Superbells Tangerine Punch is a vibrant, free-flowering plant that brings continuous color to garden spaces. Gardeners appreciate its prolific blooming and low-maintenance nature, making it a popular choice for a steady display of blooms throughout the growing season.
Understanding Superbells Tangerine Punch
Superbells Tangerine Punch is a Calibrachoa hybrid known for its striking appearance. Its small, petunia-like flowers are tangerine orange on the petal edges, deepening to a burgundy-orange or red eye at the center. This plant grows 6 to 12 inches tall and spreads 12 to 24 inches, forming a compact, mounding, and trailing habit.
It blooms continuously from spring until the first hard frost, offering consistent color. The plant is valued for its heat tolerance and self-cleaning flowers, which means no deadheading is required.
Superbells Tangerine Punch Care
Light Needs
Superbells Tangerine Punch performs best in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. While it tolerates some partial shade, reduced light often leads to fewer flowers and leggy growth. Maximizing sun exposure ensures a robust and floriferous plant.
Watering
Consistent moisture is important for Superbells Tangerine Punch, but avoid waterlogging. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot, which can occur if roots remain too wet.
Soil Requirements
Well-draining soil is crucial for Superbells Tangerine Punch. These plants thrive in soil rich in organic matter and prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-6.2). Containers and hanging baskets are often ideal due to their drainage needs.
Fertilizing
Regular feeding supports continuous blooming. Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every one to two weeks during the growing season. Ensure the fertilizer includes micronutrients like iron. For landscape plantings, a slow-release granular fertilizer in spring and mid-summer provides sustained nutrition.
Pruning for Performance
Superbells Tangerine Punch flowers are self-cleaning and do not require deadheading. Occasional light trimming encourages bushier growth and stimulates more blooms. If plants appear leggy, trimming them back by about one-third promotes new growth. This maintenance, often done in mid-summer, helps maintain a full display.
Designing with Superbells Tangerine Punch
Superbells Tangerine Punch is versatile in garden design due to its mounding and trailing habit. It excels in containers, hanging baskets, and as a colorful “spiller” plant in mixed arrangements.
This plant pairs well with other annuals that share similar light and water requirements. Companion plants include petunias, verbena, angelonia, and lantana. Foliage plants like sweet potato vine can add contrasting texture and color. Superbells Tangerine Punch also attracts pollinators like hummingbirds and bees.
Troubleshooting Superbells Tangerine Punch
Yellowing leaves often indicate a nutrient deficiency, particularly iron, or an issue with soil pH. An imbalanced pH can prevent the plant from absorbing available iron, leading to yellow foliage. Applying chelated iron can help correct this deficiency.
Sparse blooming can result from insufficient light or inadequate fertilization. Ensure the plant receives at least six hours of direct sun and a consistent feeding schedule. Common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites may occasionally affect Superbells. Regular inspection and treatment with horticultural sprays can manage infestations. Root rot is a concern if the soil remains consistently wet, highlighting the need for well-draining conditions and proper watering.