Care of the plant Platycodon grandiflorus or Chinese bellflower |
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The genus Platycodon, family Campanulaceae, includes a single species of herbaceous plant native to China: Platycodon grandiflorus. Common names: Chinese bellflower, Balloon flower. They are perennial herbaceous plants branched at the ends of the stems that reach 50 cm (19.68") in height. The leaves are toothed, oval in shape and bluish-green on the upper side and light green on the underside. The flowers are large (9 cm/3.54" wide) and can be white, purple, blue or pink. They bloom in summer. These easy-to-grow rustic plants are used for mixed borders, in flower beds and in pots for terraces and balconies. Platycodon grandiflorus needs partial or full sun exposure but not in the hottest hours. They resist light and occasional frosts. The soil must be well drained; use a mixture of garden substrate with 1/4 coarse sand and 1/4 peat. Planting is done in spring or autumn. Water moderately every 2 days (one glass of water per plant) during spring and summer. Reduce watering the rest of the year because the plant goes into rest. Prune lightly in autumn when the stems dry 10 cm from the ground and protect the base of plants with dry leaves in cold weather. Fertilize biweekly during spring and summer with mineral fertilizer to promote flowering. They are quite resistant plants to pests and diseases but can be attacked by aphids and mites. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring or by division also in spring; be careful with fragile roots. |
Images of the plant Platycodon grandiflorus or Chinese bellflower |
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