What to Do
Episode: # 13 07/07/07
Presenter: Nigel Ruck
There are a few tricks to growing plants in pots that can make all the difference. The type of pot you use plays an important role and can be as much of a feature as the plant itself. Something else you should know is that potting mix can dry out quickly and porous pots like terracotta, concrete and reconstituted stone speed this up even more due to evaporation.
It is a good idea to seal pots that are made from these materials. You can simply use something like Yates Pot-a-Seal.
Glazed, ceramic, plastic or metal pots tend to hold water really well and size definitely matters. The bigger it is, the slower it will dry out. There is of course nothing wrong with small pots, it is just that they will need watering more often.
The shape is really important too. Narrow necks or urn shaped pots are very appealing to the eye with their curves but can be a little bit tricky when it comes to potting up.
Poor drainage is an absolute killer, if the pot only has one small hole then just be sure to drill out a few more.
Crucial to success is a good quality potting mix so try and by the best one available which will have all the right ingredients. Adding water storage crystals to the potting mix is also a really good idea.
You can grow pretty much any plant in a pot, after all, that is what they are in when you buy them! When you are out at a nursery, just experiment a bit with putting the plant into different pots to see how they look. Always bear in mind the intended position back at home; indoors, outdoors, full sun, shade.
One plant that looks particularly stunning in pots is proteas. They are named after Proteus, the Sea God of Greek Mythology, renowned for his uncanny ability to change form at will. They have incredible flowers on the plant from autumn to spring which look fantastic in floral arrangements. They like full sun with plenty of air circulation and during winter be sure to keep them on the dry side with the occasional watering.
Right now they are available at Eden Gardens as their special plant of the month.
www.edengardens.com.au
Eden Gardens
Cnr Lane Cove and Fontenoy Road
North Ryde, NSW, 2113
Featured Products
Yates Pot a Seal
Waterwise Water Storage Crystals
Presenter: Nigel Ruck
There are a few tricks to growing plants in pots that can make all the difference. The type of pot you use plays an important role and can be as much of a feature as the plant itself. Something else you should know is that potting mix can dry out quickly and porous pots like terracotta, concrete and reconstituted stone speed this up even more due to evaporation.
It is a good idea to seal pots that are made from these materials. You can simply use something like Yates Pot-a-Seal.
Glazed, ceramic, plastic or metal pots tend to hold water really well and size definitely matters. The bigger it is, the slower it will dry out. There is of course nothing wrong with small pots, it is just that they will need watering more often.
The shape is really important too. Narrow necks or urn shaped pots are very appealing to the eye with their curves but can be a little bit tricky when it comes to potting up.
Poor drainage is an absolute killer, if the pot only has one small hole then just be sure to drill out a few more.
Crucial to success is a good quality potting mix so try and by the best one available which will have all the right ingredients. Adding water storage crystals to the potting mix is also a really good idea.
You can grow pretty much any plant in a pot, after all, that is what they are in when you buy them! When you are out at a nursery, just experiment a bit with putting the plant into different pots to see how they look. Always bear in mind the intended position back at home; indoors, outdoors, full sun, shade.
One plant that looks particularly stunning in pots is proteas. They are named after Proteus, the Sea God of Greek Mythology, renowned for his uncanny ability to change form at will. They have incredible flowers on the plant from autumn to spring which look fantastic in floral arrangements. They like full sun with plenty of air circulation and during winter be sure to keep them on the dry side with the occasional watering.
Right now they are available at Eden Gardens as their special plant of the month.
www.edengardens.com.au
Eden Gardens
Cnr Lane Cove and Fontenoy Road
North Ryde, NSW, 2113
Featured Products
Yates Pot a Seal
- For sealing terracotta pots to reduce water loss and improve plant health and survival.
- Convenient, ready to use aerosol.
- Bentonite's super fine particles form a clear barrier that significantly reduces the loss of water from terracotta and concrete pots.
- If desired can be painted over with oil based paints.
Waterwise Water Storage Crystals
- When added to potting mix or garden soil, the crystals absorb up to 500 times their own weight in water.
- The water is released over a period of time as the plants require it.
- Reduce water usage and increase the times between watering.
- Effective for up to five years and biodegrade harmlessly.
- Prevents the soil from drying out, improves soil aeration and drainage.
- Potassium based.
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