thisplace.com.au - Baskets and Pots with Australian Natives

"Pots" is a simple word to embrace the myriad shapes and sizes of containers in which plants may be grown, from a miniature bonsai pot to a large urn or barrel, from hollow logs to drain pipes ! A pot may be an artistic statement or merely a utensil to house a plant until it is ready to be placed in the ground. The pot is one of the oldest known utensils when pottery and metals were first part of human industry. The flower pot is one of the most ancient forms of gardening, having been found in the ruins of ancient Mediterranean cities, and in ancient Biblical references. The variety of plants is as great as the range of containers. Many native plants are suited to container growing.

What are the advantages?

People who live in confined inner city areas of in apartment blocks, with little or no garden area, can enjoy a wide range of native plants. balconies and courtyards can be enlivened by a potted garden. Window boxes, a very old form of gardening, have regained popularity. It is possible to design a total landscape in a small space. Containers can provide a portable garden, ideal for those who are renting a home. When they move they can take their favourite plants with them. The elderly and those with limited mobility can enjoy the beauty and fragrance of a garden and the exercise that comes with caring for it. Containers are also used in larger gardens for their versatility. They can be moved around to take advantage of sun or shade, given a prominent position when flowering, and taken indoors when at their best. They add interest to leisure areas "Difficult" or fussy plants can be kept in pots to provide the most suitable soil and growing conditions.

Special Uses

Special uses of containers include indoor or house plants and the art of BONSAI. Selecting a Container: The container can be any receptacle that holds soil, as long as it has good drainage. The right selection is important from the aesthetic and the practical point of view. Its style and size must be suited to the plant and to its site, blending with the ambience of its surroundings. It should not detract from the plant. There needs to be space for the roots to grow, but the plant must be in proportion. Pots can be terracotta, ceramic, plastic, or wood. Terracotta's earthy colour suits native plants but it is porous. For this reason, mixes such as DEBCO TERRACOTTA AND TUB MIX, or AMGROW SHRUB AND TUB, should be used. Cement pots should be used carefully because of their lime content. Plastic pots can be sued as liners for both cement, and terracotta pots.

Growing Requirements

Containers impose obvious restrictions on the root systems of plants. In the garden, roots are able to exploit a large volume of soil to obtain moisture and nutrients. In containers, there is a limited volume of soil providing nutrients and moisture, and drainage and aeration are reduced compared with the same soil in the garden. Prepared potting mixes available from your Greengold Garden Centre, are the easiest and cheapest source of potting soil. Beware of cheap potting mixes - it is a false economy to buy a good plant, and expect it to grow happily in cheap potting mix. Buy a mix with Australian Standards accreditation, and for porous containers, choose a specialised mix, with high moisture retaining properties. Never Use Earth From the Garden in Pots.

Watering

Incorrect watering causes many losses with container grown plants. Wait until the surface 1 to 2 cm of soil is dry before re-watering. Apply water gently- thoroughly soaking the soil. Do Not Leave Pots Standing In Water. Plants on patios, or in courtyards should be raised to allow water to drain freely and to hinder snails and other pests.

Never Let a Pot Sit in a Saucer of Water ...

This causes the mix in the bottom of the container to turn sour, and ultimately the loss of the plant. Feeding: Plants in containers need more frequent fertilising for moderate but healthy growth. The best time is just after flowering. DO NOT feed if the plant is growing well. There is a wide variety of fertilisers available - Osmocote for natives is a useful slow release fertiliser, and Nitrosol used as directed for natives, is recommended as a liquid fertiliser. Avoid fertilisers high in phosphorous as many natives are sensitive to this. Repotting: If plants lack vigour and do not respond to watering and feeding, repotting is desirable, using fresh potting mix. Carefully trim the roots, and prune the branchlets to compensate for root loss, and to neaten or reshape. Wash the pot thoroughly before re-using. Some general pruning is necessary for container plants. Regular pinch pruning of terminal growth is the easiest and best method. Pruning: Some pruning is necessary for container plants. Regular pinch pruning of terminal growth is the easiest and best method.

Choice of Plants

Consider first the location, whether it is in sun or shade and the effect you wish to create. Choose plants which are long-flowering or group together, either in large containers, or in coordinated smaller ones, varieties which are complementary and will bloom successively over a long period.

One of the most popular genus in their choices is Boronia. Many people say that there is probably nothing more appealing than the display provided by well grown plants in hanging baskets: They add beauty to many situation, both indoors and out, and the flowers and foliage are often better appreciated since they occur at eye level. They can add life to blank walls and fences, pergolas and verandahs, and are ideal for people with little space available for gardening or for pots.

Types of Baskets

The most basic and the commonest is the wireframe lined with paperbark or wool. Yates have introduced the Woolrich liner made from new Australian wool which they claim aids water retention and insulates the roots. Liners have a limited life but by the time they have broken down repotting is usually necessary anyway. Plastic containers with their own saucers can be purchased in a wide range of styles and colours. Some have self-watering systems, A variety of ceramic pots are available but these can prove very heavy and care must be taken in securing them to upright supports. Hooks and pulleys can be used to make baskets more accessible.

Potting Mixes

Some special mixes are available for baskets. These generally include water-retention crystals and some mixes contain a lot of plastic foam to reduce the weight. Vermiculite or perlite also decrease the weight and are better soil conditioners. Give the container a good soaking after planting and allow it to drain before hanging.

Plant Care

Baskets require frequent water checks so that they don't dry out. Nutrients in the soil are leached out by watering more quickly in a hanging container so regular feeding is beneficial. Once or twice a year when plants are in active growth give a light application of a slow-release fertiliser suitable for natives. Periodic repotting is necessary for healthy nutrient levels.

Source: from Greengold website - for more info go to their website