How To Care For My Hanging Basket

Good maintenance can not only prolong the life of your basket but can also help the plants remain healthy. Remember to wear gloves when handling mosses, plants and soils.

Watering Watering is extremely important. Your basket may dry out quickly, even daily, during the hottest weather. Mosser Lee's Long-Fibered Sphagnum Moss will retain the moisture longer than liners such as coconut fiber, sheet moss, Oregon green moss, or man-made products. Your plants will not do well unless the soil and moss remain moist. Keep the sphagnum moss moist by watering the sides of the basket. It may be best to use a garden hose by spraying a fine mist around all sides to dampen the moss and the soil. When it is too cold to water outdoors, put the hanging basket in a sink and use the sink sprayer hose to wet the sides of the basket. You might even want to put it in your shower. If the basket resides in your house, let it drain in the sink or a tub before rehanging it.

Fertilizing Bi-weekly applications of liquid fertilizer help to maintain vigorous, floriferous hanging baskets. Fertilize weekly with liquid fertilizers such as Schultz, Miracle-Gro or Peters or a granular slow-release fertilizer such as Dynomite Plant Food 13-13-13 or Osmocote 14-14-14. These granular slow-release fertilizers last about six months.

Trimming Trim wilting leaves and dying flowers every two or three weeks. Some plants, such as verbena or lantana require little or no trimming. Begonias and impatiens are usually trimmed to form "balls of color".

Pest Problems The most common pests in hanging baskets are spider mites and mealy bugs. Use commercial pesticides that fit the plant variety and basket location.

End of the Season When you notice the flowers in your basket deteriorating, it may be time to replant. Should you choose to save the basket for the next year, you can re-use the wire form, however it is suggested that you remake the basket with new moss and potting soil.