Hanging baskets - in need of a prune?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by TheMadHedger, Jun 26, 2017.

  1. TheMadHedger

    TheMadHedger Gardener

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    The the first time ever I made up four hanging baskets this year. The plants in them are petunias and pansies.

    All of the plants look pretty healthy but the ones planted in the side holes are drooping badly - they used to grow quite upright but now I guess their weight is dragging them down.

    Most affected are the pansies, but the petunias are also affected to a lesser degree.

    To get them to grow upright again is it just a case of heavily pruning them?
     
  2. Verdun

    Verdun Passionate gardener

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    Maybe those are meant to cascade
    When you water do you do so generously?
    can you post a picture? :)
     
  3. TheMadHedger

    TheMadHedger Gardener

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    Unfortunately they are cascading too much. They were fine when there wasn't as much growth but now they are weighing themselves down. Yes, I water when required. Sorry, no photo yet.
     
  4. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Petunias for hanging baskets are supposed to hang down and are called 'trailing petunias' :noidea: :)

    P1250599.JPG
     
  5. TheMadHedger

    TheMadHedger Gardener

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    Ah yes, but mine aren't the trailing variety - at least, I recall that they are "spreaders". As for the pansies, they really do look a mess. Perhaps I should have put more trailing plants in the very top of the baskets to cover up the gaps in the sides.

    Ah well, live and learn. :)
     
  6. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Spreading petunias are trailing petunias but in a slightly different form. If planted in the ground they will spread rapidly sideways but if planted in a hanging basket they become 'cascading' or 'trailing' petunias. The main difference is that 'spreading' petunias don't need to be deadheaded regularly to make them continue flowering.
     
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