Rain and Hanging Basket Care
“No rain… no flowers. Too much rain…soggy flowers.”
Today’s quote was an original. Rain — Necessary, but enough is enough! There have been many times we would have welcomed the rain and all the unpleasantness that comes with it. Let’s focus on gratitude.
I want to address hanging basket — deck pot care in years where the rain is just a bit too unwelcome, and the foggy wet mornings and humidity are beyond the tolerance of the flowers. Rest assured, your flowers are not alone in this struggle. I have heard from growers across the country that a lot of us are in the same “Rain Boat,” and honestly, there is not a lot you can do about it.
A few helpful suggestions for you and your flowers:
When you know rain is coming, and it is going to be more than a light rain, move your flowers to an undercover location if possible. Think of it as a temporary home away from home. Easy to do with hanging baskets and deck pots for sure. (Be careful with lifting if you have limitations, and ask for some help)
Petunias, especially, are not so keen on soaking, pounding rain, and the blooms you were enjoying will go south — at least some of them, but never fear - they will return in short order. Now you have a job to do.
When the weather clears, spend some time taking off all the spent blooms. They could look very slimy and moldy. It is their nature. Take them back to where the stem of the flower attaches to the vine, rather than just the bloom itself. (as soon as the sun comes out and the temp warms up, these spent blooms with dry up and they are much easier to take off)
Check your basket for water. (Surprisingly, rain water is not always sufficient to assure your basket is well watered) and as soon as it needs more water (here, again, you may have to wait a day or two if there was an excess of rain) it is very important to fertilize up to 2 x per week until you see lots of greening up and buds for new flowers. This will give your hanging basket or deck pot the energy it needs to recover.
Although we send every plant home with long-term slow-release fertilizer, supplementing heavy-feeding flowers is vital for copious amounts of blooms and healthy greenery. Come see us at the Farm Stand for a very high-quality fertilizer recommendation. (Trust me, they are not all the same, and we don’t want you to be disappointed with your results)
Patience and understanding that flowers have their tolerances, just like we humans do, and I know we are all just so tired of this weather. Regardless of where you purchased your plants, be it from a big box store or from a trusted grower, the weather truly is to blame. Your flowers will recover if they were grown with all the right nutrients from the get-go, so, in this case, buying quality over saving a few bucks at a big box store can very well be your saving grace this season.
In review:
Flower clean-up up a must after a heavy rain:
Up your fertilizer Schedule for a few weeks after a heavy, damaging rain to 2x week (Use quality liquid feed — come see me at the farm stand — we have a great suggestion for you!
Pay attention to water and do not rely on the rain to be your watering source (Remember from our flower care guide… water your plants 1 x day with enough water for 24 hours, unless it is a scorching hot day, then you may need to water more often)
Remind yourself, “This too shall pass,” and sooner than you know, if your baskets are looking bleak, with proper care as outlined above, you will be enjoying a bounty of blooms sooner than you know.
Remember above all — Life is so short — a summer of rain is better than no summer at all…
Hanging in there with you and farming for you always,
Kathy
