Germination
-Margarita portulaca is offered as multi-seeded pellets and as raw seed.
-Each multi-seeded pellet will generally yield 2 to 4 plants.
-Do not cover the seed.
-Light is not required, but is beneficial to germination.
-Germination takes 2 to 3 days.

Plug Production
Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.8 to 6.2 and an EC less than 0.75 (mmhos/cm with a 1:2 extraction). Portulaca is very sensitive to high salts, particularly high ammonium, during germination.

Sowing
Margarita portulaca is offered as multi-seeded pellets and as raw seed. Each multi-seeded pellet will generally yield 2 to 4 plants. Do not cover the seed. Germination takes 2 to 3 days.

Temperature
Germination: 74 to 80°F (24 to 27°C)
Cotyledon stage: 72 to 75°F (22 to 24°C)
True leaves: 68 to 72°F (20 to 22°C)
Hold plugs: 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C)

Light
Stage 1: Light (more than 10 f.c.) is not required, but beneficial for germination.
After germination: 1,000 to 2,500 f.c. (10,000 to 30,000 Lux)
Seedling maturity: Up to 5,000 f.c. (54,000 Lux).
Higher light level results in stronger seedlings.

Photoperiod
Portulaca is sensitive to short days, even during the plug stage. When daylength is shorter than critical daylength (11 hours for Margarita and 10 hours, 15 minutes for Tequila?), plants can rosette (stop growing or grow very slowly without flowering). Flowering is significantly delayed once a plant has rosetted. Once plants rosette, it will be difficult to recover from the effects even when given long day treatment and will result in delayed flowering. To prevent plants from rosetting, sow seed when the natural daylength is longer than 11 hours for Margarita and 10 hours, 15 minutes for Tequila?. If sowing earlier than suggested here, provide long day conditions during seedling production (daylength extension to 12 to 13 hours).

Soil Moisture
Adequate moisture should be used to dissolve the pellet. Keep soil evenly moist but not saturated until radicle emergence, then reduce moisture levels after the radicle penetrates the medium. After germination, allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering for best rooting. Portulaca prefers warm, high light and dry conditions. Best root growth will be obtained under these conditions. Irrigate early in the day so foliage is dry by nightfall to prevent diseases. Damping off (Rhizoctonia) is the most common problem when the plants are grown too wet.

Fertilizer
As cotyledons expand, feed 50 ppm N in a low phosphorous nitrate form fertilizer. When true leaves begin to develop, increase to 100 to 150 ppm N. Keep ammonium levels less than 10 ppm.

Growth Regulators
Growth regulators are not needed.

Growing On to Finish
Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.2 and a medium initial nutrient charge.

Temperature
Nights: 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C)
Days: 68 to 75°F (20 to 24°C)
Flower buds may not develop or open if temperatures are too low.

Light
Maintain light levels as high as possible while maintaining recommended temperatures. Flower buds may not open if light levels are too low.

Photoperiod
If purchasing plugs, transplanting late March will generally ensure the plugs have been grown under the correct daylength without any special treatment. If transplanting earlier than this, make sure that the plugs have been produced with the proper daylength as noted under Plug Production – Photoperiod. If transplanting plugs when the daylength is shorter than 11 hours (before the second week of February in the South, or the fourth week of February in the North), provide long day conditions after transplanting. Daylength extension to 12 to 13 hours can be used. Make sure that the plugs have also been produced with the proper daylength as noted under Plug Production – Photoperiod.

Irrigation
Do not overwater. Allow the media to dry thoroughly between watering. Plants can be allowed to wilt slightly after the roots reach the side of the container.

Fertilizer
Fertilize every other irrigation with 15-0-15 alternating with 20-10-20 at 150 to 200 ppm N.

Growth Regulators
PGRs are not needed. Height can be controlled by allowing the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings. Plants can be allowed to wilt slightly after the roots reach the side of the container. Height can also be controlled by withholding fertilizer, especially phosphorous and ammonium-form nitrogen.

Common Problems
Insects: Spider mites, thrips
Diseases: Rhizoctonia, Pythium

Green Thumb Tips
-Plant in full sun after all danger of frost is past.
-Space plants 10 to 12 in. (25 to 30 cm) apart in well-drained soil.
-Flowers close at night.