Plant Pots – Get to Know the Basics

Brian — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:00:09 +0000

While a standard plant pot is commonly utilised to raise and display indoor and outdoor plants, smaller ones are used for seeding and raising young plants. They are usually made of clay or wood, although metal and plastic plant pots are now getting to be a common sight.

When considering a container, remember that most plastic pots have the tendency to crack in cold weather, and are not ideal for growing plants outdoors. Rather, select a pot made of polythene and polypropylene as this will not disintegrate in the cold.

Because of their flexibility, polythene pots can be folded flat for storage without getting damaged. They become free standing once they get filled with garden soil and can be used to pick out seedlings before planting.

Environment-friendly pots that are biodegradable are made from mixing wood fibre or recycled paper, peat and essential nutrients to enhance plant growth. These pots are ideal for plants with sensitive roots that can’t be stirred up as the pot can be set directly into the ground. The pot gradually degrades and allows the plant’s roots to pass through it to base on surrounding soil. Biodegradable pots can be constructed by gardeners from double-thick newspaper formed into cones.

Most plant pots for sale are available in round and square shapes. While the round pots are traditionally used, square pots can take in more compost and can be crammed together to make more space. Make sure to use a pot with sloping sides. This will allow easy removal of the plant and its root system for repotting or ground planting.

Most standard pots have the same width and height although this may vary with other versions. Seed pans, which are used for seed germination, have a depth that’s a third of its diameter. Half pots, used for plants such as the evergreen azaleas which have small root systems, have a depth that’s half its diameter. Long Toms, ideal for plants such as lily-of-the-valley and alpines that require deep root runs, have a depth that’s one-fourth to one-third longer than its diameter.

Plant pot saucers can be utilised to capture excess water after watering plants and can also be used to provide plants water from below. They can be obtained in plastic or clay and can be purchased as a set along with the matching plant pots. After watering, empty the saucers to prevent the potted soil from getting soggy.

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Plant Pots – Get to Know the Basics

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