How much is REALLY enough?

lydiaann

The other day there was a report in the paper to say that we are all over-watering our hanging baskets and that one cup - 6 fl oz - per basket is enough to keep them looking healthy.  Yesterday evening, after all the showers, I tested my hanging baskets and they were more than damp so I didn't need to water.  Today by 2 p.m., despite the baskets being lined with black plastic (recycled well-used garbage bags, Forkers!) and using a good amount of perlite in the compost, etc. my baskets were as dry as a bone and, once again, the flowers were drooping/dying in the hot sun.  I can only think that the person who decreed we could save water kept his/her baskets in an environment that included no direct sunlight, temps of 21 deg and below, no wind, a humid atmosphere and that they were definitely not a gardener.  If anyone knows any better, can they please enlighten me:| .  What do you think? Do? Not do?

Lyn

Water your baskets when you think they need it, there are so many posters on the net, saying so many different things.  There’s some absolute rubbish on you tube, that’s why if I have any questions I post here and take advise from people who actually do garden. 

The hanging baskets in our local GC are fantastic, when I asked what they fed them on, she said they didn’t ever feed them but the water is constantly on a drip feed.
 
I’ve spent the day cutting back my baskets and tubs, over 70 of them, grasping the lobelia by the neck and chopping off at the ankles, similar with petunias, saved seeds from the gypsophila for next year and this evening after dinner they will get a good soak. I’ve only fed them twice I may feed once more in this season. 

Joy*

I have a feeling that a drip system was used. Perhaps if they were really wet when the experiment started constant dripping might have been enough to keep them moist. Mine need a good watering every day unless it has been constantly raining. 

yorkshirerose

I work in a Garden Centre and the hanging baskets are watered at least once daily, sometimes twice depending on the temperature.
Treat your baskets as you would yourself - on hot days they dry out quickly and need more fluids.
They also dry out quickly in windy conditions too - ignore the newspaper report, keep your plants happy and healthy.