Successful Wave Baskets
You’ve all seen them – and wanted them! Large, lush baskets of Petunias or Pansies hanging from lampposts on the street, or cascading from the front porch of your neighbor’s home. One of the best uses for Wave that takes advantage of their easy, spreading color is in hanging baskets and patio pots.
There are a few guidelines to remember in order to create the best environment for Wave hanging baskets and containers.
- Don’t over-pack your container with plants. Just a few plants will go a long way! We recommend three Wave plants in a 10 to 12-in. (25 to 30-cm) container. Increase the number of plants as your container size goes up. Too many plants in a small container will have your Wave® Petunias or Cool Wave® Pansies fighting for the nutrients they need to spread and cascade over the sides. Give them space to grow, and you’ll be amazed at how fast they’ll fill in!
- Fertilizer is key. Wave plants are vigorous and hungry. They need plenty of nutrition to give them energy for bloom production. If you notice a yellowing on the leaves, that’s a sure sign your plants need a dose of liquid or granular fertilizer. Adding feed to your watering schedule (about every 10-14 days) is a good routine, and will make your plants happy with spreading blooms all season long.
- Containers dry out faster than gardens. When you put Wave in containers, you’re limiting their roots’ ability to seek out hydration – they are totally reliant on you to keep them watered. In the heat of Summer, a container may need watering twice a day. Wave Petunias and Cool Wave Pansies can stand a bit of drying out between waterings, but don’t let the container get so dry that the plants wilt. A good rule is to stick your finger about 1 to 2 inches down into the soil. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water. The general weight of the container will tell you when it’s time to water, too. A light, easy-to-pick-up basket probably needs a good soak. A slightly heavier basket means the roots have what they need.
- Good drainage is a must. With all this talk about watering and feeding, it’s important to remember Wave plants need good drainage, too. Wet or saturated roots will rot and leave your plants open to disease. Be sure there are enough holes in the bottom of your container to let excess water run out. You don’t want your roots to drown!
- Wave plants need sunlight. Select a location for your hanging basket or container that receives plenty of sun – at least 6 hours. Petunias are sun-loving flowers that need its warmth and energy to look and perform their best.
