The tallness can arrive at two feet, and this is wonderful. People love the plant for its durable purple to blue flowers that structure from expanding molded flower buds, consequently the plant's common name. Although Platycodon grandiflorus takes some care to build up, it is simple to keep up with once planted effectively.
Balloon Flowers Overview
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Botanical Name: Platycodon grandiflorus
- Common Name: Balloon flower, Chinese bellflower
- Family: Campanulaceae (bellflower)
- Mature Size: 1– 2 1/2 ft. tall, 1–1 1/2 ft. wide
- Soil Type: Loamy, rich, well-draining medium moisture
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH: 5.5–7.5 (acidic to slightly alkaline)
- Flower Time: Summer
- Hardiness Areas: 3–8 (USDA)
- Flower Color: Blue-violet, pink, white
- Native Area: Korea, China, Russia, Japan
Balloon Flower Care
When opened, the balloon plant shows up in a more conventional, star-molded structure. This star shape is surprising in the bellflower family as different kinds take after ringers. Balloon flowers have a low maintenance attitude.
Sunlight
Balloon flowers grow well in full sun yet some evening conceal in the most blazing areas is also ideal since it favors cooler summer temperatures.
Watering and Soil
Chinese bellflower leans towards somewhat acidic soil. Adding ground espresso beans will help with raising the acridity of the soil. They needn't bother with much additional watering, although it grows well if the soil gets ordinary dampness, and can accept brief times of dry spell. Watering Balloon Flowers
Balloon flowers lean toward 1/2 to 1 inch of water each week from precipitation or watering, yet they endure dry soil and will do well with substantially less water. They grow inadequately in soaked soil, particularly in the colder time of year.
Temperature
Areas with winter ice or freeze conditions should give mulch in the tumble to no less than 2-3″ top to bottom over the plant's base. It keeps the plant's top secured from the colder conditions and permits it to overwinter well.
Humidity
For these plants, utilizing soaker hoses for water systems might be of incredible advantage. The balloon flower has a profound taproot, and doing a slow, profound water system should keep you from over-watering while as yet guaranteeing that they have enough for their thirst.
Types of Balloon Flowers
Growing balloon flowers in your garden is simple and paying little heed to the type; it won't need good care. A few varieties do require more light or water than others. Here are few types of balloon flowers.
Platycodon grandiflorus: It has pale blue-green foliage. The flowers are purple with clear veining and are 5 to 6 centimeters across.
- grandiflorus Fuji series: It is particularly impervious to pests and illnesses. It’s somewhat blue-purple flowers are around 6 centimeters across. This minimized cultivar has the stature and propagates of 40 to 50 centimeters.
- grandiflorus 'Komachi': This type bears purplish 'balloons.' Call them buds or call them flowers; they never open and stay in that puffed-up state. This cultivar grows from 80 centimeters to a full meter.
- 'Nostalgic Blue': As another light-shaded blue variation, the wistful blue is a bantam type with flowers that are roughly three inches in width. When the plant is completely experienced; it may be around 6 to 8 inches in tallness. It grows well in full to fractional sun and soil that is loamy yet depletes well.
Propagating Balloon Flowers
Balloon flowers have a long taproot and do not care to be transferred, so this is certainly not an incredible plant to separate and offer. If you do partition them, don't uncover the whole plant. Also, cut off a piece of it with a blade, taking care to get a part of the root.
Pot it up, and anticipate that the plant should take a couple of seasons to sprout once more. Balloon flowers can be flourished most effectively from seed however can be propagated by cuttings or by division also.
Balloon flowers do not care for being upset whenever they have become set up in an area, so while division is conceivable, it's something I genuinely don't suggest. You are as prone to hazard serious harm to your plant.
How to Grow Balloon Flowers from Seed?
The seeds of balloon flowers are best to plant on the soil surface in one or the other spring or summer. They incline rich and wet soil and like to grow in radiant, or some concealed spaces of the garden that have good drainage. Start seeds within six to about two months before the last common spring frost date for sprouts in the principal year.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Balloon flowers are pests and sickness-safe. However, root decay can get them in case they are grown in excessively wet soil. Slugs and snails discover balloon flowers delicious, so look out for them. Not many bugs will trouble the balloon flower plant.
Indeed, the main issues will come from snails and slugs, which view youthful foliage to be delectable. To secure your platycodon plants from the slug and snail armed force, make sure to utilize organic bait to draw them away from the growing area. You can make a ring of trap around plants if you want to ward harm off.
FAQs
Are balloon flowers simple to care about?
In addition to the fact that they are not difficult to grow, these plants are not difficult to care too. Whenever wanted, they can be treated with lethargic delivery compost in spring.
How quickly do balloon flowers grow?
Pick a site that gets full sun to slight halfway shade, and burrow a 3-inch (7.6 cm.) layer of fertilizer into the soil. Scatter the seeds on the soil top and water them. You will see sprouts within two weeks.
What is the distinction between the balloon flower and the balloon plant?
The balloon flower and the balloon plant are two various species. The balloon plant is a bush that is essential for the milkweed family, grows more than 6 feet tall, and produces yellowish balls of fruit.
Can balloon flowers be grown indoors?
The balloon plant is not difficult to grow. It will flourish in the sun or half shade. This plant also leans towards cool climates in summer, so afternoon shade is a good idea for hotter areas. You can in the garden or indoors in the late winter.
