| 11 months ago :: May 05, 2009 - 6:42PM #1 | |
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I live in northeast PA up in the Pocono mountains. What kind of annuals will do well in pots if the summer turns out to be a bit more rainy than usual? I need suggestions for the pots I put on my back deck which is USUALLY sunny for most of the day. Petunias and geraniums usually do well unless it rains too much. Then they turn to mush! I also have hummingbird feeders back there too, and the hummers have been coming back year after year. So, something that will draw them would be a help, too. Thanks! |
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| 11 months ago :: May 05, 2009 - 8:58PM #2 | |
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When growing in containers( in rainy areas) i would suggest a really aerated potting soil. Being certain that your pots have accurate drainage holes (drill some if u have too) and that they have some kind of container stand, so the pots are not flat on the ground. First Be SURE you use POTTING SOIL when growing in containers, then your best bet would to be to buy a bag of perlite and or vermiculite. Mix your potting soil with the vermiculite /perlite at around 1-2 parts perlite/ vermiculite to 4-3 parts potting soil. Your potting soil then should be accurately aerated, meaning when your water your plants the water should flow rite out of the drain holes. To help hold moister add a layer of compost and or top soil and another layer of some type of top mulch, if you live in a really humid area stray from vegetative mulch instead go with a plastic or bark. Now when growing any garden for wild life, weather an insectory garden or butterfly/humming bird garden You Must Follow the golden rule on not using any harsh chemical Pesticides. These will harm and may kill what your garden tends to attract so try natural soaps or oils when using pesticides. As for humming bird annuals, im pretty sure salvia's works well, my pineapple sage gets a lot of attention. Also geraniums, verbena, dianthus, vinca, morning glories, and smaller-flowered petunias are what i got from this web site www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4DMG/Flow.... Im confidant any tubular shaped blossoms with nectar is what hummingbirds are looking for so give Iris's a try, also Bird of Paradise, Beard Tongue, California Fuchsia , Lion's Tail, and Trumpet Honeysuckle. Again your potting soil is real important when growing in containers, avoid pesticides, be sure the poitting soil is aerated and the pots have accurate drain holes. Hope this helped |
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| 11 months ago :: May 06, 2009 - 12:09AM #3 | |
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Also, in the conditions you described, you may have better success with standard annuals if you plant in terra cotta. Terra cotta pots are very porous and dry out more quickly than a sealed container or plastic one. So if you have a good amount of sun but a good amount of rain every couple of days, the terra cotta will help draw water out of your regular potting media, much to the benefit of plants like geranium, petunia and others. If you don't wish to delve into terra cotta, which can be a bit more pricey, impatiens, twinspur (Diascia), various coleus and wax begonias (as long as soil isn't soggy) will tolerate a good amount of sun in your highland region if the soil is moist. With summer's heat, you could also use dwarf selections of canna as well as caladiums. Various caladiums will tolerate more sun better than others, but all appreciate moist, warm soils in summertime. |
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