how do you plant trailing petunias in hanging baskets

• Combine one part soil mix for hanging baskets to one part loam-based potting soil. Moisten the soil mixture. ...
• Soak the petunia pots in water. Cut several 2-inch slits into the hanging basket liner in an "X" shape 3 inches below the rim of the basket. ...
• Add 2 inches of soil mix to the basket, and plant some of the remaining petunia pots in a circle in the soil. ...
• Water the hanging basket regularly, but allow the soil to dry between waterings. Add a water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer every third time you irrigate the basket. ...
• Planting tray
Potting soil
Spray bottle
Plastic film
Fluorescent light fixture
Biodegradable peat pots
Watering can
Soil mix for hanging baskets
Loam-based potting soil
Slow-release fertilizer beads
Water-soluble fertilizer

Full Answer

How to care for petunias in hanging baskets?

Never use garden soil, which quickly becomes compacted and too heavy for proper drainage. Mix a slow-release fertilizer into the potting soil at planting time. Watering is critical when it comes to caring for petunias in hanging baskets.

How do you plant petunias in pots?

Plant appropriately as petunias can spread far if in borders and baskets and will develop long trails in placed in baskets and watered/fed frequently. Choose a potting mix with lots of aeration, perlite and other moisture-retaining materials. Avoid heavy and dense soils that restrict root growth.

How to grow trailing petunias?

Research the type of petunias you are growing, not all of them trail well and some require deadheading while others don’t. Trailing petunias will perform best in a very sunny spot, ideally with at least 6 hours of sunshine per summer day. Avoid shaded areas of the garden.

How do you plant trailing plants in a basket?

The root ball should sit on the soil surface with the leaves on the outside of the basket. Tease out the roots and cover them with another layer of your soil mixture – stop about 2 inches from the rim of the basket. You can plant more trailing varieties around the rim – try positioning them between the lower plants for a balanced look.

How many petunias do you put in a hanging basket?

Plant spacingPlantFlower pouchEezee Hanging BasketPetunia (trailing)88Primrose and Polyanthus1010Sweet Pea (trailing)1012Verbena (trailing, e.g. Peaches and Cream101014 more rows

Are trailing petunias good for hanging baskets?

Petunias are one of the most popular summer flowers for their vibrant long-lasting blooms, vigorous growth, and mounding, spreading or trailing habit that makes them perfect for hanging baskets. With so many varieties to choose from, the possibilities for petunia hanging basket combinations are endless.

How do you keep petunia hanging baskets looking good?

If your basket is hanging under a porch eve, be sure to rotate your basket of flowers every week so the dark side can get some sun. Remove wilted flowers as soon as they fade, otherwise the plant will go to seed and stop blooming early. Besides that, the plant will just look much nicer.

How many petunias do I need for a 12 hanging basket?

There is a delicate balance to strike: while you want a lovely display, it's important to avoid overcrowding your plants. With limited space for roots and resources, a good rule of thumb is to use one plant per inch of basket diameter – so 12 plants would fit in a 12-inch basket.

Is there a difference between petunias and trailing petunias?

Wave petunias have a unique trailing growth habit and are highly prolific in their blooming. They drape over the sides of containers and raised beds and are great summer performers. A regular petunia has an upright or bush growth habit. It may spread slightly, but will not drape down as dramatically as a Wave petunia.

What do you put in the center of a hanging basket?

2:318:34Picking plants for the center of your hanging basket - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow here's some options and here is how you're going to know that these are great centerpieces. SoMoreNow here's some options and here is how you're going to know that these are great centerpieces. So this is a red nasturtiums nasturtiums red wonder you go WOW an assertion in the middle of a basket.

How do I make my hanging basket look fuller?

0:202:16How to Grow HUGE Hanging Baskets - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd water water. Water. So then when you get home at night especially once it gets into the hotterMoreAnd water water. Water. So then when you get home at night especially once it gets into the hotter summer temperatures you need to water a second time at the end of the day and to keep the blooms.

Should I water petunias every day?

The answer Petunias are mildly drought-tolerant, but regular watering helps keeping the flowers in constant bloom. Petunias prefer full sunlight, so be aware, container plants may dry out more quickly during hot weather periods. During such periods the plants require two daily waterings.

Why are my petunia hanging baskets dying?

Dying and wilting petunias are usually because of fungal diseases such as root rot, caused by excess moisture around the roots. Petunias require a thorough watering once a week and do not tolerate boggy soil from overwatering which causes petunias leaves and flowers to wilt, and results in dying petunias.

How many trailing petunias are in a 14 inch basket?

3-5 plantsThe general thought for how many trailing petunias to put in a hanging basket is that for a 12-14 inch basket, you should use 3-5 plants. In a 16-18 inch basket, you can use 5-7 trailing petunias.

Why are my trailing petunias not trailing?

It's very easy to prevent this, just regularly prune the leggy stems to encourage bushy growth near the top of the basket or container. If you've neglected a trailing petunia, just go ahead and aggressively prune away so there's around 12 inches of the plant overhanging the edge of the basket.

Should you deadhead trailing petunias?

Is it necessary to deadhead petunias? Yes, it is necessary to deadhead most types of petunias. No-one likes looking out onto a garden of dead blooms, so knowing how to deadhead petunias and remove them is an easy way to keep your garden looking verdant and beautiful.

Which petunias are best for hanging baskets?

Cascadia and Surfinia Petunias You'll find lots of interesting shading and veining with these petunias. They are also easy to care for and spread or trail to about 18 inches. These petunias are best suited for hanging baskets and window boxes.

How long do petunias last in hanging baskets?

To tackle the first part of the question, petunias can live for 2 or 3 years but generally behave as annuals because they can't survive the freezing temperatures of the winter. More on that below.

What is the best plant for hanging baskets?

Top 20 plants to grow in a hanging basketFerns. Ferns are some of the most popular shade-loving plants for hanging baskets. ... Petunias. Petunias can be great for hanging baskets as they tend to mound and pour out over the sides of the basket. ... Begonias. ... Impatiens. ... Fuchsia. ... Succulents. ... Lantana. ... Pansies.More items...•

What are trailing petunias called?

CalibrachoasCalibrachoas (also known as million bells, trailing petunias or superbells) are tender perennials grown as annuals in the UK. They have masses of pretty, bell-like flowers that look like mini petunias and come in a range of colours, including lavender, blue, pink, red, magenta, yellow, orange, coral and white.