How to grow China Rose or Portulaca?

When we think about China rose, immediately a small but beautiful yet multicoloured flower. When I went to my native at Junnar (Dist. Pune, MH, India), I found this flower for the first time and I loved it like anything. Immediately, I took cuttings from it and planted them in my home balcony garden at Mumbai. The most important characteristic of this plant is that honeybees and butterflies are very much attracted to it. Many colours such as White, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Red, etc.are available for this plant. These plants are native to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Portulaca flowers are easy to grow and enjoy

How to do potting of China rose?

The important key feature of this plant is that it grows in a very small space. Once the rainy season is over, you can get cutting of this plant and do potting. Seeds of this plant are also available. But if you sow the seeds, flowering to the plants takes more time.  

China rose is grown in a wide range of soils. Well-drained soil is the ideal soil for this plant. In the 6 to 8 inch pot, you can grow China rose easily. Especially, pot with longer width than depth will be useful to grow this plant. This plant coveres entire area of pot in just few months. 

Take pot of either soil or plastic. Drill around 5 to 6 holes at bottom of pot for better drainage of water. Excess water is harmful for plant. After this, spread layer of stones or medium sized river sand. Then add mixture of fine river sand, black soil, vermi compost or compost, etc. After this, make a hole of 1 to 1.5 inch deep using a stick and then insert cutting of china rose in it. Cover the surroundings with soil mixture.  Sunlight and Climate Climate is most important factor. Since this plant is originated from a tropical zone, hot climate is favourable to grow China rose in pot or ground. In order to get best bloom you should place it where sunlight of minimum 4 hours and maximum 8 hours is available. If sunlight of less than 4 hours is there, then flowering will not be induced in this plant or you will get less sized flowers.

Watering Your China rose will need daily watering in warm weather. If standing or clogged water is there, then its greatest enemy of this plant. If excess water is given to plant then this damages root system of plant and roots will die due to fungal and bacterial infection and ultimately plant dies. Periodic deep watering is essential for plant to grow. You do not need to water often for proper China rose care. The cylindrical foliage of the china rose or portulaca flower retains moisture very well, thus, regular watering is not needed. When they are watered, just a light watering will do, as their root zone is very shallow. Pruning and Trimming Along with watering, judicious pruning is sufficient for this plant to give bloom. The plant needs trimming as the shoots grow in different directions. It is always better to prune or trim the plant after flowering. This will induce more branches and flowering.

Fertilizers This plant is easy to grow. Ample amount of well decomposed compost, and vermi compost are sufficient for this plant to bloom. However, if you want flowers then use potassium based fertilizers or use onion peel or banana peel fertilizer.  Pest Management  This plant is almost disease free. However, white flies are common pests attacking this plant. Easiest way to get rid of them is washing plant with strong water sprayer mist. You can also use spray of Neem oil and handwash or soap to counteract many such pests. Important Tips

• Judicious use of water to the plant

• Well-drained soil

• Ample amount of sunlight

• Pruning regularly after flowering

Friends, if you implement these things, then you will get bloom every time for china rose and also guests such as honeybees, sunbirds, sparrows, and even butterflies will visit your garden. So what are you waiting for! Start growing your china rose right away! Happy Gardening!