Portulaca, or the Ten-hour Flower, is a vibrant and resilient flower native to rural areas. With its many varieties and vibrant colors, this flower is a member of the purslane family, featuring succulent stems, multiple small branches, and vibrant, delicate petals. But why is this flower called the Ten-hour Flower, and what does it symbolize? Let’s find out!
1 The Meaning of the Ten-hour Flower
Ten-hour Flower
The Ten-hour Flower blooms in dense clusters, with each flower opening at 10 am, the time when they are at their most vibrant and beautiful. This daily routine gives the flower its charming and memorable name.
Despite its short stature, with a height ranging from 10 to 20 cm, and delicate petals, the Ten-hour Flower is a symbol of resilience, perseverance, and a strong will to thrive and find joy in life. With its positive symbolism, it’s no wonder that this flower is widely cultivated across Vietnam.
Common colors of the Ten-hour Flower include:
- Purple Ten-hour Flower
- Pink Ten-hour Flower
- Yellow Ten-hour Flower
- Red Ten-hour Flower
- Orange Ten-hour Flower
2 Classification of the Ten-hour Flower
As a popular flower in Vietnam, it’s interesting to explore the different types of Ten-hour Flowers, their colors, and their meanings. Let’s dive into the classification!
Common Ten-hour Flower
Ordinary Ten-hour Flower: Featuring small, elongated leaves and a slender stem, this variety grows quickly and comes in a variety of colors, including yellow, purple, and red.
Ordinary Ten-hour Flower
Sam Ten-hour Flower: This variety has shorter and broader leaves than the ordinary Ten-hour Flower, with dark green foliage. When in full bloom, its flowers are larger than those of the ordinary variety.
Sam Ten-hour Flower
When it comes to origin, the Ten-hour Flower has several varieties:
Thai Ten-hour Flower
With its multitude of colors and layers of petals, the Thai Ten-hour Flower resembles a miniature peony and thrives in Vietnam’s climate. This variety boasts 9 to 10 different colors and is one of the most commonly cultivated flowers in the country.
Thai Ten-hour Flower
American Ten-hour Flower
The American variety has 4 to 5 large, heart-shaped petals that spread outward. This type is also commonly grown in Vietnam.
American Ten-hour Flower
Japanese Ten-hour Flower
A rare sight in Vietnam, the Japanese Ten-hour Flower boasts unique color combinations of deep and light pinks, pale and bright yellows, and oranges. Its blooming season is brief, lasting from late spring to mid-autumn.
Japanese Ten-hour Flower
3 How to Grow the Ten-hour Flower
Growing the Ten-hour Flower
The Ten-hour Flower is easy to grow and thrives with minimal care. No complicated techniques are required—simply plant a cutting or sow seeds. Once a few plants have grown, they will self-seed and spread.
Choose well-drained, loose, and nutrient-rich soil for optimal growth. The Ten-hour Flower prefers dry conditions and will perish if waterlogged. Mixing different colors and varieties will create a lively and vibrant garden.
Propagating the Ten-hour Flower from Cuttings
Growing from Seeds
Easy and simple process of growing Ten-hour Flowers
Pro Tips
– Avoid watering the flowers when they are in full bloom as this can cause them to wilt and suffer from waterlogging. The best time to water is early in the morning.
– Fertilize once a month to ensure the plants absorb nutrients effectively, promoting larger and more abundant blooms.
Now that we’ve explored the Ten-hour Flower’s beauty and symbolism, as well as its easy cultivation, let’s embrace this vibrant flower and create colorful gardens across Vietnam!
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