this is a hanging basket that I made today @ the Brain Injury. Now you might be wondering why I have a sponge in the photo...............well the first thing you put in a hanging basket pot is this sponge it will help keep the moisture inside longer! How neat is that. Then you add the dirt which has horse manure then vermiculite (hey I spelled that right) then you add dirt & mix it all together then I added a spike 2 wave petunias & the bright green is SWEET POTATOES! yep sweet potatoes Apparently it will fill up the basket & last until OCT. I never knew any of this so I thought the tip about the sponge might be nice to share if you never knew too
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Very nice,you can put a sweet potato on water half way up and it will root and grow a vine. Change the water often or it may get stinky. How do I know this? lol
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by pldc
03 Jun 2014
I am not even sure where she bought these sweet potato plants I will have to ask her. I just might try this too. Thanks Bev. ~hugs~
67271Rats. Wish I'd had this hint last week when I repotted three of my planters. After the fact, I also learned that you could lay a small disposable diaper in the bottom for the same use - it would hold the moisture. Now, if I can just remember at least one of these ideas for the next time I need the info!!
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by pldc
03 Jun 2014
I have heard the diaper once before but they could get costly but sponges are so inexpensive. I hope to remember too . ~hugs~
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72397Great pot! thanks for the sponge tip will have to try this next spring (it's officaly winter here tomorrow) maybe I can get something to survive in a pot..
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by pldc
31 May 2014
your welcome & I hope you are able to try it when the weather is good to do so. ~hugs~
45918Very pretty, thanks for the tips on the sponge and the sweet potato. :)
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by pldc
31 May 2014
your welcome & I hope you are able to try it when the weather is good to do so. ~hugs~
35301Beautiful planter. Thanks for the info. I need all the help I can get when growing plants. Joyce
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23577Well, putting a sponge in makes sense to retain moisture longer, but I never thought of it during my YEARS of gardening!! LOL I have always liked the look sweet potato vines give to a group of plants!
Hugs, Angel
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by pldc
30 May 2014
I have never even seen this type of plant so I am looking forward to it's growth & I am glad you like the tip about the sponge too. ~hugs~
125006069Great tip, Loralye! Never heard of the sponge idea or the sweet potatoes as a hanging plant. Thanks for sharing!! **Flowers for all**
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13216Great Idea for the pots and window boxes too! Thanks for sharing!
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111384318493Thank you for this tip, great idea. Lke your hanging pot too.
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48168What a super idea. Thank you for sharing Loralye. Love the hanging basket. Hugs Sarah
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255054Great idea! Thanks for sharing. I love hanging baskets. This one is already pretty - just imagine what it would look like when its all green!
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by anssmile
29 May 2014
The plants will grow so quick, you will have shoots hanging around it, and lots of leaves filling the basket. Remember to show us how it looks in a month!
by graceandham
29 May 2014
You won't believe the speed of growth on that potato vine. It could fill your garden in a season!
by pldc
30 May 2014
wow really, I look forward to seeing it mature. Thank you & your welcome. ~hugs~
8037Great idea. Love the plants in your basket. You are doing a great job of retraining your brain. I may have to retrain mine as well. Hugs Shirley
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52686Excellent! I have more of drainage problems and I just learned that the fibers from the coconut are perfect to add for better drainage.
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173695Great idea and cheaper than what I use here in Australia - I use Saturaid Soil wetter. I hope your plants grow really well and flourish for Springtime. Love Chris
1. Picture of Saturaid, that I use.
2. Picture of the dry crystas and picture of what it looks like when wet. It goes like soft jelly, mushy and squishy!!!! It expands inside your pots or gardens and keeps the roots moist. Because we have long dry spells here in Australia, it's a real boon to have something like this.
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by pldc
29 May 2014
oh wow I think we have something like this for candle jelly? Really interesting too Chris thanks for sharing. ~hugs~
by cfidl
29 May 2014
Isn't this the stuff they said if put in the right spot of a hurricane it will stop it? I think it is... hmmm how long have you been using this product?
by Patricia109
edited 29 May 2014
I have that stuff in pouches. You soak them in a bucket then I lay a pouch across the holes of the pot to stop the soil falling out. I have been using it, here in Australia, for five to ten years.
by Janus48
31 May 2014
This granular stuff is also used in fabric tubes (app. 2" x 24") which you wet and then tie around your neck to keep you cool. Great for those hot flashes. It's a small amount you actually put in the tube as the stuff really grows when wet. I have several I use when gardening to keep me cool. They stay wet and cool but not drippy.
234501I never heard of the sponge idea. But I did hear to first add the Styrofoam packing peanuts. I guess it also holds the moisture. Thank you for sharing the sponge idea. Hugs, Mary
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by Patricia109
29 May 2014
I thought the Styrofoam was just used as a 'filler' aka aerator so that plants that didn't need a heavy soil were in a lighter mix. At least that is what I was told by someone at the African Violet Society when I was drooling over their lovely plants.
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158718I had never heard of adding a sponge before. Good timing since have a few plants to repot soon. You make such interesting things at the Brain Institute. Thanks for sharing them all.
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by pldc
29 May 2014
It helps that we do so many different things, we are supposed to retain it better when we do repeat things & then mix it new things to stimulate brain cells. We are told that this is the theory anyway. I feel like I know more about what we were are doing when I have done it before (like the cards) & the hope is that I will one day be able to do it all on my own & not have to rely on others to help me. I am retraining my brain?
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