Purslane - garden flowers, how they bloom and how they grow

Garden purslane by nature and people was created in order to cover the soil with a bright floral carpet that does not require special care. Creeping bushes survive in hot climates and droughts, are not afraid of sudden temperature changes, can reproduce by self-seeding and are able to occupy all the free space in the garden in 2-3 seasons.

Origin and appearance of purslane flowers

A native of South America, a long time ago settled in Europe as a popular succulent, decorating gardens and summer cottages. In the time of Hippocrates, leathery thick stems and leaves of purslane were used to heal wounds, treat snake bites, they were used to prepare decoctions and use them for insomnia.

What does purslane look like (flowers)

Purslane has long been known in India and China, in the Caucasus and southern Russia, in the Mediterranean and Australia. In some countries, the flower is known under the names of dandur, rugs, gulbiyor. The botanical community gave the flower the Latin name "Portúlaca" and assigned it to the Portulacov family.

How purslane blooms

Decorative purslane has needle-like bright green fleshy leaves, green or pinkish thick stems from 10 to 45 cm long, large double or simple flowers in the form of a funnel. The color of flowers is varied, nature has not spared the most beautiful shades for this plant: from snow-white to fuchsia.

Purslane flowers bloom in June, herbaceous bushes bloom continuously, continuing until the first frost. The buds open in sunny clear weather. The lush bloom of each flower lasts only one day - from morning until dusk. Then the flower fades, the next day others bloom. In place of the flower, a seed capsule is formed.

Purslane in a pot

Purslane: perennial or annual

Purslane in the harsh Russian climate in the open field grows as an annual plant. If in the south of the country it can overwinter in the form of a perennial shrub, then in Siberia the same variety will need to be re-grown every year. Therefore, it is possible to assert that this or that purslane is an annual or perennial plant only with certain reservations.

Hybrid purslane - a flower grown as a perennial, will grow in one pot for several years, but its flowering, even with artificial supplementary lighting to increase the length of the day, will not be as colorful as that of the same growing in open ground.

An annual purslane or perennial is able to overwinter without flowering in a potted apartment, and then bloom on the windowsill with the onset of summer.Some indoor hybrids are kept in the house in the fall and winter, and with the onset of warmth, they are exposed directly in the planting containers to the street or taken out to the flower bed.

Flowering purslane

Popular varieties of flower purslane

Picturesque terry purslane is widely used in landscape design. Ampel varieties of perennial purslane with cascading shoots, planted in pots or flowerpots, decorate gazebos and walls of houses, balconies. Pots with large-flowered purslane are used on terraces, displayed on windows.

Terry purslane

Colorful shrubs, whose flowers are collected in terry inflorescences that resemble roses or miniature peonies, are very popular with flower growers. Plants of this species have pointed tubular leaves, fusiform branched root system. Flowers love warmth and a lot of light, but they can bloom even in cloudy weather.

The most popular of the terry representatives is Pink terry pink. A well-proven double hybrid with an orange dark core Cream, a bright orange hybrid of Mango. Flamenco and Cherry hybrids have long flowering and fluffy inflorescences of various shades.

Pink speckled flower

Large-flowered purslane

You can fully show the beauty of large-flowered ampelous purslane bushes when equipping pergolas - garden arches of flowers. To grow, and then constantly admire how large representatives of the genus Portúlaca bloom, many indoor varieties are planted in spacious balcony containers. Not only do beauty lovers create a holiday in front of their eyes, they do not forget that in this way you can show the purslane flowers in all their splendor.

Large-flowered species of Portulaca Grandiflora include non-double and semi-double varieties and hybrids of white-flowered, Slendens, Sanglo, Kalambur, royal, Fairy, Illusion, Amber Coast, Scheherazade. The flowers of these plants are 4 to 7 cm in diameter.

Ampel purslane

Growing purslane flowers in the open field

The main condition for the successful flowering of multi-colored rugs is good lighting. Plants are not afraid of the hot tropical sun. In warm regions of temperate climates, mixtures of purslane thrive on the southern slopes of alpine hills, along curbs and paths, on raised lawns. Only a few species of Portúlaca bear shade.

Planting seeds in the ground

Natural reproduction of purslane by seeds in the ground is inherent in weed plant species, which are often used as vegetable garden crops that do not require any maintenance and watering. Cultivars are propagated by seeds only in warm areas. After all, thin weak seedlings stop their growth already at 10 ° C and can die with recurrent frosts.

It will take about two weeks for the seeds to germinate and seedlings to appear. The growing season before flowering is also long - at least two months. Therefore, in order for the plants to develop, and the buds to open with the onset of warmth, it is necessary to sow seeds in the soil at the end of February, at the beginning of March. Warm weather is not established everywhere at this time.

If the sowing of purslane seeds was nevertheless carried out at a very early date, then care should be taken to ensure that the seedlings do not freeze out. The beds with them are kept under the film until the onset of stable average positive temperatures.

Where and in what soil is it better to plant a purslane

Purslane is not picky about soils, it grows on any, but it will bloom profusely and brightly on light sandy loam. Purslane and stony soils are suitable.It grows poorly on clayey and heavy dense soils without arrangement of drainage, because it does not tolerate stagnant moisture in the root zone. Too fertile and peaty soils are not suitable for purslane.

Bright carpet of flowers

Growing from seedlings

To obtain seedlings at home, sowing seeds is carried out from the end of February. At this time, the length of daylight hours does not yet correspond to the normal conditions for plant growth, therefore, lamps are prepared in advance for illuminating seedlings and a place on the southern or eastern windowsill.

Seating containers are prepared - low plastic, wooden boxes and pots. They are washed in a pink solution of potassium permanganate, filled with ready-made soil substrate and drainage.

As a soil, you can use a mixture of washed dried sand with the addition of turf or leaf soil. A few days before starting work, the soil is well moistened, allowed to dry out so that at the time of sowing it does not stick together in a lump, and the top layer is lightly tamped.

Planting seeds for seedlings at home

Purslane seeds are very small in size; in self-seeding conditions they spill out onto the soil surface and germinate well in the light. At the same time, they remain viable for up to 30 years. Therefore, when sowing in a box or pot, the seeds are not buried in the ground, but only slightly sprinkled with a thin layer of dry sand. Then they are sprayed from a spray bottle and covered with transparent plastic and glass to create the conditions of a mini-greenhouse with constantly moistened soil.

Seedling containers until the emergence of sprouts can be in a semi-dark warm room. After the appearance of the first green loops, boxes with seedlings are taken out to a well-lit place with a temperature of at least 20-22 ° C. The film or glass is periodically lifted, if necessary, the sprouts are sprayed with standing water at room temperature.

If the seedlings begin to stretch, the duration of the daylight period is increased and the air temperature is slightly reduced. You will have to take care of young plants with attention, avoiding hypothermia, overheating or waterlogging of the soil.

When the crops are thickened, the plants will not receive the amount of air and light necessary for normal development. In this case, after the appearance of 2-3 normal leaves, the sprouts dive into more spacious containers. Seedlings are deepened by cotyledon leaves, making sure that the plants do not suffer from a lack of moisture.

Seedlings of purslane after picking

Pre-hardening of seedlings

Hardening is carried out outdoors in sunny weather. For this, balconies or open areas of the garden can be used. The first time boxes with seedlings are taken out into the street for 5-10 minutes. Gradually, within 10 days, the duration of the plants' stay in natural conditions is increased to 5-6 hours.

Planting seedlings in open ground

Planting of seedlings to a permanent growing place is carried out after the onset of suitable climatic conditions. Before planting purslane seedlings, organic or mineral fertilizing containing nitrogen is added to the planting holes two weeks before planting. This will facilitate the processes of rooting and vegetative development of the purslane.

Before planting the plants, the soil is moistened. A distance of 15-20 cm is maintained between the plants. If the plants have overgrown, they are deepened so that 2/3 of the stem is on the surface of the ground. After planting the seedlings, regular surface watering is carried out.

Seedlings before planting in the ground

Caring for flowers in the garden

Ornamental purslane is a ground-covering flowering herb that prevents other grasses from developing.Caring for them does not require regular weeding, loosening the soil, and frequent top dressing. The plant will only need watering and supervision so that the ripe seeds do not fall uncontrollably to the soil.

Watering mode

Purslane in the open field will grow without regular watering. If the plant is planted in pots or hanging flowerpots, then constant moistening of the soil substrate is indispensable. Flowers are watered as the soil dries up, the water should be at room temperature. In order to prevent root rotting, watering is not carried out in the evening. Spraying the leaves after sunset is the best option. In the mornings, root soil moistening is carried out.

How to feed purslane for lush flowering

Purslane in nature grows on depleted soils and does not require any additional feeding. But under natural conditions it does not bloom so brightly, does not tie as many buds as in the garden near the house under the constant supervision of a gardener. The fertilizer applied to the planting hole is usually enough for the plant to release its first buds. With the beginning of flowering, it is necessary to feed with complex fertilizers for flowering plants.

Is it possible to save purslane in winter

In a temperate climate in winter, it is impossible to keep a purslane outdoors. The plant can be transplanted into a pot and placed on a warm loggia or window sill in the room above the radiator. The location of the flower should have access to scattered sunlight for at least 12 hours. Regular watering with warm water should be carried out. In the spring, the plant is again planted in open ground.

In order to grow and not lose the favorite types of purslane, not to acquire new planting material, they use the method of spring cuttings. To do this, you will need to dig a purslane, growing it in the future will take place in a house or apartment. The bush is transplanted together with a lump of earth into a previously prepared flower pot. In early spring, under suitable conditions, the plant is cuttings.

The bush is cut into twigs up to 10 cm long, the lower leaves are torn from them. Root germination is carried out either in water or in wet sand.

How to propagate purslane

In addition to propagation by cuttings, sowing seeds are used to grow seedlings or directly to the place of permanent cultivation. Growing, breeding and caring for a purslane is not considered too difficult, but it still requires some skills and knowledge.

How to collect and store purslane seeds

You should not use the seeds of hybrid plants, their seeds do not retain the characteristics of mother bushes. Seeds of varietal flowers are harvested until the seeds crack. The boxes, ready to open, become dark in color. They are torn off when they are just beginning to turn brown, placed in paper or gauze bags or pouches. The spilled seeds are stored in paper bags at room temperature, normal humidity, without access to sunlight.

Seed pods of purslane

Problems with the cultivation of purslane

The difficulties that can be created by a purslane, planting and caring for which in the open field were not skilled enough, can be very serious. A plant planted in the shade will have faded rare flowers, its leaves will begin to turn yellow. You can only change anything by transplanting bushes to a suitable place well-lit by the sun. Why yellowing of the leaves occurs, it is required to decide after examining the bushes.

Why purslane leaves turn yellow

Yellowed purslane leaves may indicate that the plant needs to either be fed, because the flowers and fruits have taken nutrients from the leaves, or not to flood the roots with a lot of water. In the latter case, the roots rot and cannot raise food from the soil to the leaves. The plant will look sluggish and slow down its development.

Bright purslane

How can you get rid of pests from purslane?

Leaves and stems of Portúlaca are damaged by mealybugs, aphids, whitefly larvae. To scare away insects, decoctions from the stalks of garlic, tobacco dust are used. A few drops of birch tar are diluted in 10 liters of water and sprayed on the plants before sunset. Systemic insecticides are used to destroy pests. When using them, follow the manufacturer's instructions and use protective equipment without fail.

Purslane blooming in a garden or growing as a vegetable crop is a decoration of a personal plot or a tasty and healthy food product. But the weed under the same name becomes a vicious enemy, a long struggle with which it takes a lot of time and effort. Therefore, before planting purslane, you should make sure that useful and beautiful plants do not turn into weeds.