How to care for your climbing plants?

Climbing plants are very delicate and require special care. You need to be able to select the right plants for a particular position. Take care of containers, irrigate the plants as well as add fertilizer. You will also have to protect the plant from chemical agents. The following paragraphs will show you how best to do this.

You will have to select the right plants and be able to group them together. Select plants that will be suitable for the position of your balcony or patio as well as its lighting conditions. If you have limited space in your balcony select slow-growing climbing plants.

Pots, hanging containers and boxes need to be constantly monitored. Containers need to be soaked in water before planting. Lime remains can easily be removed with water or vinegar. A disinfectant should be used to thoroughly clean the container especially if the previous occupant had a disease. Make sure that there are no cracks or spits as this will damage the plant roots.

Watering climbing plants

Climbing plants have long shoots, which normally grow far from the roots. Thus the plant needs periodic watering especially in dry summers. Newly planted climbing plants need frequent water but do not over do it. Do not water the climbing plants during the daytime and remember to water the plants along house walls, in hanging baskets under balconies because these never receive any rain water.

Fertilizer

Climbing plants grow well when they receive not only water, but nutrients as well. Macro-nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and calcium are needed by the plants in large amounts. Trace elements are required in less quantity but are equally important for growth of the plant trace elements include iron, zinc, copper and manganese. Compound fertilizer is ideal for climbing plants as it contains the main nutrients and trace elements in the right amounts.

Annual hanging plants and climbing plants should be supplied with a fertilizer does mixed with water ach week from the last month of spring right until the first month of autumn. Perennials should be fertilized at two week intervals from the last month of spring until the last month of summer. Stop adding fertilizer at the end of the last month of summer to allow shoots to mature.

Organic Vs mineral fertilizer

Organic fertilizers such as matured compost or well-rotted manure are ideal for perennial plants planted outside. Cover the soil surrounding the plant with this fertilizer. Horn chips and bone meal can be added for soil enhancement.

Plants quickly absorb mineral fertilizers and thus are very effective. They are ideal for annual plants in containers during their flowering period or when they are lacking nutrients. You do not have to add mineral fertilizer to climbing plants growing outside.