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Petunia (or alternatives) - supermarket variety or branded? Any difference?

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  • Pete.8 said:
    I think all calibrachoa trail.
    I'd go for 4 or 5 but not putting one at the back if it won't be seen
    I think you might need something in there for some height too

    Thanks. Yes it’s against a fence so won’t put one at the back.

    height? Any examples of what you mean? 
  • Chris-P-BaconChris-P-Bacon Posts: 943
    I buy stuff from Lidl quite often. Most is ok although I repot into my own compost as soon as possible. Some they sell off half dead for pence. It's quite satisfying bringing them back to life.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I use geraniums or fuschias to give some height - it depends on how you want it to look.
    I usually squeeze in a few lobelias (trailing or upright) too

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • I buy stuff from Lidl quite often. Most is ok although I repot into my own compost as soon as possible. Some they sell off half dead for pence. It's quite satisfying bringing them back to life.
    Agree it is!
  • Pete.8 said:
    I use geraniums or fuschias to give some height - it depends on how you want it to look.
    I usually squeeze in a few lobelias (trailing or upright) too
    Thanks for the tip and suggestions.

    When I see photos online of hanging baskets with million bells /calibrachoa they look big and round with only the million bells but I guess these photos are probably misleading

     Case in point: 

    https://www.jparkers.co.uk/million-bells-collection-1012672c
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    :) yes the photos do look good.
    If I could manage to grow them like that I'd not need any additions like geraniums etc
    Whilst I'm happy with the way mine perform, they're nothing like as big and bountiful as those in the pics.
    I imagine they're raised under lights and then in a greenhouse and fed well, so by the time they go out they're big plants.
    A nursery down the road sells hanging baskets of them like the photos, but they are kept in the greenhouses under halide lights until ready for the customers who ordered them.
    Have a go with just the calibrachoa and if they don't fill the baskets, then pop in some other plants.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Pete.8 said:
    :) yes the photos do look good.
    If I could manage to grow them like that I'd not need any additions like geraniums etc
    Whilst I'm happy with the way mine perform, they're nothing like as big and bountiful as those in the pics.
    I imagine they're raised under lights and then in a greenhouse and fed well, so by the time they go out they're big plants.
    A nursery down the road sells hanging baskets of them like the photos, but they are kept in the greenhouses under halide lights until ready for the customers who ordered them.
    Have a go with just the calibrachoa and if they don't fill the baskets, then pop in some other plants.
    Thank you! Good to know all this to avoid disappointment.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Some will disagree, but I find using the water retaining crystals in the compost mix for baskets does help with water retention.
    Sometimes I'd have to water baskets twice a day, I find less so using the water retaining gel/crystals
    e.g.-
    https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Miracle-Gro-Moisture-Control-Plant-Food/dp/B00187ZAUO/ref=sr_1_11?crid=2S6NO6WGIBURY&dchild=1&keywords=water+retaining+granules+for+plants&qid=1621245063&sprefix=water+ret%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-11

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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