I am not a fan of container plants. I always imagine a little snake crawling out of it as I recline, overcome by sleep on a sofa at night. If this is your disposition, stick to outdoor gardening. But do not let my phobias deter you from this pleasurable art.
If you are renting and need to move to new residences with your plants, this is the way to go. There is also no weeding or stooping. Container plants also suffer less from pests and diseases.
Their importance
They can also be moved around the home freely. If a plant is doing badly in one location from poor sunlight, it can be moved to a better lit area. And if another is withering from too much sunshine, it can be moved to a more shaded area.
It is also easier to distribute sunlight to a container plant by turning it frequently, so that all sides of the plant can receive enough sunlight.
It is possible to mix and match container plants as often as possible in new arrangements for display. For instance, if you want to mix a few white hibiscus flowers with some red roses and sunflower, all in varying height sizes for a verandah display, this can be possible.
Size matters
The containers should be the right size for the plants. Slow growing plants like cactus can be grown in containers that are the same volume as the plant. Faster growing plants, especially vegetables, should be grown in larger pots to accommodate root growth.
Many large containers or many smaller ones can put pressure on a verandah or a rooftop, especially after heavy rain if the spot is away from supporting posts. A friend has a potted tree on her rooftop, but it is on top of the middle house support.
Dark coloured containers sear plant roots on hot days, so opt for light colours. Metal containers also conduct a lot of heat and can be corroded by fertiliser salts.
The location
Do not place containers too low where they can become insignificant against a busy or conflicting background. Vary the levels by placing them on different levels like on benches and stairs.
Hanging baskets should be at chest level, so that people can see them. Or they should be more than six feet high so that people do not bump into them. Plants at waist level and below should be away from paths and areas where children can interfere with them.
Containers must be well drained. Most have some holes at the bottom for this purpose. For converted ones, you need to drill your own into them.
Choosing soil
Put some pebbles (smooth stones) at the bottom, so that roots do not clog the holes. Use soil less potted mixes instead of soil. These are lighter, absorb more water and drain better. Buy the mixes if you can afford them.
Less expensive mixes are made of compost material, peat moss and perlite, a gritty white material that hejavascript:void(0)lps in fast drainage. Use mixes for containers larger than six or eight inches in diametre.
Start using a water soluble fertiliser about three weeks after potting, during watering. Plants in porous terracotta containers may need watering two or three times more than those in plastic containers. Do not let the soil get too dry or too wet.
Buy property in Kampala Uganda | African tour and travel profile
No comments:
Post a Comment