Caring for pots and containers through summer

We put a lot of effort into planting up pots, hanging baskets and containers for summer colour. Modern varieties of seasonal bedding plants can be relied upon to deliver a fantastic display, given the right growing medium, regular watering and enough nutrients to keep them going. However they use up a lot of feed in the early weeks, putting on growth and that first display of flowers. Without a little care and attention that summer display can be short lived, especially if they have been put under extra pressure with hot weather, lack of water and neglect while you have been away on holiday. Even if they are looking a little forlorn after midsummer, all is not lost: you can revive them to ensure a late summer display that can last well into autumn.

Dead-heading 

Removal of faded flowers and developing seedheads is very important with some varieties. Not only does it improve the appearance of the plants, but it prevents the plants putting energy into seed production rather than more flowers. With some plants, sweet peas for example, developing seed-heads gradually stops growth and the plants begin to decline. Basically the plant thinks it has done its job and can set seed and die. Keep removing the seed-heads and the plants keep blooming. Petunias, geraniums, antirrhinums, cosmos and dahlia are just some of the plants that benefit from dead-heading.

Other subjects such as begonias are generally self-cleaning. In other words the faded flowers just fall away and new blooms keep coming. Recent years have seen an increase in the popularity of begonias such as the ‘Million Kisses’ series. Masses of flowers, a very long flowering period and shade tolerance have led to their wide use in patio pots and hanging baskets.

Cutting back

Some container plants, such as the various varieties of Nemesia aromatica, benefit from a mid-season cut back. Although there may be flowers at the tips of the stems, cutting back to the base of the existing flower stems ensures more compact plants and plenty of new flowers which will bloom for longer. The training Petunia surfinia varieties are often best treated in the same way if the plants have become thin and straggly.

Watering and Feeding

It goes without saying that regular watering is essential, especially when you are expecting the plants to produce new growth. You may have incorporated a slow-release fertiliser when the pots were planted, however now is the time to give those plants an extra boost.  This is where Vitax Tub & Hanging Basket Feed comes in. Just add it to the watering can when watering and it delivers all the major plant nutrients in a form that is quickly and easily absorbed. It also contains a wetting agent which helps it to penetrate the compost and stay there, rather than just draining through the hole in the bottom of the pot. Modern soil-less composts can be quite difficult to re-wet once they dry out.

Flowers and Fruit

There is growing interest in mixing fruit and vegetable plants with flowers in patio containers, especially as gardens get smaller. The compact, trailing and bush varieties of tomatoes, chillies and dwarf aubergines look great in pots alongside flowers, which also benefit the fruiting crops by attracting pollinators. However these fruiting crops can be particularly demanding when it comes to nutrient supply. Vitafeed Flower & Fruit is the perfect solution. Here again you just add it to the watering can, it dissolves immediately and delivers plenty of nitrogen for growth as well as lots of potash for flowers and to encourage the production and ripening of fruit. It also contains other vital nutrients such as copper, iron, zinc and manganese. Use it all round the garden on flowers and vegetables to really give your plants a boost. It is perfect for those plants you have cut back or any that have suffered some neglect.

These simple steps in summer container care can keep your pots and baskets blooming well into autumn. In recent years autumn weather has been fair and mild and seasonal bedding can look good right through to Halloween with a little help from you.

Andy McIndoe for Vitax