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Surfinias in hanging baskets looking sad

MumoftwoMumoftwo Posts: 8
in Problem solving
I've planted two of the plastic easy fill hanging baskets (15") with double headed surfinias (20 plants in each). Up until about a week ago they were splendid and full of large flowers. Now the leaves on the ones in the bottom layer are turning brown, the heads are dying quickly and new heads are dying before they've got big enough to produce a proper flower. I water them every day and they feel moist (from as much as I can tell from hooking my finger in the bottom later). What is wrong with them please experts?
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  • MumoftwoMumoftwo Posts: 8
    Thank you Verdun. Only sticky when I deadhead them, as is the norm with these flowers. Otherwise there's no sickness and no sign of aphids or anything sinister crawling around. Would they do this I'd they were over-watered? The leaves that have turned brown are also crispy.
  • MumoftwoMumoftwo Posts: 8
    I'll try leaving them to soak in a bucket to see what happens. I have been giving them 2.5 litres every day as I know ganging baskets need a lot of water. It comes out of the holes near the bottom. They weren't in hair net things, Tetley, but I know what you mean - those things are awful. Thank you!
  • pottering girlpottering girl Posts: 236

    It may be that water is not being held in the container long enough for them and pouring straight out. So as suggested give them a good dunk.  If they do pick up then you know that is the problem.  Having said that, I have lots of surfinias and all are doing well except one plant that just died and it was in moist soil.  I have never seen that happen before as they are normally really hardy.  Very odd.  

  • cathy43cathy43 Posts: 373

    perhaps give them a bit of a feed with tomato fertilizer, although you have to water a lot it can leach all the nutrients from the compost or put in a few slow release pellets.  You are maybe already doing this, if so, ignore meimage

  • MumoftwoMumoftwo Posts: 8
    Thank you pottering girl and Cathy43 - I did feed them but made no difference. Such a shame as they were looking gorgeous! Will give them a good dunking...????
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    I wonder if you may have over planted? I do one surfinia to a 14" basket they do tend to get sticky especially when humid. I just spray with soapy water

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • MumoftwoMumoftwo Posts: 8
    Thanks lily pilly. I was also wondering if I'd over planted and they're now struggling as they've become bigger. Think next year I'll go back to a standard hanging basket, not the easy fill ones.
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