Topic: Keep Your Summer Flowers Flowering All Summer

[the_snail]

This is a tip I gave for in the non edible section with regards to fuschias that stop flowering. If you feed your containers with tomato food they will flower for longer as the tomato food contains high levels of potasium which promotes plants to flower.

The_Snail

[supersprout]

I'm not a flower person but have had to adopt some in our communal garden :P
I read that cutting back after some of the perennial stalky flowers have bloomed can get a second crop bloom, so have ruthlessly done this (needed the shredded stalks for allotment mulch ;)). Has anyone else done this?

[Hyacinth]

Yep, SS, I've done that with some of my old ladies' fuchsias.....didn't know if it was 'right' - more that it seemed a good idea at the time ::)  Thanks for the tomato food tip, Snail. The ladies have been quite disappointed with their show this year & I'll feed their plants this coming week.

Cheers! Lishka

[the_snail]

Yes Sprout that is a good tip also. It works good on things like the cranesbill geraniums. Things that are herbaceaous and grow a little leggy after flowering. Just cut them back and give them some diluted liquid feed then bingo in a month or two you will have a healthy looking plant with flowers to match.

The_Snail

[supersprout]

Thank you _snail and Lish, my neighbours will shortly think I'm a flower expert!
hehehehehe ;) 8) ;D

[grawrc]

You got a shredder sprouty? (green with envy)

[supersprout]

Yes anne, I got a new shredder and lo the difference it makes to stalky cuttings and mulching pleasure ;D ;D ;D

[grawrc]

Mmmm.... (thinks) ... I've got a birthday coming up ;) Could always try asking? ::) :P