| Author | Content |
rebecca30
Fuquay Varina, NC
(Zone 7b)
September 8, 2007
10:22 PM Post #3952981
| Looking for suggestions on what to plants in a sunny window box hanging off my porch railing. My original trailing petunias and ivy from walmart just died. I watered and watered but perhaps I didn't plant them deep enough. Any suggestions as I head to the big box stores this weekend??? Thanks.
rebecca30
This message was edited Sep 8, 2007 10:23 PM
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ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
September 8, 2007
10:50 PM Post #3953072
| I'm not sure about the ivy, but the petunias should do great in a container in the sun. Looking at your picture, you might do better with a window box that's a little deeper, especially as your plants grow and fill in, that one you have doesn't have enough space for a lot of soil to hold water, so unless you're able to water a couple times a day they're probably going to die from not enough water (and even a couple times a day may not be enough). Or if you can't change the window box, I'd go with fewer plants--it won't look as nice and filled in, but the plants will have a better chance. |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
September 8, 2007
10:58 PM Post #3953102
| I find those types of boxes and baskets dry out entirely too quickly. I use them only for succulents. The only way to keep them hydrated in this climate would be to submerse them daily. Might well have been your problem
One option you might try would be plants left in their plastic containers and tucked into your window box. You could then conceal the pots with sphagnum moss and make an attractive display that should require a little less maintenance on your part.
Good luck and please let us know what you replant with... |
rebecca30
Fuquay Varina, NC
(Zone 7b)
September 9, 2007
2:10 PM Post #3954907
| I decide to go with Purslane Oleracea - a succulant that is drought tolerant. Hope it goew well. Wish me luck.
rebecca30 |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
September 10, 2007
7:44 AM Post #3957577
| I like the succulent idea for long term. Recently I saw a fantastic window box using nothing but succulents. Maybe I can find a picture of what I am talking about. |
revclaus
Denver, CO
(Zone 5b)
October 1, 2007
11:50 AM Post #4036839
| Next time try lining your planter with plastic. See [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] for how to do it. Read the whole thread. Somebody else uses plastic for coir pots. Then be sure to water faithfully, daily if necessary. Fertilize, and you should be good to go. |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
October 1, 2007
12:20 PM Post #4036946
| Line it with plastic... now you tell me... LOL |
revclaus
Denver, CO
(Zone 5b)
October 1, 2007
12:48 PM Post #4037021
| I just read about it myself! Wish I'd thought of this years ago. :-( |
rebecca30
Fuquay Varina, NC
(Zone 7b)
November 8, 2007
12:23 AM Post #4170155
| why didn't i think of that.
rebecca30 |
revclaus
Denver, CO
(Zone 5b)
November 8, 2007
3:42 PM Post #4172240
| Yeah, it's such a logical thing to do. Guess we're a little sloooooowww! LOL |
cathy4
St. Louis County, MO
(Zone 5a)
November 9, 2007
2:23 PM Post #4175869
| I'm so glad you shared this, window boxes are on my daughter's wish list for her new house, and the porch faces afternoon sun. This should help! |
rebecca30
Fuquay Varina, NC
(Zone 7b)
November 9, 2007
8:28 PM Post #4176935
| cathy4 - here my Purslane Oleracea. These are my replacement for the original pink Petunia and trailing Ivy. Unfortunately, they died in the summer heat/drought we had. I not very good at keeping up the watering. But after I purchased these, I only had to water like once ever 1.5 weeks or so. And they grew nicely, a perrenial I picked up at Lowe's. :0)
Here the same box with Purslane Oleracea (portulaca) pic taken in early Sept. By October there were little multicolored trailing flowers all over the place.
This message was edited Nov 9, 2007 7:31 PM
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revclaus
Denver, CO
(Zone 5b)
November 10, 2007
1:51 AM Post #4177877
| Looking good! What you really need is more hot weather. They thrive in the heat. Good job! |
moxichick67
Sacramento, CA
November 19, 2007
2:53 AM Post #4208942
| I just mastered the art of keeping wire window box plants alive and thriving! There are a few steps, but well worth it! I found that my plants were dying because the dirt dried out very quickly. Also, they didn't grow very well. Then I did the following (after a few trials and errors) and now have amazingly beautiful window boxes:
1. Line the window box (like the one in the pictures posted) w/ the coconut liner.
2. Take a piece of weed block (1 yard sq or more) and line the inside of the coconut liner (this retains dirt and moister). Create a pouch to hold the dirt in the window box.
3. Mix water retaining crystals (found at nursery stores) with the potting soil. These help retain even more water! The crystals serve as a water dish under pots.
4. Plant your plants (whatever you want) using the potting soil w/ the water retaining crystals.
5. Cut away any excess weed block, but leave one inch above the lip of the window box. Tuck it down over the dirt and under the plants.
6. Sink a few Jobe sticks into the soil (I read that plants do not get many nutrients in window boxes because the nutrients are washed away at every watering!)
7. Cover weed block, Jobe sticks & dirt with micro bark (again, keeps dirt from drying out).
Now sit back and let your plants do their job. You will be amazed as to how beautiful your flowers will broom.
P.S. During the summer (especially if your boxes are out in the sun) check the boxes daily. Where I live it can get up to 110, so I do need to water twice (morning and night). Just the reality of having plants out of the ground or pots.
Good luck!
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rebecca30
Fuquay Varina, NC
(Zone 7b)
November 21, 2007
1:36 AM Post #4216191
| excelletn idea Moxi. :0)
r30 |
revclaus
Denver, CO
(Zone 5b)
November 21, 2007
2:15 PM Post #4217676
| A photo of one of my balcony railing window box plantings in September. Everything Moxi said is true, especially the faithful watering. I don't do all of it because I have self-watering containers which don't require anything more than filling up with potting soil, water crystals, Osmocote and plants. Occasional liquid plant feedings with Blossom Booster help to keep the flowers coming. 
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rebecca30
Fuquay Varina, NC
(Zone 7b)
November 25, 2007
8:07 PM Post #4229157
| goregous. |
