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

Sam I find that 3 Begonia Illuminations in a 14" basket works fine

 

Spot on, thanks

 

Can I ask a couple of questions about hanging baskets?
This year will be the first year that I've done them (we now have an enclosed front garden, I think they would have been subject to vandalism prior to the wall being reinstated).
I don't have a greenhouse, nor do I have room indoors really to nurture young plants, so I think I'd have to buy more established plants to create them later in the year.
What is the best time of year to pot up hanging baskets? (Using reasonably established plants).
Also, I want to put two baskets at the front, and two at the back of the house. The back garden is south facing, and gets a LOT of sun - it also gets very hot. The front of the house, is north facing, and only really gets sunshine first thing in the morning, it tends to stay cool and moist.
Bearing in mind two very different conditions, what sort of plants would suit each? (I don't mind having different types of plants at the front and back).
Advice appreciated, thanks!

 

Hello TT
For the front I would go for Trailing Fuschias and Trailing Illumination Begonias as above. These plants are good in semi shade. Lots available at garden centres from late April.
For the sunny rear of the house lots of choice but best to keep with the more popular plants in the GC's . Surfinias ( trailing Petunias ) Lobelia , bacopa , Diascia , geraniums. etc
Two main types of baskets cone and round.
http://www.diy.com/departments/blooma-black-brown-hanging-basket/234789_BQ.prd
http://www.diy.com/departments/blooma-hanging-basket/235969_BQ.prd
I would go for the 350mm (14") size . I put a nice plant in the centre and then 6 trailing plants around the outside. I use normal multi purpose compost from B and Q , and mix in slow release fertilizer ( the stuff that looks like 100's and 1000's) . Water well and then place the baskets in the warmest most sheltered spot you have for plenty of sun for two weeks. Then hang them out and keep them watered
Plenty how too plant baskets vids on you tube...
Just had a look at this planting video , its very good

 

Hi H

I use a bowl in the bottom of the basket and two heaped desert spoons of swell gel and the roots soon find it I think it does really help keep the compost moist and when emptying the baskets in the Autumn lots of roots attached to the swell gel blobs

 

Oooh - that's got me all fired up now Harry...some lovely other planting ideas in that link,
thanks,
Jenny

 

slow down Jen , H stop getting Jen Fired up too early

 

We can't stop it Spruce ! The sap is rising in the forum ! We are all suffering from a little cabin fever. Half five here and a lovely evening outside

 

I'm going to try trailing fuchsias for the first time, they are called 'blacky' and another one which is white but I can't recall the name. Should look good with some lobelia and petunia.
I've some begonia seeds to have a go at too, heard they're tricky!

 

I may give that a go this year Spruce

 

[QUOTE="CharlieBot, post: 905315, member: 14463"
I've some begonia seeds to have a go at too, heard they're tricky![/QUOTE]

Hi

Yes very difficult, I have tried several times and to get the heat and watering off to perfection is the problem, they damp off so quickly and just dont grow just sit there doing nothing plus the seed is expensive.
And to get a decent size plant you have to start them off early in the year so all the odds are against us.

good luck with trying

 

Never been brave enough to try begonia from seed . Very difficult I hear . Good luck Charlie , but may be a good idea to have a back up plan .

 

Haha I've at least 60 packets of seed of various other things so back up plan is firmly in place! The seeds were 49p so worth a go. Might sow them on vermiculite in the hope of less damping off.

As it is I don't think I have space for all the plants and dahlia tubers in the greenhouse!

 

use cells as you wont have to transplant also mix the seed in the packet with fine sand just helps when sowing, seeds are like dust , multi purpose is best , but you could try both and see what works best and let us know.
Water from the bottom (sit in water) and when they are bigger only water in the morning not in the evening. make sure you keep the propagator plastic clear of condensation so no drip falling on to the seedlings