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Hanging Basket overwatered

Teresa76Teresa76 Posts: 11
in Problem solving
Hi, I have a lot of hanging baskets and for the first time I have used rain gel to help with water retention. 
However, I have noticed that some of the plants are wilting. I think it is overwatering. Unfortunately I cannot replant. Is there any way I can help them. I have turned off my automatic watering system. 

Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Hello Teresa. I think that all you can do is allow the hanging basket to almost dry out and see if the over watered plants put out some new growth.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    edited June 2019
    You could also consider wind damage (it's been very windy here!) or possibly the dreaded vine weevil - but it sounds as though you're experienced with hanging baskets and have probably made the correct diagnosis yourself. So I'd go with LB's suggestion. 

    You can buy automatic irrigation timers that allow you to water alternate days or once every 3 days if that would help prevent overwatering?
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I'm not sure you can overwater a hanging basket unless it has no drainage holes at all. (I did that one year by mistake. I forgot to puncture the liner).
  • Teresa76Teresa76 Posts: 11
    Thanks for all your help. I have an automatic watering system but think perhaps I will not be using it for a few days. It's such shame as I have received many awards for my baskets. I don't think I will be using raingel again. 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    You wouldn't have needed both. Automatic watering is quite sufficient. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    I had a similar issue when planting up my 2 baskets last year.

    On comments wondering how you can over water a basket, when you've just planted them up surely it's very easy to? It is in my experience. You have small plants and a relatively large amount of compost that could potentially be sodden.
  • BrexiteerBrexiteer Posts: 955
    If it's lined with moss I'd say you'd do well to overwater
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