Thanks for your follow-up post...that's a good point about the basket placement. The baskets will actually hang from the porch beam closest to the north/outside edge of the porch (the gutter is right next to this outside beam). But the edges of the baskets will actually be quite close to the area outside of the porch, rather than deep under the ceiling of the porch. Your points helped me to think about these baskets some more...I think since the baskets will be so close to the edge that I should go with the Calibrachoa, at least in the western basket. The shade plants may just get toasted. For the other two baskets, I think I'll try the white Lobelias since the description for them says sun to partial shade. I have seeds for the Browallia and Asarina...I think I'll grow these in baskets under an awning on another side of the house. That way I could always switch everything around if the Calibrachoa seems like it needs more sun. Thanks again!

MEhearty, "There's no way calibrachoa is more finicky than petunia. No offense, but those eHow articles are usually way off base." Well, I think that Michele just wants to know how to care for her Calibrachoa plant, and it's kind of a side issue which is more finicky. Some petunias are more finicky than others. If you are right that "those eHow articles are usually way off base" then we should look at some other sources of information on the subject. For example, right here in this Annuals forum, there was a discussion titled caring for Calibrachoa. Garden Guides has an article How to Care for Calibrachoa. It also says to make the soil slightly more acidic. Proven Winners, under Growing Tips for Calibrachoa, says "Keeping plants too wet can lead to root rot diseases. Allow the top of the soil to dry before watering again. If your plant is wilting even though the soil is still damp you likely have a root rot problem. Self-cleaning, no deadheading necessary." They also say that they are "Among the easiest plants to grow". There is a lot of information on the Internet available for the Googling. By looking at multiple sources, you can get some idea about which information is "off base". You didn't mention a source, other than yourself, that "those eHow articles are usually way off base." You have aroused my curiosity about that. ZM (not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)

If your hanging basket gets a lot of sun and wind you could be watering twice a day. They hate being soggy and don't like to totally dry out. They don't mind a bit of sun shelter. If they're already doing nicely in their basket - you may need to check whether they've fully colonised the container. If there are more roots than free soil you'll either have to water a lot more often. Or you could move them on to a bigger basket. Or add some fresh mix as a topdressing, but it probably won't be enough to get you through summer. I'd probably feed them MG at the suggested amount every two weeks.

Hi! They are definitely an annual! Mine also get "leggy" after a while. (I'm Zone 7 / Huntsville, Alabama) Last year, I not only "dead-headed" them, but I pinched them back pretty severely. They did MUCH better. I have been watching for them this year - but I haven't seen them yet. It's a little early. They will die with frost, so I think even here in Alabama, the nurseries hold off until the threat of frost is past (around April 15th). Anyway - I love million bells "Terracotta", as well as "Colorburst Melon"! Meadow Lark