what is the best way to line concrete pots with large holes in the base

"tonyk1" wrote in message
...

what is the best way to line concrete pots with large holes in the base
tonyk1

Line ?
Why do you ask?
Jenny

Chunks of polystyrene from the computer/TV/DVD etc packaging broken down to
sizes which cover the holes to allow drainage, but not to allow the compost
to fall out :-))

Mike

--
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Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association
www.rnshipmates.co.uk
International Festival of the Sea 28th June - 1st July 2007


"tonyk1" wrote in message
...

what is the best way to line concrete pots with large holes in the base


--
tonyk1

because i have used ceramic pots before with large drain holes and put gravel in the bottom but the water seemed to go straight through

"tonyk1" wrote in message
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JennyC Wrote:
"tonyk1" wrote in message
...

what is the best way to line concrete pots with large holes in the
base
tonyk1

Line ?
Why do you ask?
Jenny

because i have used ceramic pots before with large drain holes and put
gravel in the bottom but the water seemed to go straight through
tonyk1

The trick is to keep the compost moist and not let it dry out so much that
its shrinks away from the side of the pot. I've had this problem myself.
Sometimes very large plants tend to contract away from the sides of the pot.
Last year I stuffed some torn up newspaper down the crevices so that the
water did not run straight though - worked a treat :~)

Blocking the drainage holes might result in waterlogging.

Jenny

Jenny

tonyk1 writes

JennyC Wrote:
"tonyk1" wrote in message
...

what is the best way to line concrete pots with large holes in the
base
tonyk1

Line ?
Why do you ask?
Jenny

because i have used ceramic pots before with large drain holes and put
gravel in the bottom but the water seemed to go straight through


Find a plastic tray which will fit in the base and put that in. Keeps a
damp layer about 1 inch deep in the bottom which seems to be enough to
stop water going straight through.

--
Kay

"tonyk1" wrote in message
...

JennyC Wrote:
"tonyk1" wrote in message
...

what is the best way to line concrete pots with large holes in the
base
tonyk1

Line ?
Why do you ask?
Jenny

because i have used ceramic pots before with large drain holes and put
gravel in the bottom but the water seemed to go straight through


--
tonyk1


If it's a peat based compost the trick is to water the plant slowly.
Not all at once. I've often used peat based composts in large pots
and this not only resists water but shrinks away from the sides
of the pots. Which isn't all bad as it allows the roots some air.
It's also a good indicator that the plant does actually need
watering - in plants which may otherwise be being watered too often.
Details of watering requirements for most species can be found on
Google

If you try to water it all in one session, the water will simply
run off the top and down the sides, because dry peat - and many other
potting mediums* for that matter, shrink when dry, and are resistant
to water. So just wet the top first, and wait until that water has
sunk in. Which might take half an hour. And then basically keep repeating
the process at half hourly intervals. Don't flood the surface just give
it enough to soak in each time. Eventually water will run out of the
bottom, and you'll know the job's done.

Basically you need to be doing other things in the meantime, because
many potting mediums take their time in absorbing water whatever you
do. And the larger the volume of the pot, the longer they take.

With lighter pots in Summer, its easier to simply dunk them in water and
wait until the compost on the surface is wet. And then take them
out and drain them.


michael adams

* potting media ? Er yes well....

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