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The Flower and Herb Bag Company
617 bond street
golden point, vic 3350 australia
03.5331.4305 tel/fax
moreinfo@flowerbag.com.au |www.flowerbag.com.au

Frequently Asked Questions

* Who thought of the idea?

Some years ago, the concept was devised by a Canadian horticulturist. Ten years ago, a nursery in Norfolk, England developed the design. In 1993, we produced the first flower bag in Australia.

* How long does the flower and herb bag last?

The plastic is UV stabilized and designed for Australia's climate. We still have bags growing plants potted in January of 2000. We use only high quality materials and the bags are made in Australia.

* What can I grow in a flower bag?

You can grow a large variety of plants including annuals, perennials and herbs. Check with your local nursery for plants suited to your area. We have grown successfully a number of plants in Victoria, including:

Impatiens, Petunias, Lobelia, Primula 'lollipops', Cinerarias, Nasturtiums, Pansies, Bedding Begonias, Fuchias 'self-dividing varieties', Vinca Serenade, Basil, Curry, Mint, Thyme, Parsley, Spring Onions, Strawberries and more!

For first time users looking for an easy grower we would suggest Impatiens, Petunias and Primula 'lollipops'. Consult your local nursery.

Australia has many different climatic regions. We strongly recommend you consult your local nursery for a selection of suitable seedlings.

* How often do I water the flower bag?

Treat the bag as you would any pot plant or hanging basket. Pour water into the top of the bag and allow it to soak and drip through the corners. You can soak the bag in a tray or container. Rain may not water the bag sufficiently, as there is only a small open surface area of the potting mix.

* What about fertilizer?

Once a week, we use phostrogen soluble nutrients to promote plenty of flowers. Every 3 to 4 months, we add some slow release fertilizer to the top of the bag. Other fertilizers are equally suitable, consult your local nursery. In Victoria, many of our bags have survived through the winter, but with little growth. Some of ours are cut back extensively and not fed until the weather warms up and new growth is evident.

* Can I put soil in the flower bag?

It is essential to use a good quality potting mix or potting compost. We have used several types. We have achieved consistent results with "Debco" terra cotta and tub mix. It is a lightweight mix and has fertilizer nutrients that will last a couple months. Do not expect good results using $2 potting mixes without adding fertilizers, etc.

Approximately 7 and 1/2 litres of mix fills the bag. Some settlement will occur after the bag is hung in position. Just top up and put a plant in the top if desired. Good gardening advice applies, if re-potting a plant in the flower bag wash it out with a sterilizing agent. Your local nursery can advise on suitable products.

* I have filled the flower bag, now what do I do?

The mix in the flower bag must be wet thoroughly. Hold under a tap, watering can or hose. When filled the water will drip from the bottom cut corners.

After watering, lay the bag flat at a comfortable height and pat down forming a flat 'sausage' shape.

Space out your 'T' shaped cuts on one side of the flower bag only.

The 'T' shaped cuts should be facing upside down.

We suggest 8 cuts, two rows of four evenly spaced 'T' cuts on the bag. Using a sharp knife make a 3-cm cut in each leg of the 'T'.

CAREFUL, the plastic is stronger than you think but will cut easily with a sharp blade. A good idea is to mark the cuts with a 'texta' pen (permanent marker type), this will help prevent overcutting.

Some of our bags have less than 8 cuts depending on the expected growth and covering of the plants.

Using a dibber or similar implement, push into each cut to make a planting hole. Remove a seedling from the punnet and push gently into the hole. Pressing the bag gently around the plant will force the potting mix around the seedling. Repeat for all the holes.

* Where do I put the flower bag after planting?

After planting, lay the bags under some shade cloth for 3 to 4 weeks or any semi-shaded spot. The bags should not be moved and the initial soaking of the potting mix will be sufficient for this period. In hot weather a gentle sprinkling of water over the bag and plants may be needed. In cold weather the seedlings may take longer to get going. Some settlement of the potting mix will occur. Just top up and put a plant in the top if desired. Do not be in a hurry to hang it up!

* Where do I hang the flower bag?

Because the bags are easy to move, you can be flexible in their position. While there is a lot of plastic showing, avoid direct sunlight in the hotter times of the day. You will cook the plants! Our bags are hung in part sun/shade and dappled sunlight. Treat fully-grown bags like any hanging basket or pot plant.

* The plants at the bottom of the bag have died?

It can be a result of over-watering or under-watering. Another common cause is hanging the bag up to soon, which compacts the mix at the bottom of the bag restricting root growth. This combined with poor quality potting mix results in failure. If the other plants are growing well, they may hang down and cover the lost plants at the bottom making a good display anyway.

* I have lost 1 or 2 plants but the rest are OK?

We have done this many times. When we transport the bags for display, we tend to damage and break off plants.

Remove the dead plant/s.
Using the dibber, make a new planting hole in the vacant 'T' shape.
Gently push in a new seedling.

You do not need to lay the bag flat as the potting mix is bound by the existing root systems.

* The plants were fine at first but now they are not growing at all?

Although this may simply be a lack of water on the plant, we usually find that it is the use of a poor quality potting mix that contains no plant food. Cheap potting mixes can be used but must be improved with the addition of plant food when filling the flower bag.

The extra cost of good quality potting mix is really minimal when you consider the:

* Cost of the bag,
* A punnet of plants,
* The time you have spent preparing the whole thing.

You are probably looking at an extra cost of only 3 or 4 dollars. It is money well spent, when you enjoy the finished product 3 or 4 months later. If you have used a top quality mix, its nutrients will be used up and leached out in 2 or 3 months. We feed our growing bags weekly with soluble plant food and slow release fertilizers every few months. The results are well worth it!

Happy flower bagging!

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