Purslane, also called Common Porcelain, is a succulent plant, which means that it is a wonderful flowering plant to grow in dry climates, because it conserves water well. It is also very easy to take care of once the growth starts; even more pleasing, it comes in several gorgeous colors and is well known for its showy blooms. However, like all plants, this one also requires some special care; if you provide it with the space and light it needs, remove dead leaves and protect it from weeds, you can appreciate its rugged beauty all summer long.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing Portulaca
Step 1. Find the purslane that's right for you
This plant is known for its beauty and resistance; it adapts well to almost all climates and amply rewards those who care for it by offering beautiful blooms. However, it has some peculiarities, so you have to pay even more attention to make sure that the garden is able to support it.
- Purslane is a succulent plant that retains water in its large fleshy leaves, which means it is fine even if you forget to water it. It can grow in poor soil or even on rocky soils; however, in very rainy weather it may drown.
- It grows little in height, rarely exceeds 15 cm; she is suitable for growing in pots and around the perimeter of the house, but does not require a lot of attention per se.
- It can absorb carbon dioxide from car exhausts very efficiently and for this reason it is sometimes planted along the median or in parking lots.
- Although some purslane seed varieties are edible to humans, this plant is toxic to animals; do not bury it where dogs or cats could eat it.
Step 2. Organize the arrangement in the garden
Now that you have more information and are ready to plant it, find the right place. Since she loves sun exposure, be sure to put her in a sunny spot for at least part of the day; if you are considering placing it in a patio planter, be sure to keep it in front, as it grows little in height.
- To find out how many plants you need to plant along the perimeter, measure the length of the garden in meters and divide by three: the result is the number of purslane you need to fill the flower bed, leaving enough space between one plant and another. You don't have to worry though, as it grows fast and therefore the space won't stay empty for a long time.
- It is not necessary to plant it outside, it is also very beautiful in pots, as long as it remains well exposed to sunlight.
Step 3. Decide if you want to plant seeds or seedlings
If you are already a bit experienced gardener, you can decide to sow it; if, on the other hand, you prefer to start with a little advantage, the seedlings are more suitable; There are positive and negative aspects in both cases, so consider starting with the phase that best suits your needs.
- Seeds are cheaper and you can start growing them (indoors or outdoors) anytime you want; however, it can be difficult to wait two weeks for them to start germinating and then wait an additional month until the seedlings become robust enough to be transferred.
- Ready-to-transplant seedlings are easier to manage and already healthy enough, as they have already completed the germination process at the nursery and are therefore also more expensive.
Step 4. Get the purslane
You can buy them at garden centers, as they are very popular summer plants, although they can be difficult to find at supermarkets. You can also find the seeds in nurseries or garden centers, as well as at online retailers.
Part 2 of 3: Plant purslane
Step 1. Start the seeds indoors
If you decide to plant the seeds and live in a region with long winters, you should start growing indoors; in this way, the seedlings will germinate in the heat and will be protected until the right moment to bury them outside. You should find specific instructions for your chosen variety on the package itself, but generally all species require similar techniques.
- Place the seeds on dry, shallow soil (a few centimeters are fine) without covering them, keeping them at room temperature.
- You can sprinkle them with a little water every few days, but you don't need much.
- They should start germinating within a couple of weeks, but wait another month before relocating the seedlings.
Step 2. Wait until the last frost is over before taking them outside
Purslane is suitable for temperate summer climates; since she needs very little water, even a simple chill can kill her easily. Keep the seedlings indoors until you are sure the ground is no longer freezing and treat them as if they were outside: make sure they are exposed to full sun and sprinkle them with a little water every now and then.
Step 3. Plant them outside
Once the danger of other frosts has been averted, it is time to plant the seeds or seedlings outdoors. Make sure each seed has enough space (30cm is fine) and cover them with very little soil; they should start thriving very quickly.
- If you live in a temperate climate, you can plant the seeds directly; it is enough to scatter them on the ground and cover them with a light layer of earth.
- If you are transferring the seedlings (germinated at home or at the nursery) to warm soil, dig a small hole the size of the pot they are in, then take them out of the container by taking it at the base and buried in the location you created.
Step 4. Check that the roots are well placed
Get organized to "pamper" the little purslane during the first days of outdoor life. For about a week, water them every day, since the roots have not yet expanded to the extent necessary to guarantee water to the whole plant; after this first week, you can water them less often.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Portulaca
Step 1. Water the seedlings
You must try to simulate the frequency of rains in a desert environment, watering thoroughly and waiting for the soil to dry before wetting them again; the ideal is to irrigate them on average once a week. Make sure they aren't over-exposed to water running off other plants that need more hydration.
Step 2. Keep pets away
Not only is it a shame to lose flowers, but this plant is also toxic and could poison your four-legged friends. You may have already planted the seedlings in an area that your pets cannot reach, but you still need to make sure that those in the neighborhood can't get close too.
Step 3. Remove the dead parts
This is one of the few tasks you need to do on a regular basis once the plant is well established in the ground; manually remove the flowers that have wilted to allow the plant to replace them with new ones. To proceed, firmly grab a dried flower and pull it firmly; it should come off easily, leaving room for new buds.
Save some flowers if you want to use the seeds the following year. The seeds must be fully ripe on the plant. Do not tear off the withered flowers if you plan to collect the seeds
Step 4. Remove the weeds
Purslane is quite versatile, like many weeds, but it could choke if you don't get rid of the plants that invade its space. Remove weeds every week at a minimum; the amount of water absorbed by the soil and its fertility are factors that affect the amount of unwanted plants that grow in your garden.
Step 5. Repeat the process the following year
Most purslane varieties do not survive the winter; you can then plant it again the following year, even using the seeds you collected from the dead flowers. It is sufficient to crush the latter to extract the seeds and put them in a bag, to keep them in a cool and dry place until the time of sowing the following year.
