Let's face it: Our houseplants
aren't the most important things on our to-do lists,
and even the most attentive gardeners will sometimes
forget to water the hanging baskets. The good news is
that unless the plants are completely dead, they can
usually be revived.
Begin by clipping off dead flowers
and browning leaves. See! It looks better already. Now
cut back yellowing stems and stems with a good many
yellowing leaves to encourage the plant to send out
new shoots. If your plant has trailing stems, you may
have to detangle the stems first to determine which
are worth keeping.
If you're like me, you may find
it hard to clip off buds that will be opening soon,
so use your own judgment to determine if this is necessary.
A plant with a lot of damage will have more trouble
recovering if it's trying to support buds during the
recovery period, and the buds may eventually fall off
without opening anyway. If the damage is mild, leave
the buds that are on undamaged stems in place.
Watering a dried out basket can
be difficult. You may find that as you pour water into
the basket it simply runs out without wetting the soil.
The best way to overcome this is to run a pan of tepid
water, and add a drop or two of dishwashing liquid.
The dishwashing liquid acts as a wetting agent and allows
the water to soak into the soil. Set your plant inside
the pan of water and leave it for at least an hour,
or until the basket is saturated, and mist the plants
a time or two while they soak. If there are heavy chains
or ropes attached to your basket, support them with
a stick so that they don't lay on top of your plants.
When the plants are dry, it doesn't take much weight
to break the stems and leaves.
At this point we want to do everything
we can to help our plants get back on their feet, but
it's best to avoid feeding them for about five days.
This gives them time to overcome the shock before trying
to send out new shoots.
Watch your recovering plants
closely for signs of insects or disease. In their weakened
state, they are more susceptible to pests and fungus,
and they should be treated right away if you suspect
a problem. Before you know it, your basket will be bursting
with blooms again.
About the Author:
Jackie Carroll is the editor of GardenGuides.com, a
leading internet destination for gardening information
and ideas.
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