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Let baby plants dry out? Can't be right?

CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
in Problem solving
Hey guys, I was having a mooch about in the garden centre today and I overheard a conversation with a customer and a member of staff and he was saying that when you plant a hanging basket full of baby plants that you should give it a really good water... And then leave the compost to go completely dry. Something to do with the roots? Can this be right? Surely you should always keep the compost moist but he said let it dry completely until it is bone dry? Can anyone shed any light on this for me? Thanks

Posts

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    Sounds like tosh to me, dryish compost will encourage roots to seek out water but bone dry is hanging basket suicide.

  • darren636darren636 Posts: 666
    Letting the soil dry out is what Monte don recommends.

    This encourages roots to explore the ground around them.



    This ain't good advice for hanging baskets or pots!

    Never let pots dry out, unless we're talking aonium!
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
    Well actually I said garden centre but it was actually a nursery where the guy said this so that's what made me think about it more because I think surely this guy knows what he is talking about.



    So is this a good idea for ground plants or is it a no no?
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