SUMMER BASKETS AND WINDOW BOXES - "BITS AND BOBS" - 2015

I get my hanging pot plants from a local Amish nursery place. Put them in my hanging pots, and hang. I am done.

 

Don't know what it is but I just LOVE seeing these blocks throw up their shoots after weeks and weeks of waiting.
As you've shown me yours, I'll show you mine:
The first 3 are now 8 weeks old and have romped away. They are Apricot Pendulas for a HB

and these have been giving me restless nights. They are fluffy pink show types that I fell in love with. In desperation, I sat them on the top of a radiator at very low warmth and after 3 weeks of that, they appeared so are now on the bright sunny bathroom window ledge,

 

Nice!

Mine are supposed to be giant red pendulous.... i wait with baited breath...

 

Is it too soon to plant up my hanging baskets, or should I go for it?
The plants have been sitting on the outside windowsill for a couple of weeks, now. Many of them look like they are very much ready to be planted up....

 

If the plants are outside you may as well plant the baskets up . We are still getting very chilly nights here , it was 2°c last night. Just keep them in a sheltered position for a few weeks yet though . What plants are they ? Pansies and Violas will be fine now .

 

I think Ill be going for it this weekend Thespian. I have started a load of begonias off in the hallway and I need the pots back so I'm going for it

 

Just nipped into a new Aldi store near us . They are selling a little six pack of hanging basket plants. Petunia , Fuschia , Bacopa , Creeping jenny (?) , all for £2.99
First time I have been in an Aldi !

 

They look in super condition @HarryS
a bargain indeed,
Jenny

 

Geraniums, petunias, surfinias, fuscias. Some of them are flowering, already...

 

TT , Geraniums and Fuschias should be OK . A bit early for Petunias and Surfinias to be out in the cruel world . If they are outside now plant the basket up then put it in the best sheltered spot you have , sunny if possible. Raised from the ground next to a wall , on a box or stool , keeps them away from ground chill.

 

Well thats the advertising photo Jenny , but I was impressed with the store stock condition . And for 3 quid that would make a lovely basket or small container.

 

Another question. (Sorry, hanging basket first-timer).
I have 12", 15" and 16" hanging baskets (hand-me-d0wns, hence the irregular sizes!).
I have fuchsias, surfinias, petunias, and ivy geraniums (plus ornamental grass and creeping jenny).
Roughly how many plants per hanging basket?
And apologies if this has effectively been answered before, I'm just wondering with these specific plants). Many thanks!

 

This depends on the surface area of the basket
12" = 113 square inches
14" = 153 square inches
16" = 201 square inches
So you can see the 16" has virtually twice the planting area !
I have read books on hanging baskets which recommend an amazing amount off plants to put in . For me I use 14" baskets , never do side planting , and put one in the middle and 6 trailers around the outside . I use normal MPC and mix in slow release fertiliser pellets ( hundreds and thousands ) This video gives you a good idea..............

 

Lovely, thank you.
I've bought some more hanging basket plants today. I'm going to harden them off a bit first and decide what goes where, ready to pot up, although I'll be keeping them in a sheltered spot off the ground before actually hanging them.

 

I recall you posting that video before @HarryS ... it's a good 'un