Expert: C.L. Fornari - 7/26/2003

Question
Hi,
I have petunias in two hanging baskets that seem to have dried out... The leaves are turning yellow and the soil is dry, even though I water them almost every day.  They do receive alot of sun light... Could it possibly be too much sunlight, or is it possible there is some kind of a bug or mite problem?  The plants are still flowering, although they seem straggly...
Thank you.

Answer
Tina,
They have probably dried out... if a hanging plant is in the sun, and the weather is hot, it can sometimes need watering twice a day!  As the plant grows, the basket gets so filled with roots that the soil actually holds less water, so you might have to water mid-day and evening, or at least every day.  Also, it is good to water a dry plant once, and then after the water has soaked in for a few minutes, water it deeply again.  This is because sometimes the first water just runs right around the dry soil or right through.  The second watering insures that the soil is well soaked.  

At this point, clip about a third of the stems back by at least half, and about ten days or so clip another third back, and finially the last third ten days later.  At the same time you clip the first third back, fertilize with a liquid fertilizer AFTER the soil has been well watered.  (NEVER fertilize a thirsty plant.) This should help rejuvinate the plant for the rest of the summer.

I hope this helps!
C.L.