Many attractive plant are suitable for polish in suspended basketful . For this determination plants of a drooping habit of growth are preferable , as their pendulous stem , descend over the side of the baskets , exhibit the flowers or foliage to the good reward . hang baskets are made of various material ; those of galvanized wire are the most popular , as they are light and last for many years . teak or cypress wood baskets are used for orchids of droop growth .
Filling the Baskets
The baskets are lined with a thick layer of moss or pieces of fibrous sod , and are then filled with grime . at last , the plant life are inserted , some at the side , others at the top of the basket , so that the latter will be well furnished . The stain is thoroughly moisten and the basketful is then hung in office . It is most necessary to keep the grime moist . If this detail is neglected the plant will not flourish . The most convenient way of watering is by lowering the handbasket to the ground and immersing them in a vas of water .
For the Greenhouse
These basketful require a minimum winter temperature of 50 degrees F. Soil is used similar to that required for the same plants when they are develop in pots . These are the most pop kinds grown for their ornamental leaves alone : Smilax ; Asparagus Sprengeri ; the Ferns named Nephrolepis exaltata , Davallia dissecta elegans , and Adiantum cuneatum ; trail Coleus ; Chlorophytum elatum , Tradescantia fluminensis , and Zebrina pendula . The bestflowering plantsare Campanula isophylla ; Jasminum primulinum ; Clianthus Dampieri and C. puniceus ; Fuchsias ; Begonias of drooping increase ; B. semperflorens ; Impatiens Sultanii ; Saxifraga sarmentosa ; Abutilon megapotamicum ; Achimenes ; Lachenalia ; Zygocactus truncatus ; Ceropegia Woodii ; and Aeschynanthus Lobbianus .
For the Porch, Window and Balcony
These baskets are principally used on porch and on balconies to provide a show during the summertime . Theplants are select from those which are used for summer flowerbeds . Each field goal may be plant with one assortment or the plants can be mixed to suit individual predilection . When dwarf plants of upright increase are used , they are placed on top of the basket , and those of drooping growth are planted around the side of meat . The postdate all do well in baskets : Ivy Geranium , Zonal Geranium , Fuchsia , Marguerite , Ageratum , Sweet Alyssum ( Lobularia ) , Vinca major variegata , Nepeta hederacea variegata , Lobelia , Petunia , Heliotrope , Nasturtium , Phlox Drummondii , Verbena , and Gazania splendens .
The plant are set in the baskets in spring ; the baskets are suspended in a greenhouse for a few weeks , and are then bit by bit hardened off and placed out of doors after the weather is lovesome and settled . If no greenhouse is useable the plants are set in the field goal when it is strong enough for them to be outdoors , the baskets being hung in a umbrageous spot for a week or two . A compost of rich garden soil or adequate percentage of loam , leaf cast and rotten manure are desirable for these flora . During the summertime the soil must be kept forever moist .
