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How To Revive Hanging Baskets – Give New Life To Worn Out Plants!

Whatever you do, don’t throw away those overgrown hanging basket plants – not when you can revive and rejuvenate your plants for a gorgeous second life!

For many homeowners, by mid-summer, the beautiful and overflowing hanging baskets they purchased back in the spring begin to fade. And it can happen seemingly overnight.

The hundreds of blooms that once covered the entire plant are now few and far between. And, the few blooms that do appear are anything but bright and cheery. Even the dark green foliage, stems and shoots begin to turn pale, light and yellow.

how to rejuvinate hanging baskets
By mid-summer, many hanging baskets and container plants begin to lose their luster. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw them out!

Unfortunately, it is a fate all too common for most container and hanging basket plants. And in most cases, it’s not from a lack of water or attention. Instead, it is often simply from the plants outgrowing their living space.

Why Baskets And Containers Fail In Mid-Summer – How To Revive Hanging Basket Plants

By the time you purchase plants in the early spring, they have already spent an incredibly long time in their respective containers. And we are not talking just weeks, but in most cases, months!

In order to get container plants to bloom in the early spring, growers start plants months in advance in greenhouses. Sometimes as early as December or January.

Check out our Podcast on Hanging Basket Care…

And although they are healthy, thriving, and blooming when you first pick them up, their roots also have already started to run out of space. And when that happens, it spells big trouble for the long-term health of your plants.

Signs of Early Trouble And How To Take Action – How To Revive Hanging Basket Plants

The first sign of trouble is the pass-through watering phase. Meaning, as soon as you water, it goes right through and out the bottom of the plant in seconds.

It’s a tell tale sign that a plant is root bound. And at this point, the plants are no longer able to absorb water or nutrients. No matter how much or how often you provide them.

In addition, the little soil that is left in the container is now completely void of any nutrients, having long-ago given them up to the plant. See our article : The Best Way To Fertilize Hanging Baskets

revive hanging baskets
As plants weaken and start to pale, it is time to take action. Most hanging basket and container plants simply run out of room and nutrients, and without help, will slowly fade away.

But even though your plants might be suffering, weak and turning pale – it’s certainly no reason to throw them out.

In fact, there is a simple and easy way to give them a huge new life. And at the same time, bring massive color to your landscape. And no, we are not talking about replanting them into a larger container – but instead, planting them right into your flowerbeds!

How To Replant Hanging Baskets & Potted Plants Into The Landscape For A Second Life – How To Revive Hanging Basket Plants

Giving new life to a tired old plant boils down to two simple things. Giving it more space, and fresh, new soil that is teeming with nutrients.

Unfortunately, by mid-summer, many hanging basket and container plants are so large that it is nearly impossible to find a suitable container.

petunias
Once failing baskets can find new life and new blooms when planted in the ground.

Not only can it can be a lot of work, but also quite expensive to continue purchasing more soil and larger pots. And unfortunately, those re-potted plants can outgrow their new space quickly as well.

And that is exactly where planting your struggling hanging baskets and containers directly into your flowerbeds is the answer. It’s quick, easy, and adds a huge burst of color and texture to your landscape in seconds!

Replanting Hanging Baskets Directly Into Flowerbeds – How To Revive Hanging Basket Plants

Begin by removing the potted plant from it’s original container. In most cases, when plants are root-bound, they will lift easily from their vessel.

Next, break apart the root ball gently, starting from the bottom. You can usually use your hands for this task, but if they are extremely bound, use a sharp knife or blade to slice them free a bit. When you replant hanging baskets, this step is vital in allowing roots and shoots to spread out into their new surroundings.

Give Them Plenty Of Space

Next, dig a hole in the landscape twice the diameter, and 1-1/2 times the depth of the root ball. Add in equal parts of compost and soil back into the hole, setting the base of the plant even with the soil line.

Be sure to water the root’s deeply when re-planting, and cover with mulch to help hold moisture in. When re-planting, this is the perfect time to boost your plants with a little liquid fertilizer.

Applying a dose of compost tea or liquid fertilizer helps the plant to re-energize and develop new roots into the surrounding soil quickly. Keep the plants well watered for the first few weeks, and re-apply fertilizer every few weeks.

You will be amazed at how fast your once-sad plant will readjust and take off. Here is to reviving your hanging basket plants for a second life this summer!

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