Hanging baskets are now coming to their peak of perfection. Plants established at the end of May are filling baskets with colour. While everything appears to be in order, great care must be taken from now onwards to ensure their continued success.

By now, the compost will have become full of roots and drained of almost all nourishment. The lightweight soil-less composts, which are popularly used for hanging baskets, have a limited life. Once the first great surge of growth has been made, they are exhausted.

Feeding is vital if flowers and foliage are to be maintained in peak condition. Use a liquid feed, ideally one with plenty of potash, for it is this plant nutrient which promotes the successful development of flowers. A tomato feed is well-balanced in this respect and quite safe to use for hanging basket plants.

Use such a feed according to the instructions supplied for tomatoes, adding it to the watering can every ten days or a fortnight. Of course, it will only be successful if the plants receive a constant supply of moisture as well and with baskets now being filled with roots regular heavy watering is a priority.

Hanging baskets should always be watered thoroughly, damping the compost sufficient to darken its colour is inadequate. Water must be seen draining through the base of the basket.

If a basket dries out and the plants begin to flag, it may be difficult to wet the compost again. When this happens, add a drop of washing up liquid to the water in the can and dispense as usual. Dry, encrusted soil-less composts will then absorb the water, as if by magic.

Plants in hanging baskets are very crowded together, so constant manicuring is desirable in order to maintain a balanced appearance. Stray shoots, fading foliage and spent blossoms must all be checked on daily. Neglect will lead to the rapid decline of the basket.

If you have not been able to establish your hanging basket yet there is still time to make one up. Most of the bedding subjects that are popular for this purpose are now sold out or too large to transplant successfully, however, fuchsias and geraniums are still plentiful and can be very successfully used for single variety baskets.

Although not as popular as the mixed cottage garden basket, the most successful hanging baskets are always created from a single plant variety. The compost can be adjusted to suit the plants' particular requirements and the plants being of the same stature and behaviour, easily create a balanced appearance. When making up a basket this late in the season do not be fooled into thinking that the bigger the plants that are included, the better. Smaller vigorous plants generally create a much better effect and at this time of the year take very little time to become established.

WHAT'S NEW

Lavender Perfection is the latest multiflowered hanging petunia.

Star of India is a pure white, fragrant waterlily for the indoor pool or water feature.

Summer Showers are a mixed coloured strain of annual evening primrose.

Q A few weeks ago I bought a Busy Lizzie. It has grown and flowered well, but is leaning in one direction. How can I straighten it up?

A Plants usually lean towards the light. Move the plant into a well lit window and it should correct itself.

Q How can I stop my parsley going to seed?

A You cannot. Parsley is a biennial plant and during its second season will run to seed. It is best to raise parsley annually.