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Begin by clipping off dead flowers and browning leaves. See! It
looks better already. Now cut back yellowing stems and stems with
a good many yellowing leaves to encourage the plant to send out
new shoots. If your plant has trailing stems, you may have to detangle
the stems first to determine which are worth keeping.
If you're like me, you may find it hard to clip off buds that will
be opening soon, so use your own judgment to determine if this is
necessary. A plant with a lot of damage will have more trouble recovering
if it's trying to support buds during the recovery period, and the
buds may eventually fall off without opening anyway. If the damage
is mild, leave the buds that are on undamaged stems in place.
Watering a dried out basket can be difficult. You may find that
as you pour water into the basket it simply runs out without wetting
the soil. The best way to overcome this is to run a pan of tepid
water, and add a drop or two of dishwashing liquid. The dishwashing
liquid acts as a wetting agent and allows the water to soak into
the soil. Set your plant inside the pan of water and leave it for
at least an hour, or until the basket is saturated, and mist the
plants a time or two while they soak. If there are heavy chains
or ropes attached to your basket, support them with a stick so that
they don't lay on top of your plants. When the plants are dry, it
doesn't take much weight to break the stems and leaves.
At this point we want to do everything we can to help our plants
get back on their feet, but it's best to avoid feeding them for
about five days. This gives them time to overcome the shock before
trying to send out new shoots.
Watch your recovering plants closely for signs of insects or disease.
In their weakened state, they are more susceptible to pests and
fungus, and they should be treated right away if you suspect a problem.
Before you know it, your basket will be bursting with blooms again.
About the Author:
Jackie Carroll is the editor of GardenGuides.com, a leading internet
destination for gardening information and ideas.
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