Care of Hanging Baskets
Did you receive a hanging basket for Mother's Day? Many mothers (and
others) will decorate their porches, decks, and other outdoor areas with
hanging baskets this gardening season.
Whether your hanging basket has just one or many blooming plants,
care is required for best blooms throughout the growing season. Below
are some tips for growing and maintaining hanging baskets. Watering
Hanging baskets often contain several closely spaced small plants and
their roots grow quickly in the potting mix.
Typical potting mixes are light and well-drained. With a well drained
soil mix and an abundance of crowded and thirsty roots, frequent
watering is necessary, especially during the summer. When the small
plants have grown and established roots, check baskets daily for water
needs On hot sunny days it may be necessary to water more than once a
day. When watering hanging baskets, be sure to water them until water
runs out the bottom of the container. This ensures that all the roots
have access to plenty of moisture. Try not to let the soil dry out
completely. Not only will this cause the plant to wilt, it makes it more
difficult to water.
If the soil becomes too dry, it will separate from the side of the
container. In this instance, remove the basket from its location so that
you can place the basket in a tub of water for a couple of hours. This
forces water to be absorbed slowly from the bottom of the container. Do
not keep the basket in the tub of water for long periods as this
practice may increase root rot. Fertilization Plants in hanging baskets
often require frequent fertilization. Water soluble fertilizers or slow
release granular fertilizers may be used.
Ideally, complete fertilizers with a 1:2:1 ratio of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium will keep plants healthy and blooming well.
Fertilizers that are high in nitrogen should be avoided as they cause
excessive vegetative growth at the expense of flowers. Always remember
to read and follow the label directions carefully to apply appropriate
amounts of fertilizer. Deadheading Many annual species require regular
deadheading to keep plants in bloom throughout the season. Deadheading
is the removal of dead or dying flowers.
This prevents seed from forming, and can ultimately lead to more
flowers. Generally speaking, larger blooming plants like petunia and
geranium require deadheading for continual blooms. Smaller blooming
plants like lobelia and sweet alyssum are generally "self-cleaning" –
meaning deadheading is not necessary. Regardless, inspect plants as you
water and remove spent flowers, if possible. This will keep plants fresh
looking and blooming throughout summer.
Tips for Starting Your Own Hanging Baskets First, start with a good,
well-drained, potting mix. The best mixes for hanging baskets do not
contain garden soil. Instead, these soilless mixes are made up of
sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. Slow release fertilizers
may be included in a purchased mix or can be added to the mix prior to
planting.
This will insure that the plants receive regular – low-doses of
nutrients throughout the summer. Water-absorbing crystals are another
additive that may be present in a purchased mix or that can be purchased
and added separately. These crystals, while expensive, will absorb large
quantities of water and help keep the soil moist between watering.Plants
for Hanging Baskets Plants with full or trailing habits tend to be
preferred for hanging baskets. Yet, don't let that stop you from trying
something else in a hanging basket – you might be surprised at how well
it will perform! Like any plant, matching the right plant with the site
is essential. Shade loving plants will suffer in full sun, and
sun-loving plants bloom poorly in shade. |
