Seed Guide 2007 pgs 01/41 - McKenzie Seeds

Planting the basket
If using a mesh basket, you will need
some form of liner to prevent the soil
falling out. This could be plastic film, a
garbage bag or moss. Moss ensures
excellent drainage and high humidity
both of which help the plants to grow
well, but you will need to water more
often than with the other liners which
are easier to use, although you will
usually have to punch holes in them to
insert the plants.
The plastic pot type basket can only
planted at the top and it's simple
procedure to fill with compost and put in
the plants, remembering to leave space
at the top for watering.
With wire baskets, when using moss, line
the bottom of the basket with a layer of
moss about I in thick and build the moss
up to about halfway up the sides. Then
fill the centre with a moist, good, free
draining soilless compost, preferably one
specially prepared for hanging baskets.
Alternatively you can make up your own
by mixing 1 part Vermiculite with 3 parts
standard soilless potting compost, and a
slow release fertilizer. These will ensure
that the water is distributed evenly, that
it is held for as long as possible and that
the plants are fed through the season.
Insert the first layer of plants by carefully
pushing the leaves through the mesh,
pack plenty of moss around the plants
and fill up the centre with compost,
gently firming around the roots as you
go. Make sure you leave a space large
enough to take the roots of the plant
which is to go in the centre and build up
the outer layer of moss as you go.
Before planting the top, first arrange the
plants to their best effect and then plant
firmly, making a slight dip in the centre
to prevent run-off when watering. If
possible, finish off the top with a layer of
moss to improve the look of the basket
and conserve water.
G R O W I N G I N F O R M A T I O N
Provided you are using a good compost
and you are prepared to feed and water
regularly, you will find the best effect
comes from putting plenty of plants in
the basket. With bedding plants it is a
good rule of thumb to put in at least one
plant per inch of basket diameter, that is
12 plants for a 12in (30cm) basket.
However if you are using only strongly
growing plants such as Fuchsias or
Geraniums, then it's better to restrict it to
5 per 12in (30cm) basket.
Once planted, give the basket a good
watering with a watering can to settle
the soil around the roots and stand in a
greenhouse for 2-3 weeks. If no
greenhouse is available, then place in a
cold frame, or failing this, outside in a
shady, sheltered spot and bring it indoors
each evening. During this period, turn
the baskets each day to ensure even
growth, dead head the flowers as they
fade and pinch out the growing points of
any long, straggly plants to ensure bushy
plants.
Moving Outdoors
When the plants are well established the
weather is mild and warm, with all risk of
frost having passed, the baskets can be
hung in their final position. Use a suitably
strong bracket, a 9in (22cm) bracket is
suitable for a 12in (30cm) basket, and
secure firmly. A sunny wall which doesn't
get too hot, facing S.E. or S.W is best but
avoid a windy spot. Unless you have used
shade loving plants, the basket should be
in the sun for most of the day. Keep the
compost moist but not water logged by
frequent watering, usually once a day in
hot weather: Water in the evening for
preference. You can tell whether a basket
needs watering by testing with your
fingers the top 1in of soil. If the surface
only is dry then leave for another day.
When you water; water well roughly
giving about 1/2 gallon (2.3 liters) to each
basket. It is essential the compost is
neither too wet nor too dry as some
plants, like lobelia for example, never
recover from drying out.
W W W . M C K E N Z I E S E E D S . C O M
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