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Balloon Flower: How to Grow and Care For? 

 May 16, 2022

By  admin

A balloon flower is a perennial plant that produces an above-ground inflorescence with a single round, tubular or bell-shaped blossom. It’s easy to grow and care for these flowers in your garden because they don’t need much attention.

Balloon flowers are one of the most popular flowers in the world. They are beautiful, easy to grow, and can be found in a variety of colors. Balloon flower seeds come in many colors too. It is easy to grow these flowers from seed.

Balloon Flower: How to Grow and Care For?

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Balloon Flowers are a horticultural fad in the United States that originated in China, Korea, Japan, and Russia. The Campanulaceae family, which includes these flowers, includes bellflower and lobelia. Chinese and Japanese bellflowers are named from their inflated balloon-like buds that blossom into starry bell-like petals.

We’ll talk about how to cultivate balloon flowers in your lawn or garden. We’ll also discuss the numerous ways these flowers may be cared for so that they can provide you with a colorful display throughout the summer.

But, before we get into the specifics of producing and Balloon Flower Maintenance, let’s go through the basics and the many sorts.

Contents

Information for Beginners

Name in general Japanese bellflower, Chinese bellflower, and balloon flower
Scientific name Grandiflorus Platycodon
Family Family Campanulaceae (bellflower)
Duration Perennial
Type Perennial herbaceous
Zones of hardiness USDA 3- 8
Soil specifications Soil that is moist, rich, loamy, clay-based, and well-drained
pH of the soil 5.5–7.5
Height limit 1– 2 1/2 ft.
Width 1–1 1/2 ft.
It’s blooming season! Summer season
Color of bloom Pink, white, and blue-violet
Native to Russia, China, Korea, and Japan

About

Do not be fooled by their name: these are not balloon flowers. We say this because these plants are disease resistant and resilient enough to grow with little to no human intervention. 

Balloon flowers get their name from their closed buds, which look like miniature hot-air balloons before they blossom. These plants will provide a dash of color and an aesthetic sense to your yard.

Children are drawn to these plants because they may pop the buds for pleasure by pushing the sides, which causes them to burst open with a satisfying popping sound. Balloon Flower Growing with youngsters may therefore be a lot of fun.

Balloon flower plants have many uses. These are grown as ornamentals, and they are used in traditional cuisines and medicines in several regions of the globe.  

In Korea, for example, these plants’ roots are preserved in sugar, pickled, or used as a tonic vegetable in soups. Its leaves are also a common ingredient in many Japanese salads.

Balloon Flower Varieties

Balloon flowers are a visual delight, and any nature enthusiast will find it difficult to resist them. It is full of color splendor and grandeur. These blooms have five unique pointed petals that blossom like beautiful brackets. 

Now, in this section, we’ll look at the several Balloon Flower Varieties that can be grown for added diversity in the garden.

Double Blue (#1)

This cultivar is known as the Double blue balloon flower because it has two violet-blue petals. The unique balloon-shaped buds of the Platycodon genus make this kind simple to recognize. The Double blue plant may grow up to 30 inches tall and can be used in a flower garden with other perennial blooms.

Fuji Blue (#2)

Fuji Blue is a hardy Platycodon that is pest and disease resistant. Purple blossoms with a faint transparent appearance, giving the petals a more tactile appearance. Because of their attractive appearance, these plants are often seen in gardens and flower beds.

Hakone Double Blue (#3)

Hakone double blue is a hybrid between two different Balloon Flower Varieties, giving it a more complex blossom with ten petals rather than five. With little maintenance, the flowers can be grown alone or in groups on top of stalks all summer long.

Hakone Double White (#4)

Unlike other balloon flower kinds, the Hakone Double White has pure, sparkling white blossoms. Their buds, though, are still a vivid blue hue. These plants are also hardy, however they are susceptible to frost. Warmer conditions, on the other hand, are ideal for them.

Mother of Pearl #5

Mother of Pearl, often known as ‘Perlmutterschale,’ is an uncommon Grandiflorus Platycodon. This variety produces large pale pink blooms with darker pink veins.

Sentimental Blue (#6)

To begin with, they are a smaller version of the balloon plant, and they are not emotional. Throughout the summer, they reach a height of 6-12 inches and produce several bright blue blooms that are about 3 inches large.

#7. Apoyama

Apoyama is a Grandiflorus Platycodon variety that is particularly delicious. This species is used in Japanese cuisine as a seasoning and herb to prepare a certain Japanese alcoholic beverage, whereas succulent roots can be eaten. Also, they are frequently used in salads and soups.

Apoyama Misato Purple, #8

Although Apoyama Misato is native to East Asia, it is widely grown in North American gardens. It blooms later in the spring and has deeper purple flowers. The blossoms are gorgeous, easy to cultivate, and delightful.

#9. Komachi

Dark blue flowers that never open characterize the Komachi cultivar. Instead, when pressed, the flowers maintain their balloon form and make a pleasant bursting sound. Furthermore, Komachi is a deer-resistant, easy-to-grow perennial plant.

Fairy Snow #10

It’s a dwarf balloon flower cultivar with a height of 6-10 inches. White blooms with a diameter of 1.5 inches are produced by the Fairy Snow cultivar. With orbicular-shaped leaves, the plant blooms for a long period.

Also see: 20 Beautiful Rose-Looking Flowers

Balloon Flower Nutritional Value

As stated above, balloon flowers or Grandiflorus Platycodon are edible in some parts of the world. They generally use the roots and leaves for culinary purposes. And in the eastern parts of the world, people use the blossoms for making desserts. It is the most popular namul vegetable, and it is utilized extensively in Japanese and Korean cuisines. 

The flower and its roots, on the other hand, are loaded with calcium, fiber, iron, proteins, and a variety of minerals and vitamins. Its various analgesic, anxiolytic, and fever-reducing properties boost its nutritional value. Balloon flowers are especially good to persons with weak immune systems, such as the elderly and small children.

Conditions of Growth Flowers in Balloons

Let’s look at the best circumstances for producing balloon flowers before we get into the procedure of growing them. This would allow us to prepare for such situations and guarantee that our plants thrive.

1. The location

So, where to plant these perennial flowering plants? Well, Grandiflorus Platycodon flourishes best when planted in a well-lit area. Therefore, choose a dirt and debris-free location that receives full sunlight. 

Apart from that, look for an area with loamy, rich, and well-drained soil. Also, make sure the region won’t get clogged with water, since balloon flower plants don’t like moist soil. 

#2. Natural light

As previously said, your plant will grow in a location that gets strong sunshine all day. These plants, however, need at least 6- 8 hours of direct sunshine every day. However, make sure the sun isn’t blistering hot enough to burn the leaves. As a result, moderate shade, particularly in the afternoon, should be preferred. 

#3. Soil

Balloon flowers like organically rich, loamy soil that drains well. They don’t perform well in clay, which is compacted and thick. It’s preferable to keep the soil wet but not soggy since these plants are prone to root rot.

#4. Spacing

Although spacing is not that concerning in the case of  Grandiflorus Platycodon, it is preferable to plant them a foot apart from each other. It would provide them enough space to grow and flourish without crowding much. The spacing should be based on the variety of the balloon flower plants and can be increased to even 75 cm. 

#5. pH level

In terms of pH, you should aim for a range of 5.5 to 7.5 in your soil. 

#6. Temperature & Humidity

Balloon flower thrives in climates with typical 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures. These plants thrive in zones 5 through 8 in North America. And although hardy, frost can damage young plants and cause established plants to die back in the fall. On the other hand, Grandiflorus Platycodon may grow in both wet and dry environments as long as you offer them good moist soil. 

Balloon Flower Growing

Now, let’s move on to planting Grandiflorus Platycodon or balloon flowers in the garden.

You may start by purchasing these plants from a local nursery or beginning with seeds. However, we recommend going with the nursery Balloon flowers, which can be planted immediately in the ground after the winter is through. They may be planted any time of year, from spring to summer, although they may not bloom until the next year.

If you want to start your plant from seeds, you’ll need to start the procedure inside for six to eight weeks. When the weather permits, you may securely move the container outdoors or plant the seeds in your garden after the weather has warmed up. These plants take a long time to develop and flourish from seeds, so they won’t bloom the first year they’re planted.

Balloon Flower Propagation

#1. Seeds for Propagation

Balloon flower plants may be produced from seeds, but not the most common method of propagation, if you have the patience to wait a year for the blossoms!

Prepare the seeds in the early spring, around six to eight weeks before the latest projected frost date in your area. You may use standard potting soil for this technique. Cover the seeds with 1/16 inch dirt and spread them out on a planting tray. To germinate the seeds, keep the soil wet and the tray in a warm environment.

The first seedlings will sprout after around two weeks. Before transferring them to a bigger container or straight into your garden, give them another two to three weeks. Make careful to transfer the fresh seedlings once the frost has gone.

#2. Cuttings Propagation

Stem cuttings are another simple approach to produce balloon flowers. Begin the procedure in late April. Using sterile garden pruners, cut 2 to 4 inch long stems. Remove the lowest half of the leaves off the stem and immerse it in the rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in a container filled with fresh, well-draining potting soil after roots develop. 

Keep the soil wet by watering it on a regular basis. Cut cautiously once new leaves appear that are robust enough to resist tugging the stem. Then, immediately in the garden or a container, plant your little Balloon flower plant and care for it as you would a mature plant.

#3. Divisional Propagation

Because the roots of balloon flower plants are often weak, division is not a preferred method of propagation. You can still go for it if you have adequate experience.

You might start by slicing a root part without uprooting the plant altogether. To enable the new plant to develop, be sure to remove at least 0.5 inch of the root. Put the plant in a container right away and water it well.

Dig a hole twice the depth of the root ball and twice the diameter of the plant’s root if you want to grow your baby balloon flowers in the garden. Fill the hole with garden soil and water it well.

Container gardening

Balloon flowers can well be grown in a container. These pants will throve happily in any medium-sized pot for a year or two. However, transplanting Grandiflorus Platycodon can be a complex process and should be avoided because the root systems of these plants are fragile. 

Water your plant on a regular basis and maintain it in a sunny place. You should transfer your potted Balloon flower to the garden when it outgrows its container. To avoid damaging the flower, go gently and cautiously.

Also read: 15 Backyard Hydroponic Flowers

Balloon Flower Maintenance

So, have you decided whether or not to cultivate magnificent balloon flowers? It’s now time to look at how to care for these plants. As previously said, caring for balloon flower plants is not difficult, but some fundamental considerations should be made. 

No. 1: Watering

Balloon flowers are constantly thirsty for water, so keep that in mind. This should not be used as an excuse to overwater them, since damp soil may lead to root rot. Instead, take care to water your plant regularly to maintain the soil wet.

The best way to water your Balloon flower is to use a soaker faucet to gently and carefully wet it. Your plant will not perish if you don’t water it for a few days. The blossoms will fade if the earth dries up entirely.

2. Fertilization

You may not need to fertilize your plant if it is growing in rich, healthy soil. Furthermore, balloon flowers are light feeders. In the fall, though, you may add compost to help these plants produce additional flowers. In the early spring, an organic, granular, slow-release fertilizer is also an excellent option.

#3. Pruning

Pruning isn’t necessary unless you want your plant to have a certain appearance. In the late spring, use a sterile pruner or garden shear to cut down tall stems by roughly half. This will give your plant a stockier appearance.

Deadheading (#4)

Deadheading balloon flower plants may be required. Pinching off finished blossoms and withering stems, on the other hand, can help your plant bloom and expand more effectively. 

#5. Winterizing & mulching

Mulching may be a component of the winterization procedure for your plants. After the blooming season is finished and you’ve trimmed your plant, cover the roots with a thick layer of mulch to keep the roots wet and warm throughout the winter months. Remember to let your plant flourish by exposing it at the beginning of the spring season.

#6. Pests & issues

Although balloon flowers are resilient and resistant to most pests and diseases, they do have certain difficulties.

Root rotting may be caused by excessive irrigation. Also, if you leave your plant in moist soil for an extended period of time, the root system may decay. As a consequence, keeping the soil damp but not soggy is crucial. Adding sand to the soil may also help with drainage.

Snails and snugs may find your balloon flower to be too delectable, and they may eat the sensitive young leaves of this beautiful plant. Using a beer trap or iron phosphorus to protect your plant may be beneficial. Also, see whether your plant is overly damp, since this might increase the slug and snail issue. Handpicking snails that are munching on the leaves might also help you avoid them. 

Not only snails, but even deer, find balloon flowers appealing. Protect the young leaves from wild animals. However, mature leaves will not attract this problem.

Also see: Expert Picks: Top 7 Best Backpack Sprayers for Your Backyard

Q1. What is the rate of growth of balloon flower plants?

You won’t have to wait long if you plant your plants in the early spring after the fear of frost has gone. The plants should bloom throughout their first season. The flowers will not develop until the following year if you plant them in the autumn.

Q2. When is the optimum time to plant these particular plants?

Ans: After the fear of frost has gone, the ideal season is the beginning of spring.

Q3. Can you repot balloon flower plants?

Yes, they can be; nevertheless, they should not be. You should not disrupt balloon flower plants too much since their root structure is intricate and sensitive. However, once your indoor plant matures, you may transplant it straight to the ground.

Q4. Can these plants be grown indoors?

Yes, you can grow these plants in pots inside. To learn more, go to the sections above.

Summary

If blooming plants are your weak spot and you’re looking for low-maintenance plants, go for balloon flowers. Balloon flowers come in a variety of varieties, enabling you to plant the ones you choose in your yard. Even if you are a novice gardener, these plants will not frighten you. Plant them and give them the attention they need.

You’re finished! Simply relax and enjoy the blooming display.

The “how long do balloon flowers bloom” is a question that many people have been wondering. The answer to the question, however, is not so simple. Depending on how you grow them and care for them, they could last anywhere from 1-3 weeks.

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Emil Schoene


Born and raised in Austin, TX I come from a background of home renovation. By helping my family in my younger years with their construction business, I learned the ropes quickly and as I grew it became my passion that I still do today. Looking to share my knowledge with others. I invite you to leave comments on any post as I know you will have questions that you are not finding anywhere else.

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