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Post by Nucleus on May 19, 2018 15:15:27 GMT
Hi folks, My apologies if this may seem a simplistic q uestion, but honestly it isn't - not for a relative newbie anyway . I'd just like to take your advice.
What's your procedure for watering/feeding your pots/baskets/containers throughout the summer? Daily? When - Morning or Evening? You're not supposed to water when the sun is on your plants, this is correct? How much do you water a decent sized pot with a variety of plants in, is it much the same as seedlings - just ensure the top of the compost is always slightly damp, or give them a good soaking?
Also, do you feed your pots/baskets/containers? Some composts state that they contain a slow release long term feed, but do you still feed your plants? If so how often, is there a general rule of thumb you can apply across the board sort of thing, feed everything every two weeks or whatever? What do you use, a liquid feed you mix in your watering can, or some long term granules or something at planting time? Any recommendations?
Again while it may seem simple to the old hands, some sound advice on a watering/feeding procedure throughout the season would be appreciated. TIA.
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Post by sweetpea on May 19, 2018 15:44:44 GMT
I've been watering twice a day during this hot weather particularly in the g'house but regards to hanging baskets a trick I always use is to place a plant saucer in the base before planting them up. Acts as a water reservoir. If you haven't done that try and mix in to the compost some Swellgel which can help in retaining water. i only use phostrogen to feed and then only after the plants have been in flower for a couple of weeks or more precisely, when I remember. i don't water or spray over the plants when sunny but just stick the nozzle of the watering can in under the foliage.
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Post by SueA on May 20, 2018 8:30:20 GMT
Very similar to sweetpea Nucleus, I mix a spoonful of swellgel in with the compost & usually pop a couple of those little slow release feed nuggets in the basket when planting up, I don't bother much with any other feed unless I'm passing with a watering can with seaweed feed in. I water usually in the evening when it's cool & odd times in the morning as well if it's cool enough when I get up, it's best to give them a good soaking, if the top layer dries out you'll end up with a crust & water just running off & not soaking in, I'd guess I use a large watering can full for about 3 or 4 baskets each time but it depends on size & where the baskets are as some dry out quicker than others if they're in direct sun etc.
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Post by Nucleus on May 20, 2018 9:09:21 GMT
I've been watering twice a day during this hot weather particularly in the g'house but regards to hanging baskets a trick I always use is to place a plant saucer in the base before planting them up. Acts as a water reservoir. If you haven't done that try and mix in to the compost some Swellgel which can help in retaining water. i only use phostrogen to feed and then only after the plants have been in flower for a couple of weeks or more precisely, when I remember. i don't water or spray over the plants when sunny but just stick the nozzle of the watering can in under the foliage. Very similar to sweetpea Nucleus , I mix a spoonful of swellgel in with the compost & usually pop a couple of those little slow release feed nuggets in the basket when planting up, I don't bother much with any other feed unless I'm passing with a watering can with seaweed feed in. I water usually in the evening when it's cool & odd times in the morning as well if it's cool enough when I get up, it's best to give them a good soaking, if the top layer dries out you'll end up with a crust & water just running off & not soaking in, I'd guess I use a large watering can full for about 3 or 4 baskets each time but it depends on size & where the baskets are as some dry out quicker than others if they're in direct sun etc. Thank you both so much, this is really appreciated. Again, it's something that may seem so simple to you experienced folk, but now that I'm planting up a few pots etc, a watering/feeding routine has been puzzling me. Always best to get advice. Cheers.
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Post by Granny Goose on May 20, 2018 19:05:22 GMT
I water my pots and containers every evening at this time of year, and it takes me about an hour and a half as I have a lot. 😀 I use a hosepipe, not a can. I don't water my borders at all....if you do, then the p!ants develop a superficial root system. They need to put down their roots deeply and search for their own water.....in doing so, they become stronger and healthier. I feed my border plants twice a year with pelleted chicken manure, and nothing else. My pots and containers get granular long acting food (I think I'm using Miraclegro this year...need to check, it's in a big tub in the G.H.😀 ) which I add to the compost on planting. I find this is enough for annual p!anting, but you can boost the flowering with liquid tomato food if you find they are running out of steam later on in the season. This works for me Nucleus, but all gardeners do things differently, so it's a case of try it and see what works for you and your plants
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Post by sweetpea on May 20, 2018 22:24:48 GMT
I water my pots and containers every evening at this time of year, and it takes me about an hour and a half as I have a lot. 😀 I use a hosepipe, not a can. I don't water my borders at all....if you do, then the p!ants develop a superficial root system. They need to put down their roots deeply and search for their own water.....in doing so, they become stronger and healthier. I feed my border plants twice a year with pelleted chicken manure, and nothing else. My pots and containers get granular long acting food (I think I'm using Miraclegro this year...need to check, it's in a big tub in the G.H.😀 ) which I add to the compost on planting. I find this is enough for annual p!anting, but you can boost the flowering with liquid tomato food if you find they are running out of steam later on in the season. This works for me Nucleus, but all gardeners do things differently, so it's a case of try it and see what works for you and your plants Same here and also for tomatoes in the ground. Water in when planting and never again. Works for me.
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Post by Nucleus on May 21, 2018 7:28:33 GMT
I water my pots and containers every evening at this time of year, and it takes me about an hour and a half as I have a lot. 😀 I use a hosepipe, not a can. I don't water my borders at all....if you do, then the p!ants develop a superficial root system. They need to put down their roots deeply and search for their own water.....in doing so, they become stronger and healthier. I feed my border plants twice a year with pelleted chicken manure, and nothing else. My pots and containers get granular long acting food (I think I'm using Miraclegro this year...need to check, it's in a big tub in the G.H.😀 ) which I add to the compost on planting. I find this is enough for annual p!anting, but you can boost the flowering with liquid tomato food if you find they are running out of steam later on in the season. This works for me Nucleus, but all gardeners do things differently, so it's a case of try it and see what works for you and your plants Thank you GG, as with the others your post is really appreciated. All advice and tips are welcomed. Not watering border plants - at all? Even when the hot summer days are upon us? Wow! That has come as a surprise, reading what you say about development of a good root system, I suppose it's leaving it to nature as much as possible. I've got some of the Mircale-Gro stuff you mention, you mean the tub of thousands of little coloured balls stuff don't you? I'll sprinkle some in when I make up pots and baskets whatever. Thank you all for the tips/guidance.
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Post by SueA on May 21, 2018 7:43:18 GMT
I think with newly planted border plants I would water them at first & until established if the weather was sunny & annual bedding in borders may need watering occasionally, it's more perennials which need to put down deep roots & find their own water. I don't water my borders much but then our back garden is quite often a bog so doesn't really need it!
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Post by Granny Goose on May 21, 2018 17:56:58 GMT
I water my pots and containers every evening at this time of year, and it takes me about an hour and a half as I have a lot. 😀 I use a hosepipe, not a can. I don't water my borders at all....if you do, then the p!ants develop a superficial root system. They need to put down their roots deeply and search for their own water.....in doing so, they become stronger and healthier. I feed my border plants twice a year with pelleted chicken manure, and nothing else. My pots and containers get granular long acting food (I think I'm using Miraclegro this year...need to check, it's in a big tub in the G.H.😀 ) which I add to the compost on planting. I find this is enough for annual p!anting, but you can boost the flowering with liquid tomato food if you find they are running out of steam later on in the season. This works for me Nucleus, but all gardeners do things differently, so it's a case of try it and see what works for you and your plants Thank you GG, as with the others your post is really appreciated. All advice and tips are welcomed. Not watering border plants - at all? Even when the hot summer days are upon us? Wow! That has come as a surprise, reading what you say about development of a good root system, I suppose it's leaving it to nature as much as possible. I've got some of the Mircale-Gro stuff you mention, you mean the tub of thousands of little coloured balls stuff don't you? I'll sprinkle some in when I make up pots and baskets whatever. Thank you all for the tips/guidance. Lol, yes I mean the tub of "hundreds and thousands" 😀 It saves a lot of extra work if you include it in the compost mix, otherwise you'd be feeding baskets and containers at least every week during the growing season with a liquid feed....heavy watering cans and another weekly cost! I think the liquid feeds are quite expensive. As for the border plants, well it depends on where abouts in the country you are and what type of soil you have. I'm in the North west and we have heavy rainfall (,in fact it's raining now 😕) and my soil is very rich, moisture retentive clay, so my border plants are ok. But it you live in a dryer part of the country and maybe have thin, sandy soil, then obviously your need to water the borders too in hot weather. Another tip is to mulch around your border plants with compost or bark mulch after planting and after a jolly good soaking, to retain as much moisture as possible around the roots. Hope that helps Nucleus....please please water your borders if you think they need it, I don't want to be responsible for anyone's dead plants!😁
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Post by Nucleus on May 21, 2018 18:47:12 GMT
Hope that helps Nucleus....please please water your borders if you think they need it, I don't want to be responsible for anyone's dead plants!😁 LOL, you won't don't worry. I've taken on board the advice from all three of you and will find a routine that works for me. No worries. TY all of you, appreciated.
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Post by roofgardener on May 22, 2018 15:06:34 GMT
Everything I grow is in pots.
I put saucers underneath each pot, and water them until the saucer starts to fill up.
It depends how mature the plant is. Some of my plants have bordering on pot-bound, so you need to water them VERY regularly; possibly daily. Other stuff perhaps once every couple of days ?
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