Hanging basket flowers, what do you do?

[dragnlaw]

The few times I've ever tried to create baskets of hanging flowers - I have failed miserably. So I just buy them. Today when watering them I discovered I could hardly push the probe (moisture testing) into it. My SIL claims by the time you buy them they are already root bound and she has always replanted them with good soil. She's very successful with this.

I know it's early yet as I've only had them a week or two, but I'm trying to keep them well watered. I've never had this particular mix before but they seem to be a type of double bloom sun impatience. They are really crammed into those baskets. I am fertilizing them - even set the alarm on my phone to feed them, I think for now it's once a week and then later every other week (can't remember at the moment).

Am just wondering does anyone here purchase baskets ready? or do you create your own? What do you do?

I'll take and post a picture of them tomorrow when I water them.

 

[taxlady]

I haven't felt crafty enough to make a hanging basket. I have, on one or twice bought one already planted. That was when I saw a nice one on special or at least at a very reasonable price. It wasn't something I went looking for specifically.

 

[Kathleen]

I generally create my own. In years past, I've planted flowers - often some kind of begonia. This year, I planted strawberries for something different. My disclosure is that I can rarely keep anything living in the house or in a planter. To help negate this issue, I do a few things.

First, I was advised to not try a basket smaller than 14 inches (around 35-36 cm) because it was hard to regulate the water. When I start with the planter, I put down the fiber liner that fits the basket. Then I line the basket liner with some dark plastic so that it will hold water a bit. Afterwards, I put in the plants and extra dirt. Last of all, I put a water spike in with a mini wine bottle.

I just the water level in the bottles. When they are about half-empty, I empty them into the basket and refill them. Occasionally, if the soil seems very dry, I will add a cup of water in them.

Then I hang them so that they get the right amount of light. My strawberries really would benefit from some extra light. One basket has a little strawberry forming in it with flowers and budding on other stems.

 

[HeyItsSara]

we've bought as long as the price was good