Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

What two plant care practices need to occur more frequently with hanging baskets than with larger containers on the ground?

1. Pruning and deadheading

2. Soil testing and disbudding

3. Watering and sanitizing

4. Watering and fertilizing

The correct answer is: Watering and fertilizing

Hanging baskets, due to their elevated position and smaller volume of soil compared to larger containers on the ground, require more frequent watering and fertilizing. The soil in hanging baskets tends to dry out more quickly because it is exposed to air on all sides and experiences more rapid evaporation, particularly in sunny or windy conditions. As a result, regular monitoring and quicker attention to watering is essential to ensure plants remain hydrated and healthy. Fertilizing is also crucial in hanging baskets because the limited soil volume can lead to nutrient depletion more rapidly than in larger containers. Since hanging baskets often support a diverse range of plants that may deplete nutrients at different rates, regular fertilization ensures that plants receive adequate nutrition to thrive, promoting vigorous growth and flowering. The other practices listed, such as pruning and deadheading or soil testing and disbudding, although important in the overall care of plants, are not as critical to the immediate survival and health of hanging baskets as watering and fertilizing. These other practices can generally be performed less frequently and may not be as directly affected by the unique challenges posed by the hanging basket environment.