Expert: C.L. Fornari - 7/5/2007

Question
I have some petunias that are planted in hanging baskets.  Live in Northern Minnesota.  Recently had a bit of wind so I took them down and placed them in  a standing urn like planter( not realizing that there weren't hole drilled in there for drainage yet)  after a couple of days took them out and now they are brown and look really terrrible.  I am trying to put some life back into them and hung them back out in the sun, and not watering them at this point, but I am truely concerned they may be past the point of saving.   Any suggestions?  They were so beautiful and to see them like this is making me ill.  So afraid that I have pretty much drowned them.

Answer
Mary,
You are doing the right thing by letting them dry for awhile.  You might also cut half of the stems back by 2/3.  (Cut 2/3 of their length off) which will help stimulate new growth if life remains.  

If the ends of those stems that you cut off are alive, they should root pretty easily: cut 6" pieces off, remove lower leaves and coat the stems in rooting hormone available at your local garden center.  Put them in moist new potting mix and keep in a light but not direct sun location until they show signs of starting to grow.

If your basket shows signs of growth after a week, at this point give it a MILD application of fertilizer, but only after you see signs of growth.

If they don't come back, know that you're not alone....I've always said that we aren't real gardeners unless we've killed plants.

all the best,
C.L.