My Lobelias in Hanging Baskets Are Dying

Hanging Basket

• Lobelias need adequate drainage, so choose hanging baskets that allow water to drain freely. Wire baskets with natural liners like sphagnum moss or coco are the best but hanging baskets with drainage holes on the bottom are also sufficient. Create drainage in hanging baskets that do not have holes by adding a 1-inch-thick layer of gravel or pebbles at the bottom of the hanging basket before adding the growing medium. The excess water will drain down into the stones instead of accumulating around the plant roots.

Growing Medium

• Lobelias prefer soil that drains well. This factor becomes especially important when they are planted in hanging baskets, in which soil becomes compacted easily. When planting lobelias in hanging baskets, it is best to use a mixture that does not contain garden soil. Such potting mixes generally comprise sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite and perlite to provide adequate drainage in hanging baskets.

Water

• Lobelia plants in hanging baskets generally need more frequent watering than those planted in the ground. A hanging basket's potting mixture dries out more quickly and the roots are in a more compact area with less space to spread out and absorb water. Water the lobelias when the top inch or two of the potting mixture feels dry to the touch. Don't allow it to completely dry out; the lobelias will wilt. Water the lobelias close to the rim of the baskets rather than from overhead to avoid wetting the foliage, which creates a prime breeding ground for diseases. The hotter and sunnier the location, the more water the lobelias will require.

Light

• Lobelias' lighting needs depend on the intensity of the sun and heat. In regions with harsh, hot summers, place the hanging baskets in a lightly shaded area. In regions with moderate summers, place the lobelias where they will receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade. Place the hanging baskets in full sun to partial shade in regions with mild summers.

Insects and Diseases

• Aphids and mites are the most prevalent pests of lobelias. These insects suck the juices from the leaves and cause them to turn yellow and mottled and decrease the vigor of the plant. Spray the lobelias thoroughly with an insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests. Set the hanging baskets out of direct sunlight as you spray to avoid burning the plants. Rust and leaf spot are the most common lobelia diseases. Rust is easy to spot because of the bright orange or yellow spots or streaks on the leaves. It's caused by poor air circulation and overhead watering. Leaf spot is caused by a wide range of fungi. Various colored and shaped spots appear on the leaves and they may grow in size and encompass the flower. Remove areas of the lobelias that are damaged by any disease and apply Bacillus subtilis, which is a bacterium that is effective in counteracting rust and fungi.