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Happy New Year All
I've come across an item called a ball basket, which is like two baskets, with one inverted on top of the other.

there thats better than explaining. the question is are they any good?? I know you place a pot in the hole at the top to cut down on the watering, other than that  "I know nothin" " but my mate might" (callard and bowser advert) i tink!!
cheers Kevb

I've never seen one before Kev but it looks interesting. How would it work, does the top basket have a liner as well to prevent the soil washing out? And then are the flowers and plants planted through the liner?

We use something like this for a busy lizzie ball, make up 2 half baskets with liner and fill with compost then put them both together and bind together with wire, then plant up with busy lizzies.....makes a wonderfull display, used all white plants last year and it was beautiful :)

Go for it Kev.  Don't see why you have to buy an expensive item.  Just use two cheapy wire baskets and use cable ties to tie them together.  Well thats what I do anyway.  :-[

I have seen them also, think watering might be interesting.....but worth it for a show stopping display!  I have seen them planted up like that with sempervirums in.  Looked pretty funky!

Please explain further due to ones age cannot quite get the idea, how can two half baskets half filled the top one dosent all the soil fall out or is there a liner in the middle to prevent this OR am i being a complete DIV ::)  HELP

Hi Rosebud
1.- the basket splits in half. but are like a clam (still joined by a plastic tie) or metal clip if commercially bought.
2. you plant them up as you would normally. except that you place a 4" pot through the hole of the top basket (for watering)
3. give both halves a good watering, and make a dome of compost on both sides which will fill any gaps when they're joined together.
4. gently close the two halves together, this is supposed to be easier than it sounds!! with the compost being wet!! then use a few more plastic cable ties to secure the sound the edges and hey presto!! you're done!! (either that or you go and get the brush and shovel, and clear up the mess, cursing KevB for ever mentioning ball baskets) :) :)
I intend having a go, so i will keep you posted!! hopefully with pics.
!!

Quote from: Mimi on January 01, 2006, 20:55:37
Go for it Kev.  Don't see why you have to buy an expensive item.  Just use two cheapy wire baskets and use cable ties to tie them together.  Well thats what I do anyway.  :-[

Hi Mimi
The problem with your idea is the plant pot which is fitted into the top basket to aid watering! (the hole is already cut out). I'm not saying you cant cut a hole out of a plastic basket but without which i reckon you'd have the devil of a job trying to moisten the soil!!
cheers Kevb

Kev, I always use water retention crystals(which helps to retain water).  Then, when watering I just lift the ball down and dunk into water.  Gets a bit heavy but otherwise no probs.

Quote from: Mimi on January 02, 2006, 09:55:29
Kev, I always use water retention crystals(which helps to retain water).  Then, when watering I just lift the ball down and dunk into water.  Gets a bit heavy but otherwise no probs.

Hi Mimi
Doesn't it drown the lower plants and  wash out all the nutrients?also you would need something like a dustbin to plunge the size of these balls, they're 12" diameter PLUS outreach of plants!!
You also mentioned they get a little heavy!!! Is your other name Samson, one basket is heavy enough when watered and lifted to head height or above!! I'd hate to lift two together!! must be close on 25Kgs / 56lbs dead weight. Hope you make the Olympic team Mimi LOL :) :)

I'm with you here Mimi, I use the water retaining crystals and moss as a liner which I find helps to retain some water, and when watering I always start with the Ball and finish with the ball and coz its planted up with busy lizzies which need shade I've never had a watering problem.

Nice idea - as mentioned before, I've seen the same effect done with 2 baskets joined together, and it looks lovely.

(And I love the idea of making one with houseleeks - saves the hassle of having to water it lots..!)

Melanie

I keep meaning to do one of these!

Last couple of years the house baskets have been rather pants, sadly. I think I shall have to get back to using busy lizzies as they're just so good at flowering whatever the conditions. Last year I didn't get the plants I wanted so I shall have to hunt harder this year.

moonbells