Plant pots and boxes that hold soil and growing plants.
21
votes
4answers
302 views
Is it wise to reuse potting soil?
The potting soil in question is in medium to large sized pots that had/have tomatoes or small fruit trees in them.
19
votes
4answers
743 views
Any benefit to watering whole plant (leaves and all) instead of just the soil/roots?
A question I often wonder about when watering outdoor pots in the dead heat of summer. Should I just make sure the soil in the bed/pot is watered sufficiently, or is it necessary/advisable to also ...
18
votes
3answers
520 views
How do I grow root vegetables in pots/grow-bags?
We have a flat (apartment) with no garden, but would love to grow root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots. Is it possible to grow these in a pot, container or grow-bag, or do they need too much ...
15
votes
4answers
2k views
Is it OK to grow plants in clear (transparent) pots?
I was using old clear (transparent) plastic meat packaging to grow plants in. Is that a good idea? Are there any side effects of roots possibly being exposed to the sun?
15
votes
2answers
175 views
What is a proper container to preserve seeds?
I received seeds from various produces as a gift. They are in sealed paper bags, but they occupy a lot of space and I was thinking about opening the bags and putting the seeds into small transparent ...
14
votes
1answer
362 views
How do I help my kitchen window herb garden thrive?
For the last couple of years, I've been nursing along a sort of kitchen window herb garden consisting of cilantro, parsley, basil and chives. What I've done is bought live herb plants at our local ...
12
votes
4answers
558 views
What are some sustainable alternatives to peat for potting compost?
I've just finished writing the tag wiki for organic and was thinking about wider issues of sustainability. Perhaps the best area where I could improve things personally, would be to use an alternative ...
12
votes
2answers
546 views
What are good shade-loving consumable plants for a high-rise windowsill?
At our office, we have a wonderful recreation area that gets a few hours of morning sun. The rest of the day the space is engulfed in generic flourescent light. I'm curious which herbs, vegetables ...
11
votes
5answers
216 views
What are some fast-growing, voluminous vines that are suitable to be grown in containers?
I have a large terrace in New York City, and am looking to fill it with some greenery without spending a fortune. In the past I have had good luck with morning glories in containers - they grow ...
11
votes
2answers
640 views
Seedlings: do peat pots slow down their development?
To prevent root disturbance when planting out, I usually sow my sweet corn in peat pots which I then put in the propagator. As soon as the seed germinates, I grow the seedlings on for two to three ...
11
votes
1answer
307 views
Do I need to correct the pH of my newly re-potted citrus tree?
I tried my hand at making my own soil for my citrus tree re potting. See below for the long story reasoning. I mixed EKO store bought (I live in an apartment) organic compost with coco coir and ...
10
votes
1answer
223 views
Is there a rule of thumb for caring for potted plants in office?
I've recently been made responsible for watering and taking care of many small potted plants around our office, and I have little to no gardening experience. There are many different types of plants, ...
10
votes
2answers
577 views
Will it kill my potted tree if I use tree fertilizer spikes?
I recently bought some tree fertilizer spikes to feed my potted dwarf kumquat and lime trees. After I got them home, I read the following warning on the side of the box:
NOTE: Never apply within 30" ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
What are some quick growing, flowering, climbing/vine plants that can be grown from a container garden (USDA zone 6)? What is a good time to start?
My main gardening space is a paved area in front of my house surrounded by a white picket fence. I planted a few vegetable and herb seeds in containers there this summer, and from seeing the ...
10
votes
1answer
486 views
How do I grow sweet potatoes in a pot?
I planted some attractive sweet potato vines in a 6 inch deep pot -- about 1.5 ft in diameter. I didn't expect them to grow extensively. However, with watering regularly, they certainly are growing ...
10
votes
1answer
218 views
Will a galvanized container leach Zinc and “Trim” the roots? Are there other effects?
I have heard that a galvanized container such as this one for a raised bed will leach zinc and "trim" the roots. What do they mean by this?
Would the increased zinc be bad for raising food plants? I ...
9
votes
4answers
932 views
What is the best way to support a stake in a potted tomato plant?
I currently have a tomato plant planted in a pot on my porch. It is doing quite nicely and is tied to a 6' bamboo cane. Unfortunately my cane has started to lean a bit and I am afraid that as the ...
9
votes
2answers
484 views
Advice on repotting an overgrown and delicate plant
I've got several plants that are probably overdue to be repotted. One of them is a cactus with lots of new growth and sharp spines. And the other is a jade where many more of the cuttings survived ...
9
votes
2answers
769 views
What size plant pot should I be using for young chili plants
I have 4 small chili plants (sorry not sure what variety they are), they have 3 sets of leaves. I re-potted them from a seed tray about 2 weeks ago. I'm a bit concerned the plant pot is too big? When ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
Can I move a self-seeded oak tree into a pot to keep it small?
An oak has self seeded in our garden. Has got to about a metre tall and seems happy. We don't have anywhere near enough space for an oak but seems a shame to kill it. Can we move it to a pot to keep ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
How can I safely transplant blueberry bushes planted in the spring before the winter hits?
If all goes according to plan, I will be moving this winter to another location. I currently have two blueberry bushes I planted last spring, purchased from Gurney's. I'm wondering what the ...
9
votes
1answer
138 views
Do I need to buy a specialty bark medium to repot my orchid?
As a result of a previous question, I've decided to repot my Phalaenopsis orchid in bark once the blooms fall off. I understand that tree bark makes a better medium than the moss it's currently ...
8
votes
3answers
829 views
Placing eggshells on top of potted plants?
In general, is there any benefit (growth, soil quality, etc) if I place eggshells on top of my potted plants?
My mother often does it to provide it organic material. She's not much of a scientist. I ...
8
votes
2answers
126 views
How are peppers and mulch used in a desert environment?
I have a couple of pepper plants that I've recently procured. Since I do not want these to go the way every other plant that has been gifted to me (i.e. death), I transplanted them into some large ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
Why does my cilantro have thin leaves? Why is my parsley not growing? When will they be ready for harvest?
My cilantro (planted outside, full sun from about 11am to 6pm) doesn't have the broad leaves that I see when I buy it in the store. I planted it in May. When should I expect it ready for harvesting?
...
8
votes
3answers
177 views
Is it safe to change the entire soil surrounding the roots?
Usually when you buy plants from the store, the soil type might not be suitable to them. Is it safe to change the soil completely? I mean to remove all the soil around most of the roots, then put it ...
8
votes
1answer
128 views
What are good plants to use in a container-based winter garden?
I live in an apartment that has a small outdoor patio and I'm looking to create a little container garden this autumn/winter. I'm located in the US (hardiness zone is 7) and I'm looking for ideas ...
8
votes
1answer
407 views
Why do my tomato leaves look powdery?
I have a threesome of tomato plants planted in on my porch. All three have some leaves that seem to be a bit white and powdery. One of the leaves has even started to turn a bit brown.
I don't think ...
7
votes
1answer
350 views
When should I transfer from pod to pot or ground?
Since the pre-sprouted plant season is in full bloom, what is a good indicator of the time to transfer a pre-sprouted plant? For instance I have a mexi-bell pepper in a plastic pod and two basil ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Has anybody had any success using 5 gallon buckets as planters?
I've recently became interested in starting some outdoor planters this coming spring. After searching around, I found an interesting idea off of Popular Mechanics using 5 gallon drywall buckets as ...
7
votes
1answer
150 views
How is compost made in the kitchen?
I just made this small compost container but I'm not certain how to use it. Should I just put the scraps in there and "let it do its thing" or are there other steps needed?
7
votes
1answer
187 views
What could be causing rot to appear on the skin of my bell peppers?
I have a set of four bell pepper plants that I am growing in 12" containers in my backyard. They've been growing alright until the fruits on the plants have started to develop what appears to be a rot ...
7
votes
1answer
102 views
What problems can come from a tree with its graft union 5 inches above the soil line?
I planted a grafted apple tree in a pot and shortly thereafter realized the graft union is about 5-6 inches above the soil line. My gardening books and online searches recommend the union be no more ...
7
votes
1answer
216 views
Will african violet fertilizer diffuse through clay pots?
I have several african violets in special clay pots. The pots kind of resemble a double boiler, and the lower pot is filled with water, then the upper section, containing the plant, is unglazed on its ...
7
votes
1answer
373 views
How do I make a wooden container fit for growing stuff in it?
I have bought a number of used wooden containers that I would like to grow Thuja trees and various vegetables in:
they are about 1 foot wide, 2 feet long, and 1 foot tall.
Being an amateur in ...
7
votes
1answer
122 views
How do you transition a guava from a yard in Florida to a pot in Boston?
My father, who lives in Florida, recently gave me a guava that was growing in his back yard. He potted it with soil from the ground and tossed in into the back of my van to bring home to Boston. ...
6
votes
3answers
146 views
How do I protect the roots and adjust watering levels in a non-draining indoor pot?
The long, winding backstory: We have a rubber tree which has been in the same pot for ages. It has been moved twice, and in our new home we're still trying to find it a spot it likes. Recently, ...
6
votes
1answer
3k views
How to replant bamboo/water based plants
I have had a bamboo for several years in this tiny glass pot. It has grown very much, but its time to move her to a bigger home. But how? the pot she was brought home in was large at the bottom and ...
6
votes
1answer
347 views
Source for cheap large plastic tubs?
I'm looking into setting up an aquaponics system, which requires me to acquire a large tub (on the order of 250L, relatively flat) to use as a grow bed for the veggies. Does anyone know where I could ...
6
votes
1answer
673 views
What is a recipe for a long-lasting, fast draining container soil mix with good aeration
I'm interested in making my own container soil for some potted citrus and figs as well as something that'll work for other house plants. I've heard of Al's Gritty Mix. Does anyone have a mix that's ...
6
votes
1answer
80 views
What products can I use to hang herbs under a fluorescent light?
I have a window-like opening between my kitchen sink and the adjacent room. On the ceiling of the opening is a fluorescent light, and ideally I'd like to set up a long rectangular hanging basket ...
5
votes
1answer
312 views
Is it possible to grow an indoor tea plant?
It is at all possible to grow tea plants, particularly something like Camellia sinensis, not herbal teas, indoors with special lighting? Specifically, I'm not taking about starting tea seedlings and ...
5
votes
1answer
189 views
How can I pack my potted plants for moving (across the US)?
I'm faced with moving across the US soon.
As my climate zone will be changing, some of my outdoor potted plants will have to become indoor plants. However, I would like to take as many as possible ...
5
votes
1answer
415 views
What are the best soil amendments for container grown blueberries?
What are the best soil amendments for blueberries grown in containers? What's the best mulch? Last year I used chopped leaves from a friend's landscaping job that is no longer around. I also ...
5
votes
1answer
722 views
Can you grow raspberries in a pot/growbag?
Unfortunately we don't have a proper garden, but we do have an area that we can use for pots and/or grow bags. We've been offered some raspberry canes by a friend - but will they grow ok in pots or ...
4
votes
1answer
437 views
Buying cheap self-watering containers
I've made my own self-watering containers. Fun, but a bit time-consuming.
Most self-watering containers that are for sale are a bit pricey for me... I'd really want at least a half a dozen, and at ...
4
votes
1answer
71 views
Why don't my Roma tomatoes reach full size?
I know it's only spring time, but I have lots of little blossoms on my container tomato plants. All are ready to bloom into tomatoes. They often do not reach full size. In fact, I just pulled off ...
4
votes
2answers
189 views
What kinds of miniature fruit shrubs/trees can be grown in a reasonably sized container?
I once saw advertised in a catalog a miniature blueberry bush, that could spend its whole life in a container and grow to maturity. Are there any other fruit plants that can exist their whole life in ...
4
votes
1answer
130 views
Why are my Freesias sprouting in the fall?
I bought some Freesias in the spring last year and planted them in a wooden planter. All spring and summer, I didn't see any signs of life, even though they got watered regularly. Then in the fall of ...
4
votes
1answer
85 views
Low maintenance evergreen shade-tolerant container climbers for UK
I'm new to gardening and looking for a some climbers to put in my North facing lightwell. It is very sheltered and gets a little bit of sun in the summer evenings. I have bought two very large ...
