Frequently Asked questions Thank you for your order! WHEN CAN I EXPECT BLOOMS? Producing vividly colored flowers from June-September, this brand new Portulaca outperforms any other Portulaca on the market with stronger stems, more flowers per plant, and a longer bloom time than any other variety and a trailing nature that gives you endless possibilities. Take your gardening experience to new heights by visiting Roberta’s Unique Gardens. Our goal is to enhance your gardening enjoyment by providing you with top quality, leading edge perennials and annuals that are suitable for your garden and home with the best service imaginable. WHERE DO YOU PLANT THESE? And with each plant growing only about 6-9” tall and 14-18” wide, this is one of the most versatile collections out there. They will grow great as border or edge lining your garden with intense color, planted as groundcover creating 15 linear feet of sheer beauty. In a planter on your patio, or in a hanging basket for all to enjoy or in your garden beds they will produce a large 20 square feet of color. Roberta’s is a 4th generation family owned business and has been one of the leading commercial exhibitors at flower and garden shows for over 50 years in the U.S. and abroad. We search the globe to find easy-to-grow plants that are unique in themselves or their variety making them nearly impossible to find elsewhere. Our passion and commitment continually asks the question, “What makes a better, unsurpassed, and more beautiful flower to behold?” DO THEY LIKE SHADE? These do not like the shade. Give them as much sun as possible. They are very drought tolerant with their succulent foliage. DO THEY LIKE WET FEET? These like very minimal water. Let them stay dry between watering. They have drought tolerant succulent foliage that makes them a perfect low maintenance plant. WHAT IS NEEDED FOR WINTER CARE? These are annuals and can’t take a freeze. In warm winter areas, plants rest from November through April. If allowed to set seed, warm winter areas will get new plants next season naturally. RobeRta’s GaRdens planting and growing guide Working with growers and breeders from all over the world, Roberta’s is able to bring you hard-to-find plants and new species that will be sweethearts for years to come. Thank you for bringing us into your home, Eric, Kevin, and Koort Wallien Happy Trails Tropical Mix Portulaca WHAT DISEASE OR EXTRA CARE IS NEEDED? Not much extra care is needed except extra time needed to enjoy their showy flowers. These are heat and drought resistant, self-cleaning, compact, non-drooping, have long continuous blooming, and are well branched. (Portulaca Happy Trails) First things First... When your plant arrives from Roberta’s, remove from the shipping box immediately. Remove plastic bag and/or sleeve from around potted plant(s). Discard any packing material clinging to the leaves or soil. Pull away any yellow or brown leaves that may have occurred during transit. If you cannot plant it into garden or larger pot within a few days, there is no need to water the pots they came in. When ready to plant, do the job as early in the day as possible to avoid extreme soil temperatures that prevent proper water uptake from the roots. Water them in well and whisper a few words of wisdom. Portulaca Happy Trails M43058_NQ.indd 1 1-800-428-9726 Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm EST Thank you for bringing us into your home www.robertasinc.com 11/5/13 10:13 AM quick reFerence plAnting guide light/sun exposure: Full Sun usdA hArdiness zones: 9 to 11 plAnting distAnce: 18-24 inches mAture height/spreAd: 6 to 9 inches tall 14 to18 inches wide ) bloom time: Late spring to mid fall plAnting instructions: Remove plastic bag and/or sleeve from around potted plant(s). Discard any packing material clinging to the leaves or soil. Treat them like cactus as far as watering them. Too much water will rot them out. (soil preparation, depth, which end is up, etc.) plAnting guide 1 Remove plastic bag and/or sleeve from around potted plant(s). Discard any packing material clinging to the leaves or soil. Pull away any yellow or brown leaves that may have occurred during transit. If you can not plant it into garden or larger pot within a few days, there is no need to water the pots they came in. 2 Treat them like cactus as far as watering them. Too much water will rot them out. In the garden choose an area where the soil will drain and dry put fast. Make sure automatic sprinklers do not wet them down. Rather than in the garden you may re-pot into large containers into 8 to 10 inch pots separately. 3 Transplant into the garden as soon as evening temperatures stay above 40F. Dig holes twice the width of the root ball and about 5 to 6 inches deep. Place them in their holes. Pack soil firmly around roots. Water them in. Plants prefer full sun to half day of sun. step step step 4 Planted now they will produce flowers in summer through fall the first year and begin a little earlier in the years to come. step continuing cAre SHELF LIFE Plant into garden or larger pots and place outside immediately after the night temperatures stay above 40 degrees. PLANT PREPARATION Remove plastic bag and sleeve from around potted plant(s). Discard any packing material clinging to the leaves or soil. Pull away any yellow or brown leaves that may have occurred during transit. If you can not plant it into garden or larger pot within a few days, there is no need to water the pots they came in. POTTED PLANTS Rather than in the garden you may re-pot into large containers. Repot the plants into at least 8 inch pots separately or together inside one larger container. SOIL Soil should be light and porous; not rich and wet. A nourishing mix of peat, sand, perlite, soil and compost is fine. GARDEN PREPARATION They prefer full sun to partial sun. PLANTING SPACING If planting in garden space 18 to 24 inches apart. PLANT HEIGHT AND WIDTH These grow about 6 to 9 inches tall and 14 to 18 inches wide. WATER In the garden they will not require watering beyond normal rainfall. Make sure automatic sprinklers do not wet them down. Treat them like cactus as far as watering them if potted. Water the plants thoroughly letting the excess water drain through the bottom of the pot. Be sure to keep excess water out of any tray underneath pot. Before watering again it must be very dry. FERTILIZER They respond to feeding with a high bloom fertilizer like Flower Magic plant food (M7503). Once a month is sufficient. TEMPERATURE ZONES 9 to 11 When nights stay above 40 degrees, place your plants outside and leave them there. They can withstand winter temperatures to 35F. LIGHTING In the summer growing season, full sun is the absolute best. BLOOMING Under correct conditions, blooming begins in summer and into fall. PRUNING Pruning is not necessary. WINTER DORMANCY These are annuals and can’t take a freeze. In warm winter areas, plants rest from November through April. If allowed to set seed, warm winter areas will get new plants next season naturally. AdditionAl reFerence Portulaca Shipped as Shown Drought tolerant Great around borders Hanging baskets Hot and sunny patio plant Rock gardens Window Boxes 10-2013-R0 Portulaca Happy Trails M43058_NQ.indd 2 11/5/13 10:13 AM
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