•
Potting Mixes: Soil is, surprisingly, not a big ingredient
in potting mixes. Garden soil can be full of pests and diseases
and is easily compacted therefore making it a poor choice for
container gardening. Light and permeable mixes are the foundation
of every successful container garden. A perfect mixture will
drain easily, maintain airflow, and retain moisture. Following
are the steps for making different kinds of potting mixes.
• Basic
Mix:
1. Blend equal parts of peat moss, compost, and perlite (a white
volcanic material that retains water and nutrients which will
prevent the mix from becoming too compressed)
2. Add just
enough water to moisten the soil and mix together until all
the ingredients are well blended.
3. One tablespoon
of granular limestone should be added to each gallon of the
soil mixture.
Dry Climate
Plants: Combine one part basic mix, one part compost, and
two parts sand. Follow steps two and three from Basic mix.
Acid-Loving
Plants: Merge equal parts basic mix, peat moss and shredded
bark. Follow steps two and three from Basic mix.
Shade-Loving
Plants: Mix two parts basic mix, one part vermiculite, and
one part peat moss. Follow steps two and three from Basic mix.
•
Preparing Plants for Potting: The same rules apply for potting
regardless of the type of plant you’re working with. The
roots of the plants are the most important thing to take into
consideration when potting a plant. It is important for the
roots to extend freely in all directions; if they are too compacted
it may be necessary to cut the roots allowing them to spread
out in their new pots. Spring and early summer are the best
times to plant and repot. Here
are four easy steps to prepare your plants for potting:
1. Turn
over the nursery or current container and support the roots
while removing the plant. Do not pull the plant out by the stem,
this can easily cause breakage.
2. If the
plant is difficult to remove from its current container either
tap the border against a hard surface or cautiously cut away
the urn.
3. Using
your hands, pull the roots to loosen them. Cut off any excess
long or spiraled roots.
4. Make
one inch cuts on all four sides of the ball of roots to loosen
tightly packed roots.
•
Planting: Leave at least an inch of dirt separating your
plants from the edge of the pot so the roots have plenty of
room to expand. Having too much soil will result in an excess
of water retention causing the roots to rot. When you are combining
different sized plants, first add the plant with the largest
root system. Water the plant to allow it to settle into the
container before adding the remaining plants. Here
are four easy planting steps:
1. Fill
your container with a moist potting mix. Poke small holes in
the soil allowing it to settle before adding the plants.
2. Position
the plant so it settles as the same level as it was in the nursery
or previous container.
3. Arrange
plants close together and carefully pack the dirt around the
roots to avoid any air pockets.
4. Leave
a minimum of a one-inch space below the edge of the pot for
watering in small pots and at least two inches in larger pots.
•
Repotting: Plants may need to be repotted as often as once
a year depending on root growth. Roots filling the entire pot
or growing above the soil are a good indication it is time to
repot. Even if a plant does not need to be repotted it can benefit
from a yearly top dressing. Remove the top two inches of soil
and replace it with fresh soil being careful not to disturb
the roots. Here
are four easy steps for repotting:
1. Repot
plants every one to two years.
2. The new
container should be, at the most, two inches wider than the
previous pot.
3. Trim
one to two inches off the roots before replanting. Make sure
to clean any sodium residue off of the new pot before planting.
4. Set the
plant on a new layer of soil and fill in the gaps with the old
soil.
•
Watering and Fertilizing: Weather is the main deterrent
in how much water your plants will need. If it is cool and moist
outside you will not have to water as often as when it is windy
or extremely warm. In some conditions it may be necessary to
water at two times a day. Early in the morning is the best time
to water plants. If you water too late in the afternoon the
soil may not properly dry out leaving the roots sitting in water
overnight. It is best to put the water directly onto the soil
not over the foliage. The size and type of container and the
variety of potting mix will also determine how often you need
to water. Small pots will dry out faster than large ones and
unglazed clay pots lose water more quickly than glazed pots
and those made of nonporous materials. Additionally plants need
frequent fertilizing to maintain rapid and healthy growth. Here
are six important steps to keep in mind when watering and fertilizing
your potted plants:
1. Stick
your finger in the top two inches of the soil to test for enough
water. When the soil feels dry, it is time to add more water.
2. Use an
aluminum wand when watering with a hose. Gently rinse the foliage
to increase the humidity.
3. When
applying fertilizer, sprinkle it evenly over the soil and well
away from the stems of the plants. Be especially careful not
to let fertilizer get stuck in the foliage.
4. Automated
watering systems are a good way to go when you can not be there
every day to water your plants.
5. Water
and fertilizer can discolor and corrode the surfaces underneath
your pots, so it is important to have a barrier, such as a saucer
for smaller pots, between your pot and the surface it is sitting
on.
6. Many
plants like moist roots and dry leaves. To bottom water, set
pots in a shallow tub of lukewarm water for 30 to 60 minutes;
drain well.
Gardenzilla,
a Bainbridge Island, Washington based company, is an on-line
source (www.gardenzilla.com)
for sizeable urns, planters, sculpture, fountains and art for
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for container gardening or for creating unique interior urns
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At Gardenzilla,
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a professional landscaper, an interior designer, an architect
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and giving personal attention to each and every customer.
Based on
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on-line at www.gardenzilla.com.
An on-line catalog, a collection of indoor and outdoor urns,
and all designs, sizes, colors and finishes can be viewed on
the web site.
Gardenzilla
provides exceptional customer service and it is important our
customers are completely satisfied with their orders. For questions
about products or purchases, call toll free 1 (877) 977-8774
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time or
go to "contact us" on the Gardenzilla web site.
