How to grow portulaca from seeds in containers 

Portulaca or moss rose is an annual that belongs to the Portulacaceae family. These flowers can be grown as an ornamental flower or as a ground cover. They come in a variety of colours like rose, white, red and yellow. They can grow up to 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide. These flowers are drought tolerant. Plus they are low-maintenance flowers. You can grow portulaca from seeds or from cuttings.

Grow portulaca from seeds

These flowers have shallow roots and can be grown in small containers. Portulaca seeds take 10 to 14 days to germinate. Portulaca can grow well in average soil conditions. You can either sow the seeds directly in containers or you can sow them in seed trays and later transplant them into bigger containers. The seeds have to be sowed 1/8 inch deep. If you are growing them in seed trays, you can transplant them into bigger containers after a month. These flowers can grow well in temperatures between 25°C to 34°C (77°F to 93°F).These flowers need at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight everyday. Fertilize your portulaca plants with liquid fertiliser once in 2 months to improve growth. These plants produce flowers from summer till the fall season. Make sure to deadhead the flowers to encourage more blooms. Water your plants when the soil is dry. Also, avoid overwatering as it can lead to root rot.

Pests and Diseases

Common pests that attack the portulaca plant include aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. Using insecticidal soap or neem oil can repel these pests.

Botrytis is another fungal disease that affects Portulaca. It can be prevented by allowing proper air circulation to go through the plant. If the plant is infected there is no treatment you must remove the infected part of the plant.

Portulaca can also get attacked by root-knot nematodes. This can result in plant leaves turning yellow and the plant becoming stunt. Practising crop rotation can prevent this infection.