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Post by Jonah on Feb 19, 2007 13:14:49 GMT
Hello.  I am starting to use pots around the beds to add a bit of interest. Can anyone give me any advice as to a good general mix to put in them? They are reasonably small, I will be planting things like Iris, Hymenocallis, Acidenthera, Nerine and Gladioli for now to be placed among the plants in a sunny border. I have a few bare root plants that I potted up over winter, but one thing I have noticed is the soil and compost has stayed very wet, even with lumps of flint in the bottom. I have swell gel and grit to use as well, but I don't know what I should be using and in what sort of quantities.  Thank you if you can help. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2007 15:04:08 GMT
Hi jonah - I would recommend using a soil based compost for permanent planting every time - peat based composts stay too wet through the winter, which will probably lead to the roots/bulbs being damaged by frost .  I don't use swell gel, but IMO it should only be used for potted annuals. |
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Post by Spruance on Feb 19, 2007 15:32:40 GMT
It might seem obvious Jonah, but have you made holes in the bottom of the pots?
As Rita says, a soil based compost is the best bet, especially if the plants are going to be in the containers for any length of time.
Instead of flints, you could try putting inverted plant pots in the bottom of the containers. This serves a dual purpose, in that you don't need quite so much compost to fill the container, but also the plants roots aren't sitting in water.
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 19, 2007 21:37:57 GMT
What a good idea to put an inverted pot in the bottom I usually mix GP compo with garden soil and if I'm planting bulbs I put a 1-2" layer of gritty material to nestle the bulbs into. I've lost too many bulbs buy not doing this. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2007 21:45:37 GMT
What's GP compo Chuckles?  I don't use garden soil, as I don't want to add any nasty bugs or beasties to my pots. |
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 19, 2007 22:37:22 GMT
What's GP compo Chuckles? I don't use garden soil, as I don't want to add any nasty bugs or beasties to my pots. General Purpose  I don't have any nasty bugs or beasties in my garden soil ;D ;D |
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Post by Jonah on Feb 19, 2007 23:56:17 GMT
So I'm best getting a mix at the GC, rather than mixing my own. Thanks everyone. I take it that would be the bags with 'for containers' on the packet [I'm only used to buying the cheapy general purpose]. I'll try the inverted pot idea as well, thanks Spruance. It wouldn't encourage the beasties to sleep in the bottom, would it?
But the pots have got holes in, some are just large plant pots, and one is a plastic planter, but then again I don't remember checking if the 'holes' were actually pierced through ok - good point.
Can't believe I actually knew what GP was - I must be learning! If I can master pots, next step - hanging baskets! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2007 0:22:08 GMT
John Innes No3 would be the medium.
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 20, 2007 0:24:06 GMT
 ...........................  sorry, couldn't resist! |
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Post by Spruance on Feb 20, 2007 0:25:55 GMT
Usually the planters you buy from the GC have places to make holes in - i.e. thinner plastic - but you actually have to make the holes yourself. I suppose it gives you the option to use the containers indoors - without holes. What a tried this year with my tomatoes in containers was to put a couple of sheets of newspaper in the very bottom of the containers as this lets the water out whilst preventing nasties from coming up through the holes. You really need a John Innes No.3 mixture. I use Westland John Innes simply because that is what they have at my local GC, but there are other brands on offer. You may get away with mixing in some multi-purpose compost as well. |
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Post by Jonah on Feb 20, 2007 0:35:53 GMT
Thanks gents,No.3 it is. ;D susie, do you get those from smiley central? |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 20, 2007 0:42:11 GMT
Thanks gents,No.3 it is. ;D susie, do you get those from smiley central? To be honest Jonah, I thought my secrets were safe but, all of a sudden, oodles of people are pinching smilies from my photobucket account . Feel free to download any you would like to use ;D S xx |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2007 0:53:38 GMT
John Innes No3 would be the medium. Though Doris Stokes would make a better one  |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 20, 2007 0:56:45 GMT
That could explain all the white stringy stuff in Skarloey's allotment.................Doris' wig  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2007 7:52:14 GMT
What's GP compo Chuckles? I don't use garden soil, as I don't want to add any nasty bugs or beasties to my pots. General Purpose I don't have any nasty bugs or beasties in my garden soil ;D ;D  of course it is - I was having a CRAFT/Senior moment  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2007 8:00:24 GMT
It wouldn't encourage the beasties to sleep in the bottom, would it? I found slugs living in the bottom of my pots when I used broken crock in my patio containers! I don't use anything now. |
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Post by Spruance on Feb 20, 2007 12:09:12 GMT
One curious thing that I have noticed about plants grown in containers is that if there are any earwigs in the container, there will almost certainly not be any vine weevil grubs. I presume that vine weevil eggs are on the earwig menu. |
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I don't have any nasty bugs or beasties in my garden soil ;D ;D
