[hunlom]

hi all, im having trouble keepinng water in my 9 hanging baskets. they were plastic lined bought ones(3 yrs ago ) that have either been punctured or peirced at some time... when i water them it seems to go straight through, no matter how gentle a rose i use.. is there a solution for the rest of this season as baskets do seem to be doing well confusingly....some body recommended fairy liquid ? or the water retaining gels that are sold..but how would i now add these to already planted baskets....please help......stev

[Ice]

I've got a saucer in the bottom of mine and some water retaining gel in the compost.  Seems to work, but have to check every day just in case.

[JayG]

If the baskets are fully planted you obviously can't add gel to the compost now. The compost tends to form a water-repellent crust on after a while, especially if it has been allowed to completely dry out. If there is room between the plants to disturb the surface of the compost this will help break the "seal" and let the water in.

[mumofstig]

I read a tip on here I think about freezing bottles of water and leaving them to drip into the compost during the day. The slow release will encourage the moisture to be absorbed by the compost rather than to run straight through. If you could wedge a bottle up on the chains so that it doesn't squash the plants.

In my ones at home I put a marge tub as a reservoir at the bottom of the basket, and a small inverted water bottle, bottom cut off, before I fill with compost and plants.

It's easy then to keep the tub refilled when watering the basket

[granjan]

I actually took one of mine down and dunked it in a trug of water.  You could almost hear it saying thank you 

Normally, if they get too dry, I give them a little water with just a drop of washing up liquid in it.   Then I go back in an hour or so and give them a little plain water.  I keep doing that till they can retain it. 

[plot6b]

I actually took one of mine down and dunked it in a trug of water.  You could almost hear it saying thank you 

Normally, if they get too dry, I give them a little water with just a drop of washing up liquid in it.   Then I go back in an hour or so and give them a little plain water.  I keep doing that till they can retain it. 

Granjan a silly question I know, but what does the Washing up Liquid do?

[arugula]

I actually took one of mine down and dunked it in a trug of water.  You could almost hear it saying thank you 

Normally, if they get too dry, I give them a little water with just a drop of washing up liquid in it.   Then I go back in an hour or so and give them a little plain water.  I keep doing that till they can retain it. 

Granjan a silly question I know, but what does the Washing up Liquid do?

My name isn't Granjan I know, but in my understanding washing up liquid can be used as a wetting agent and I would assume that to be the purpose in this case.

[granjan]

Quite so, Argyllie    It allows it to be absorbed more easily. 

[FERDY]

I soak mine over night in my boy's paddling pool ( I discard the water in the morning) once or twice a week if very dry. My small pots like it too.

[jamima]

I bought some moisture retaining compost from wilkos and i dont water those pots half as much as the others , will use it in all my pots next year 

[Ruby Red]

We have 2 big ones on the front of our house. My OH religiously waters them twice a day, feeds once a week and deadheads every day. They look stunning and ppl stop to look at them.  They shouldnt be left to dry out.

[Goosegirl]

How much help are water-retaining granules and also feed granules? Mine are starting to look a bit past-it so, even though they had both of these, I have just started to feed them with general purpose liquid feed.

[jamima]

I find its best to fed them from the beginning, been feedind mine for ages and they still look fab.

[arugula]

How much help are water-retaining granules and also feed granules? Mine are starting to look a bit past-it so, even though they had both of these, I have just started to feed them with general purpose liquid feed.

Hi Goosegirl,

We've put combined water retaining and feed granules in our baskets and container this year at planting time and it definitely has made quite a significant difference (to not having them). I don't think you can add them once your baskets are on the go, but we'll cetainly keep using them at planting time in the future.

[Junie]

I realise this is a more expensive option, but we spent an afternoon setting up a small irrigation system for all the pots and baskets, it pays for itself quite quickly when compared to the gel.  I bought a bag of bits that had been opened in Homebase, which had a couple of pieces that we did not really need missing.  It is better if you have your baskets somewhere that you can hide the small tubes though.  It was brilliant even through any very warm spells.  A programmer makes it easier but is not really necessary as you can just turn the tap on for a couple of hours in the evening.  We have not set one up here yet and my tubs are suffering so that is a job for this week.  We brought most of ours with us when we moved.