Is there such a thing?
I've thought about geraniums which I think will be our best bet, although still not convinced, but is there anything anyone has tried and succeeded with?
What plants for a hanging basket without daily watering
I once saw the roof of an outbuilding completed covered with carefully planted succulents that relied only on rainwater for its survival. It was doing well. Geraniums will tolerate a lot of drought but (from observation of our tubs), I'm not sure that they do as well as those that are more regularly watered.
Jim
Jim
It depends where you are. Even in the UK hanging baskets need occasional watering!
Here they use succulents and trailing petunias - but they need watering in this heat. Anything in a tub/jar/vase needs watering occasionally. Plants in soil need less 'cos their roots delve deep looking for humidity and water.
Here they use succulents and trailing petunias - but they need watering in this heat. Anything in a tub/jar/vase needs watering occasionally. Plants in soil need less 'cos their roots delve deep looking for humidity and water.
oh...just thought of another good tip I was given, well 2 actually.
Watering hanging baskets: use ice cubes. As they melt slowly all the water is absorbed unlike when watered with a watering can...the water runs straight through in the main.
And a product called 'swell gel' here. It's a type of gel you put around the roots and when youwater it absorbs a huge amount and then releases it slowly to the roots.
I've used it and can confirm it's excellent.
I'm sure it must be available elsewhere?
Mouse
x
Watering hanging baskets: use ice cubes. As they melt slowly all the water is absorbed unlike when watered with a watering can...the water runs straight through in the main.
And a product called 'swell gel' here. It's a type of gel you put around the roots and when youwater it absorbs a huge amount and then releases it slowly to the roots.
I've used it and can confirm it's excellent.
I'm sure it must be available elsewhere?
Mouse
x
One martini, two martini, three martini floor!
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barbersdrove
- Posts: 985
- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:48 pm
- Location: crowland south lincolnshire
Thanks for all of the ideas.
I will experiment and report back if any work, but don't hold out too much hope. I think two weeks without water is just about 13 days too long in this heat!
Even in the UK, I always managed to murder my hanging baskets within a few weeks of planting and I was using swell gel!
It might have to be automated watering, although I still like the succulents idea.
I will experiment and report back if any work, but don't hold out too much hope. I think two weeks without water is just about 13 days too long in this heat!
Even in the UK, I always managed to murder my hanging baskets within a few weeks of planting and I was using swell gel!
It might have to be automated watering, although I still like the succulents idea.
I had the same problem and didn't want to put onto neighbours to do extra watering. There is a small factory near our village which assembles artificial plants etc. I was surprised at how realistic some of them look.
Ok, close up you can tell but I bought some summer baskets and winter foliage ones for my cottage and swap them over depending on the season. Even some of the local folk were fooled by them. At least they do give some kerb appeal and a nice focal point for guests photographs. I'm getting some window boxes made up for next season.
http://www.treelocate.com/artificial_ha ... askets.htm
Ok, close up you can tell but I bought some summer baskets and winter foliage ones for my cottage and swap them over depending on the season. Even some of the local folk were fooled by them. At least they do give some kerb appeal and a nice focal point for guests photographs. I'm getting some window boxes made up for next season.
http://www.treelocate.com/artificial_ha ... askets.htm
I heard of this and mentioned it a few months back to the guy in Gamme Vert (French gardening chain) and he said it sounded great but hadn't arrived in France yet to his knowledge - good opportunity for someone to set up an import business ?Mouse wrote: And a product called 'swell gel' here. It's a type of gel you put around the roots and when youwater it absorbs a huge amount and then releases it slowly to the roots.
I've used it and can confirm it's excellent.
I'm sure it must be available elsewhere?
Mouse
x
I've got an automatic watering system for my baskets as even in Cornwall they need daily watering. But for the winter, so the brackets are just left empty I put up faux box balls which look very real, even close up (got them off ebay) and we get lots of comments about them, with people touching them to see if they're real!