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What
you need
• Hanging baskets with a minimum diameter of
50cm (approximately 2ft)
• A selection of bougainvilleas
• Searles Peat 80 Plus potting mix
• Searles Flourish Soluble Plant Food |
Bougainvilleas
produce some of the most dazzling colours in the garden, but
did you know they are stunning when grown in hanging baskets?
The Searle family has been doing this for many years and has
some brilliant displays, from bright gold through to mauve,
purple, scarlet, magenta, yellow and sunset orange - they
even come in white!
When purchasing your bougainvilleas, choose specimens which
are not pot bound and select a range of colours for variety.
Some bougainvilleas produce variegated foliage, which is a
pleasing contrast to the vibrant flowering bracts. Plants
sold in 15cm (6in) pots the ideal size for hanging baskets
because their rootball can be easily accommodated in the basket.
Small hanging baskets dry out quickly in hot weather so to
minimise this risk larger sizes are recommended. We suggest
baskets with a minimum diameter of 50cm (2ft) wide are ideal.
There are many different types of hanging baskets from which
to choose, made of a variety of materials including terracotta,
plastic, and wire lined with coconut fibre. Once your bougainvillea
is potted up and watered it will be heavy, so bear in mind
that a light container is best. Wire baskets with a ready-made
coconut fibre lining are not only lightweight, but hold the
water and soil in well.
As previously mentioned, hanging baskets dry out rapidly in
hot weather, so it is essential to use a top quality, water
retentive potting mix, such as Searles Peat 80 Plus Potting
Mix each time. When planting your bougainvillea it's important
to keep the soil at the same level it was when you bought
it in the pot. Place enough potting mix in the bottom to enable
the rootball to sit with its neck level with the top of the
basket. Gently remove the plant from the pot and position
it in the centre of the basket. Lightly pack potting mix around
the sides, smoothing the uppermost surface so it disguises
the old potting mix around the rootball.
When positioning your hanging basket it is important to select
a site which receives full sun all day, a prerequisite if
bougainvilleas are to flower at their best. Hang them in direct
sunlight but away from strong winds and well clear of any
areas where people may knock their heads on them. To ensure
even growth and flowering, rotate your baskets every two to
three weeks.
Container-grown plants require more frequent watering than
those grown in garden beds and as a result, nutrients leach
out quickly. To produce stunning flowers, fertilise fortnightly
with Searles Flourish Soluble Plant Food to ensure that your
plants receive all the food they need for a healthy and productive
life.
Bougainvilleas are rampant growers, so prune vigorously to
the shape of your choice. They are very hardy plants and respond
well to heavy pruning, in fact they demand it! Stop pruning
when flower buds begin to form and begin again when flowering
has finished.
Happy Gardening with Searles from the Searle family.
© Copyright 2002 JC & AT
Searle Pty Ltd
You may make a copy of this Fact Sheet for your personal,
non-commercial use only. Please do not make any other use
of this Fact Sheet without first obtaining our permission. |
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