Watering & Fertilizing Instructions
Please ensure your basket is ready for the weather—hardening off may be required!
Fertilizing
For New Guinea Impatiens (both Hanging Baskets & Wallbags)
- These containers are NOT pre-fertilized, but are LIGHT FEEDERS and should not get too much fertilizer. Use ½ strength 20-20-20 once a week. To make ½ strength fertilizer, use about 1 ½ level teaspoons per gallon (4 litres). Use warm water to completely dissolve the fertilizer crystals before use.
For Wall Pots & all Patio Planters
- These containers are NOT pre-fertilized, and should get a weekly feeding of 20-20-20 at full strength. To make full-strength fertilizer, use about 3 level teaspoons per gallon (4 litres). Use warm water to completely dissolve the fertilizer crystals before use.
For All Other Hanging Baskets, including Tomato Baskets & Wallbags
- These baskets ARE pre-fertilized, but still need a weekly feeding at ½ strength of 20-20-20, for optimum show. To make ½ strength fertilizer, use about 1 ½ level teaspoons per gallon (4 litres). Use warm water to completely dissolve the fertilizer crystals before use.
|
Container Type |
Pre-Fertilized? |
Fertilizer Strength |
Fertilizer Amount (per 4L) |
Frequency |
Notes |
|
New Guinea Impatiens (Hanging Baskets & Wallbags) |
No |
½ strength |
1½ tsp |
Once a week |
Light feeders – avoid over-fertilizing. Use warm water to dissolve. |
|
Wall Pots & Patio Planters |
No |
Full strength |
3 tsp |
Once a week |
Not pre-fertilized – feed weekly. Use warm water to dissolve. |
|
Other Hanging Baskets (Tomato Baskets & Wallbags) |
Yes |
½ strength |
1½ tsp |
Once a week |
Pre-fertilized but still needs weekly feeding for best blooms. |
ALL WATERING AND FERTILIZING SHOULD BE DONE UNTIL WATER DRIPS OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER
Watering
- Watering frequency will vary from once every second day on rainy, cool days to two times a day or more on very hot or windy days.
- When adjusting to weather conditions, the best indicator is the weight of the container, not the “finger test”. When watering or fertilizing, water until it runs out of the bottom of the container. Note: Watch for shrinkage gaps after severe drying – in this case, water will prematurely run out the bottom – if this happens, place the container in a bowl full of water until fully saturated.
- Wallbags need patient watering. The TOP half and the BOTTOM half of the bag are watered separately. The top is watered directly through the soil surface, and the bottom is watered through the pipe. Alternate watering the soil surface and the pipe until water drips out of the bottom drain holes.
- Geraniums and mixed sun baskets should be placed in bright locations with a reasonable amount of direct sun. Petunias and Calibrachoas are best for full sun.
- Fuchsias, Begonias, all Impatiens, and mixed shade baskets should be placed in bright, but shaded or filtered sunlight locations, and could receive direct sunlight early in the morning or late in the evening. Except Boliviensis Begonias, which would tolerate sun for most of the day, but will do alright in very bright shade locations.
FAQs – Common Kelowna Watering & Fertilizing Questions
It depends on the weather. Water every second day on cool, rainy days — and up to twice a day during hot or windy weather.
Don’t use the “finger test” — lift the container instead. If it feels light, it likely needs water.
Water until it runs out the bottom of the container.
Place the whole container in a bowl of water and let it soak until fully saturated.
Water the top half through the soil surface and the bottom half through the pipe. Alternate both until water drips from the bottom drain holes.
- Full sun: Petunias and Calibrachoas
- Bright sun (some direct sun): Geraniums and mixed sun baskets
- Bright shade or filtered light: Fuchsias, Begonias, Impatiens, and mixed shade baskets
- Flexible (sun or bright shade): Boliviensis Begonias
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