ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE (2+1)

Hanging baskets and window boxes

• Hanging baskets or window boxes full of flowers or foliage plants give a colour boost to the house and garden. They can be used effectively even in a very small space.


• By selecting plants carefully, they can be changed to suit every season.


• Site selection is important for baskets and boxes. Hang the basket so that it will be close to eye level so that it can be admired as well as watered easily. Window boxes should extend the entire width of the window for best appearance.


• A lightweight potting mix is needed for container gardening. Soil-less planting mixes provide excellent drainage, aeration and water-holding capacity that ordinary garden soil cannot supply.


• Drainage is essential so that the planting mix will not become water-logged.


• Plastic or wire baskets are ideal containers for hanging baskets and window boxes


• Liners are used in wire hanging baskets to hold the soil and plants in position. Liners can be made of dried sphagnum moss or coconut fiber known as coir.


• Small, healthy, young plants are selected since they adapt to new surroundings much faster than older plants.


• Plants with a variety of colours, shapes and textures are planted.


• Daily or even twice-daily watering may be necessary since containers can dry out very quickly.


• Frequent watering flushes nutrients from the soil quickly and hence frequent fertilizing is also necessary.