1. Make sure you put your basket in the right amount of light.
This is a very common mistake. People just buy a basket because they like it, not because it is the right basket for the space. Make sure to watch on a sunny day to really see how much sun you are getting in that place.
Here are some GENERAL guidelines:
Morning sun: Fuchsias, Impatiens, Bacopa, and Lobelia are great choices.
These plants DO NOT do well in direct, HOT, afternoon sun (12-4pm)!
Afternoon sun (12-4pm): Petunias, Million Bells, Geraniums
These plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day and can take the hot sun of the day.
2. Watering
Water your baskets BEFORE they get wilted! Push up on the bottom of your basket- if it feels light, it is dry. If you aren’t sure check to see if the soil feels dry- if the top inch or more of soil is dry- water right away. If your basket gets dried out it can go into shock and stop flowering.
DO NOT OVERWATER! If your basket looks wilty but is heavy you could be overwatering and the roots could be suffocating and rotting.
3. Fertilize!!
Your basket NEEDS food- and since it can’t get it from the ground, it is up to you to feed it. Use a water soluble fertilizer (Miracle-Gro or Jack’s Classic) at least once a week. Make sure that you follow the package directions- too much fertilizer can kill your plants.
4. Remove the dead flowers and foliage.
This will help your plants keep flowering all summer by not letting them produce seeds. Also, by removing dead and yellowing leaves you help keep disease and pests at bay.
When you deadhead, make sure that you are not just taking the dried up flowers off. Make sure that you are actually taking the seed pod off too! Many customers think that they are deadheading but they really aren't!
