Hanging basket advice

Curly · December 28, 2013

DW keeps asking me to try planting flowers for hanging baskets and flower beds. We have always just bought them.

First, flower choices, I am overwhelmed with the numbers of different flowers available, even more so when I am not sure what I am looking for. We are in 2b/3a. Petunias probably logical choice?

Second, basket and medium. What works best? I installed ss tubing to each basket for watering system. Pump in 5g pail with auto shutoff. We just fill during the previous day and turn on next morning. What to feed them and frequency?

I read for may flowers, they should be started now under lights. I was thinking about putting together a cold house inside greenhouse that I can add heat

Looking for something easy, nothing that requires special attention, I assume they will come later as we get more involved in growing our own. She likes multi colour arrangements

Hope someone can get me headed in right direction
Thanks
Darren

kurt · December 28, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curly

DW keeps asking me to try planting flowers for hanging baskets and flower beds. We have always just bought them.

First, flower choices, I am overwhelmed with the numbers of different flowers available, even more so when I am not sure what I am looking for. We are in 2b/3a. Petunias probably logical choice?

Second, basket and medium. What works best? I installed ss tubing to each basket for watering system. Pump in 5g pail with auto shutoff. We just fill during the previous day and turn on next morning. What to feed them and frequency?

I read for may flowers, they should be started now under lights. I was thinking about putting together a cold house inside greenhouse that I can add heat

Looking for something easy, nothing that requires special attention, I assume they will come later as we get more involved in growing our own. She likes multi colour arrangements

Hope someone can get me headed in right direction
Thanks
Darren

The above work real well in a hanging basket.They will cascade over the sides or you can train them up the support system.They do flower.I use the wire cage type for these.Inside the cages I will fit a decent color tray(over watering spillage) ,then matching container.A good quality eyehook(open ended stainless steel for rust)a stainless steel mini pulley system for sun adjustments with small seedlings(all mine are from seed starts).Then you can enjoy some nice teas and edibles when wanted.I use a Pro Mix product since it does not turn to mud after prolonged watering.If possible clay is used since plastics tend to contrict evaporation and the UV sun exposure wants to discolor over time.Have fun and good luck.

KarenO · December 28, 2013

A few easy to start from seed annuals are as you mentioned, petunias. I find the "easy wave " and avalanche series have done well for me but any vegetative petunia will do well and a full basket can be achieved with just one plant . Trailing lobelia and bacopa are also easy to grow from seed and make nice filler. Depending on the amount of sun. Ivy and seed geraniums can he started from seed as well as dwarf zinnias, marigolds even foliage plants like coleus. Using herbs as as filler works well. Best advice for pots is large sturdy plastic no smaller than 12 inches and filled with pro mix or other good peat- based potting mix . I use both a full scoop of slow release granular per basket and also weekly water soluble balanced 20~20~20. I grow the easy to grow ones I mentioned and mix my transplants with harder to grow purchased ones like fuschia to make mixed pots for a lot less than they can be bought at a garden centre. Many need to be started soon to have big transplants for the end of May.
Karen

December 28, 2013	#1
Curly Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Alberta 2b/3a Posts: 11	Hanging basket advice DW keeps asking me to try planting flowers for hanging baskets and flower beds. We have always just bought them. First, flower choices, I am overwhelmed with the numbers of different flowers available, even more so when I am not sure what I am looking for. We are in 2b/3a. Petunias probably logical choice? Second, basket and medium. What works best? I installed ss tubing to each basket for watering system. Pump in 5g pail with auto shutoff. We just fill during the previous day and turn on next morning. What to feed them and frequency? I read for may flowers, they should be started now under lights. I was thinking about putting together a cold house inside greenhouse that I can add heat Looking for something easy, nothing that requires special attention, I assume they will come later as we get more involved in growing our own. She likes multi colour arrangements Hope someone can get me headed in right direction Thanks Darren __________________ Darren

December 28, 2013	#3
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,932	A few easy to start from seed annuals are as you mentioned, petunias. I find the "easy wave " and avalanche series have done well for me but any vegetative petunia will do well and a full basket can be achieved with just one plant . Trailing lobelia and bacopa are also easy to grow from seed and make nice filler. Depending on the amount of sun. Ivy and seed geraniums can he started from seed as well as dwarf zinnias, marigolds even foliage plants like coleus. Using herbs as as filler works well. Best advice for pots is large sturdy plastic no smaller than 12 inches and filled with pro mix or other good peat- based potting mix . I use both a full scoop of slow release granular per basket and also weekly water soluble balanced 20~20~20. I grow the easy to grow ones I mentioned and mix my transplants with harder to grow purchased ones like fuschia to make mixed pots for a lot less than they can be bought at a garden centre. Many need to be started soon to have big transplants for the end of May. Karen Last edited by KarenO; December 28, 2013 at 06:52 PM.