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Garden Plant Pots
Whether it be potting up new plants or caring for to established pots, all the effort put in now will pay dividends once summer comes. Here are some tips to help ensure you that will have healthy, blooming containers.
When planting up a new pot choose a container that's comfortably big enough to hold the plants roots comfortably, and has ample space. Next, add a layer of broken crocks, gravel or polystyrene pieces (which are especially good for large containers as they don't add to the weight) to provide a good drainage area. Now add a growing medium. Garden soil is unsuitable, a proprietary potting compost should be used, for example, Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost, which is great at retaining moisture and also contains a slow release plant food that will act for six months. Note that if you're planting an acid loving plant like an azalea, you'll need an ericaceous medium like Miracle-Gro camellia, azalea and rhododendron Compost.
If you're using regular compost, it's a good idea to mix in a water retaining gel such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Gel. Not only will a pot bound plant require much more water than if grown directly in the soil, but it will also be more susceptible to drying out. The gel will therefore provide an extra layer of protection against water loss. Next, dig a hole and put in the plant. To finish off, add a mulch. Anything that will cut down evaporation will do, from bark chips, to brightly coloured glass gravel. Be brave, be creative, there really is a wealth of choice.
Repotting and potting on can assist plants that have become pot bound. That is, their roots become densely packed in the pot, meaning that little moisture is withheld, and nutrients in the compost will be seriously dimished. If this isn't sorted out quickly, the plants leaves will turn yellow, it will become sickly and eventually die. The first thing to decide is whether to move the plant to a larger pot (potting on) or, repot back into the same container. This is really a personal choice, but where containers are concerned, bigger is always better.
If potting on, then first remove the plant from it's current pot and tease out compacted roots. Next take the old container, place it in the new one and fill the gap with potting compost. Remove the old container, and place the plant in the space remaining. Press down the compost, adding more if need be. When done add some mulch.
If repotting firstly remove the plant from the pot and carefully remove old layers of compost and tease out roots. Next add compost to the base and put the plant back in the container, topping up with more compost as needed. Again add some mulch to finish off.
Topdressing and feeding is always something to consider. Even established pots that don't need any drastic action will still need food. Top dressing is just the replacement of the top 2.5-5cm of old compost with fresh compost at the beginning of the growing season. Having topdressed, it's important to establish a good feeding regime. Use a slow release feeds such as Miracle-Gro Controlled Release Plant Food which will work over 6 months, also feed every two weeks or so as you wate using Miracle-Gro All Purpose Soluble Plant Food.
Useful advice like which weed killer to use or how to care for growing specimens will always help the novice gardener. This guide on potting plants and looking after them can be used all year round.
Article submitted Sunday, January 10, 2010 & read 73 times.
Mark Bartley is a well respected writer on consumer affairs and a customer champion. He has experience in several industries including travel, finance, retail and leisure. He seeks to provide useful information from an unbiased viewpoint and helps people understand complicated market areas and find the best deals or services available.
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