Problems With Watering Hanging Basklets and Outdoor Potted Plants
Hanging basket’s have an unquestionable aesthetic appeal. Here is a possible solution to your problems with Watering Hanging Baskets and Outdoor Potted Plants
Who doesn’t enjoy the added color and texture of a well-kept hanging basket on any porch, patio, or veranda? How about the quaint nostalgic feeling of a street lined with flowers that appear to be hanging in mid-air?
The baskets just seem to exude ambiance in outdoor restaurant settings and hotel lobbies. They add so much color and are relaxing to the senses as they make you feel as though you are sitting or wandering through a luxurious garden. The air feels refreshed, as well as your spirit.
All of this appeal and effect are the result of hard work and effort. The choice of plants for the right location, sun or shade, and the colors that match the surroundings and palette need to be well thought out. The size of the basket should match the size of the area they are intended for. It is important not to overcrowd the basket, so there is enough room for the plants to grow.
Once you have picked the right plants and basket, the most important thing your hanging baskets need is enough water and nutrients.
Because hanging baskets appear to be hanging in mid-air, they have a tendency to dry out quickly. Many times they are positioned under an overhang or a covered porch area where rain can not get to them.
Most hanging baskets should be watered several times a day. One helpful trick is to place plastic or newspaper at the bottom of the basket to hold or retain water.
Fertilize and Water
Hanging baskets use the nutrients in the soil quickly and have no way to replenish them. That is why it is essential to add fertilizer to your pots as often as weekly. That keeps them looking green, flowery, and healthy
The best way to keep your hanging baskets watered is through an electronic watering drip system. They are great and will do the job. Just add some fertilizer, and your plants should do well. The only problems with these systems is that they are expensive and virtually stationary.
What if there was a system for watering hanging baskets that was less expensive and completely portable? What if you could use your system for watering pots, planters, birdbaths, animal bowls, and of course hanging baskets. If you are looking for this kind of alternative hanging basket watering system, then we have one for you.
Hanging Basket Watering and Maintenance
JCPJ Enterprises develops just such an alternative watering solution. The Hanging Basket Portable Automatic Irrigation Drip System Kit. This new system addresses demands from gardeners who need a watering device that is portable and can move water up to their pots, planters, and hanging baskets automatically.
Portable Automatic Drip Features
This system is designed to incorporate the portable automatic drip features of a Watering Rock( link) into a reservoir holding tank that automatically turns on when filled to a predetermined level and off at a lower level.
The amount of drip you set from the Watering Rock adjustable dripper into the pump reservoir determines how often you have to refill the Watering Rock.
The beauty of this is no timer or water source supply lines are needed. It is portable as long as it can be connected to electric.
The pump needs 1 line from the Watering Rock to fill it.
The other thing about this is once the lines have been set for your baskets or planters you can water all of them manually or by simply adding water to the pump container until it comes on. If you want to add more simply let the cycle run and add water again. This always waters all the plants, not just one at a time.
This all sounds complicated but is simple. The pump fills up, pumps it out, then shuts off. The purpose of the Watering Rock is to fill the pump over time to provide intermittent automatic watering.
The Watering Rock holds 5 gallons of water. The duration till next fill of the Watering Rock is determined by how many gravity drippers are going to other plants and how fast the dripper from the Watering Rock is set to fill the pump reservoir.
If used exclusively for the pump, the Watering Rock may only need to be filled once a week. Each watering cycle dispenses approximately 3cups of water and nutrients(if added to the water), 4cups= 1qt.
The new system includes a pump that does require electricity. The pump included has a 15’ lift limit which should be able to reach the height of most hanging baskets.
The system with Watering Rock includes:
Sandstone or White Granite Watering Rock
50’ of 1/4” drip line, 10 adjustable drippers, 8 T barbs
1 threaded barb, clear vinyl bag to cover the pump housing and directions.
This system is available online at eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and www.watering-rocks.com.
