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Baskets Baskets dripping with Fuchsias in Summer is everyone’s dream. Some tips for keeping your baskets looking fresh and happy: · Large Wire baskets(16”) with coir liners benefit from having a thin lining of plastic with holes made with a knitting needle or skewer. This helps the basket retain moisture without becoming too soggy so will need less watering · Half fill the basket with a high quality potting mix / add some peat moss or substitute to the mix · Fuchsias are heavy feeders so incorporate slow release fertilizer into the compost and top up after Christmas especially if the plants have been growing strongly · Plan to use at least three small plants of the same cultivar around the edges and one a little larger for the centre of each basket Place three plants evenly around the basket tilted slightly towards the edge. Place the centre plant upright. Fill the basket with a high quality potting mix · Water well with Seasol and place the basket into a shady spot until the plants settle in. Later hang the basket in dappled shade · When the plants are well developed and the basket is full it may need to be watered or at least misted once a day in Summer. · In very hot weather place baskets on the ground on wet mulch · Give plants a foliar feed with a high potassium fertilizer once a fortnight. Alternate with plain water to flush out salts · Dead head plants in baskets often. Tip prune any stems which have flowered to encourage more growth · Allow the laterals of the three plants near the edge of the basket to grow down with minimal pinch pruning but keep pinch pruning the one in the centre. When the basket is covered with hanging laterals then begin to let the centre plant develop longer laterals to create a second layer. · In mid summer give the plants a light prune to encourage more growth and flowers in Autumn · Take cuttings in March/ April so you will be able to make a new basket for next year. Information for this article has been gleaned from Growing Fuchsias; K Jennings & V. Miller |