What Do You Need to Know about Containers

by Doug
(Somewhere out in Lake Ontario)

NOTE TO VISITORS - THIS SECTION IS COMPLETE AND THE SEMINAR SERIES HAS MOVED ONTO OTHER TOPIC AREAS. I'M NO LONGER TAKING QUESTIONS HERE - SORRY.

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What Do You Need to Know about Containers

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edible flowers
by: Brenda

Is container potting best for edible flowers? What do you suggest

indoor containers
by: Brenda

I would like to know why most of my indoor containers are going moldy, inside and out?

max characters
by: Sharon

Doug, could we please get a counter so we know how many characters we have used up????

#2 problems with heat and sun
by: Sharon

Vegetables in pots... if you give them more fertilizer can you have them closer together in pots than the recommendation on the seed pack? I wish I knew how deep the various vegetables' roots go so I would know how large the pot has to be.

I put pea gravel in the bottom of the pots (1) to keep the soil in (2) to help drainage (3) to keep them from blowing over (it's often windy here). But I read that you think we shouldn't put any such thing in the bottom of the pot... what to do?

It seems to me that glazed ceramic pots do get too hot in the sun, also dark color pots don't seem to do as well. Your thoughts on this? I've never heard of that container stuff with the weird name that a couple of people mentioned. What is that? Where can I find out about it?

I enjoy each flower plant for itself. I enjoy discovering each one's personality... so I don't put a lot of different plants together in a pot, with the exception of some hanging pots that I have with a mix of small plants. It has been a problem to put smaller plants around the base of a large plant (like a Rose of Sharon tree)... the tree needs a lot of water, but that floods the smaller plants... since I have to water every evening, I don't feel like taking a lot of time watering slowly to protect the little plants... I wonder what smaller thing I could put in that large pot with the tree that wouldn't mind going swimming when I water the tree??? Mini glads didn't like all that watering...

What is "artificial" soil"? I thought I should get rich soil for potted plants???? But it does firm up after a while...

(By the way, I can answer the question about acidanthera, it DOES do very well in containers and you can start them early indoors... this is from my gardening experience in cold climate. I also have them in container in Phx and they shot up like magic within a week of planting.) This is my favorite scent... to die for. But the mixture of honeysuckle and jasmine early in the morning takes you right to heaven... I love my garden...

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Submitted by: Sharon

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Comment
Vegetables in pots... if you give them more fertilizer can you have them closer together in pots than the recommendation on the seed pack? I wish I knew how deep the various vegetables' roots go so I would know how large the pot has to be. I put pea gravel in the bottom of the pots (1) to keep the soil in (2) to help drainage (3) to keep them from blowing over (it's often windy here). But I read that you think we shouldn't put any such thing in the bottom of the pot... what to do? It seems to me that glazed ceramic pots do get too hot in the sun, also dark color pots don't seem to do as well. Your thoughts on this? I've never heard of that container stuff with the weird name that a couple of people mentioned. What is that? Where can I find out about it? I enjoy each flower plant for itself. I enjoy discovering each one's personality... so I don't put a lot of different plants together in a pot, with the exception of some hanging pots that I have with a mix of small plants. It has been a problem to put smaller plants around the base of a large plant (like a Rose of Sharon tree)... the tree needs a lot of water, but that floods the smaller plants... since I have to water every evening, I don't feel like taking a lot of time watering slowly to protect the little plants... I wonder what smaller thing I could put in that large pot with the tree that wouldn't mind going swimming when I water the tree??? Mini glads didn't like all that watering... What is "artificial" soil"? I thought I should get rich soil for potted plants???? But it does firm up after a while... (By the way, I can answer the question about acidanthera, it DOES do very well in containers and you can start them early indoors... this is from my gardening experience in cold climate. I also have them in container in Phx and they shot up like magic within a week of planting.) This is my favorite scent... to die for. But the mixture of honeysuckle and jasmine early in the morning takes you right to heaven... I love my garden...

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Containers: Dealing with heat and sun
by: Sharon

Everyone has great questions. My main problem is gardening in desert heat. I rent, so I have found containers to help my need to be a gardener. My experience has been that some plants can stand the heat, but not the sun. Some can't stand the heat either, but do well until it gets over 100. The directions you get on seed packets or plants you purchase never apply to hot areas. For instance, they will say to water once a week. Excuse me, everything in my garden needs water every day. I can not miss a single evening of watering.

I love to plant my own tomatoes. Being new to the desert, and since everyone says tomatoes love the sun, I left them in the sun. WRONG... they dried up and did nothing last year. I pulled the pots to the side of the house that gets sun until noon and then shade, and considered them dead. Within a few days they were getting new leaves so I started watering them. I cared for them all through the "winter" and this spring they came back strong. They only got weak foliage, but some of them are really producing lots of tomatoes albeit small ones. Is there anything I can do to keep them producing when the temp gets over 100? They drop their flowers and that's the end of the tomatoes until it cools off again. I gave them about an inch of steer manure and that made them happy this spring. I also give them Miracle-Gro for tomatoes every two weeks, but I read that you think they should be fed every week. Is there something better than Miracle-Gro to feed them?

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Submitted by: Sharon

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Comment
Everyone has great questions. My main problem is gardening in desert heat. I rent, so I have found containers to help my need to be a gardener. My experience has been that some plants can stand the heat, but not the sun. Some can't stand the heat either, but do well until it gets over 100. The directions you get on seed packets or plants you purchase never apply to hot areas. For instance, they will say to water once a week. Excuse me, everything in my garden needs water every day. I can not miss a single evening of watering. I love to plant my own tomatoes. Being new to the desert, and since everyone says tomatoes love the sun, I left them in the sun. WRONG... they dried up and did nothing last year. I pulled the pots to the side of the house that gets sun until noon and then shade, and considered them dead. Within a few days they were getting new leaves so I started watering them. I cared for them all through the "winter" and this spring they came back strong. They only got weak foliage, but some of them are really producing lots of tomatoes albeit small ones. Is there anything I can do to keep them producing when the temp gets over 100? They drop their flowers and that's the end of the tomatoes until it cools off again. I gave them about an inch of steer manure and that made them happy this spring. I also give them Miracle-Gro for tomatoes every two weeks, but I read that you think they should be fed every week. Is there something better than Miracle-Gro to feed them?

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upside down containers or topsy turvey's
by: Brenda Ladouceur

upside down containers or bag containers that hang what is your thought on these i tryed tomato plant in topsy turvey and cucumber not doing so well at all..tomato has hardly grown and cucumber died...maybe a subject you could add about upside down containers not sure if you believe in them or not but could use your advice to use them or not. Also I work evenings 4 till mid....so i love that you keep video's available so I can watch the video's when i get home...thanks your doing a great job keep it up.

fish emulsion
by: diane

another caveat to fish emulsion: don't use it if you live in a town house! My neighbors are ready to lynch me because of the smell! It doesn't really go away for quite a while. But it really does work great.

Love the Designing Containers YouTube Video
by: Blooming Stone

Thanks so much for the video about designing containers. I went right out and tucked mid-story plants all through the giant hypertufa flower pot I to my neighbour. He didn't mind my moving his gift plants into the middle from all around the edge of the planter to fill in, so that the low grass will peek through the blooming geraniums. Looks better already.

water Ideas??
by: mindnova

Water control is the most important problem I have. What soil mixes or even lawyers ideas do you have for conservation and maintaining water.

types of containers
by: Cheryl

I have read most of the comments and they are all excellent questions/comments. But do not see anything on pot arrangement. Outdoor rooms can be made by arranging several sized pots together to form 'walls" or centerpieces. How about some food for thoght on what to place together to look great!

Also, fish emulsion was mentioned, how about the great compost/soil that can be made using rabbit manure, either fresh from the rabbit, or left to sit for a while. No weed seeds, not strong, will not burn, and a fairly balanced composition.

Containers
by: Bette

I love the idea of the lightweight fiberglass containers, but I tend to stick with clay anyway, because it seems to me like the plastic types would fry the plants in the hot summer sun. Thoughts?

Fish Emulsion Fertilizer
by: Pat

Where can you buy fish emulsion feritlizer?
Thanks for any help.

Wintering Plants in containers
by: Evelyn

One of the most asked questions on my garden web site is "how do I winter my plants inside." Since so many gardeners grow in containers because they can bring the plants in out of the cold, it would be good to know all there is to know about keeping them alive once you get them inside.

planting in buried containers
by: Judy

I have a beautiful curved sidewalk, and I frame the walk with flowers. Tree roots from a large maple tree sap the water from flowers on one side of the walk. Would buried containers solve the problem? If so, what kind would I use?

Container layer planting
by: Susan

I would like information on how to layer spring bulbs with summer and fall blooming plants (perennials & annuals) in the same container to be overwintered in the garage.

Barrell containers
by: Anonymous

Hi Doug, my question is how often do you change the soil in these large barrel containers, or do you just change the top half yearly??? It can get expensive loading these up with potting soil for sure....thanks Kathy

Crazy About Containers
by: Candi

Wow! Everyone has good questions and it seems that container gardening is a popular topic. I'd love to hear it all. However, I promise to buy your ebook as well. There's nothing like having a good bit of information to refer back to. May I also say that your latest newsletter is right on the mark. Annuals (in gardens or containers) give you unbelievable color. Perennials, on the other hand, are always more expensive, but have their advantages too (like being there again and again) while improving with age. Would you comment on multi-level container plantings with bulbs (buried) and then adding annuals when they pass. I've never done it, but it sure seems like a wonderful idea.
As always, thanks and happy gardening!

Question 6
by: Liv

Hi Doug,

I thought of yet another question:
I like to flip through various gardening publications and one hot topic I've seen a lot recently is evergreens in containers. Specifically, evergreen arrangements/mixtures in containers. I like the look, but when I look at the "dwarf" evergreen plants in my local nursery, they eventually get BIG! Is there a secret to keeping them small so they can live a long happy life in a container?

Thank you,
Liv

Doug's e-book
by: Marie

Has anyone read Doug's e-book "Success with Container Gardening"? It answers a lot of the posted questions. I can't wait for the seminar to add to this book.

I still can't believe it was only $9 with a money back guarantee if not satisfied! I'd reeeely have to lie to get my money back!

The Bottom of the Barrel
by: Anonymous

Hi Doug: I would like to know the soil recipe for filling barrels. Is it always the same for all plants ? I once had barrels for about 15 yrs before they rotted after a I decided to empty them and start afresh. I remember we had charcoal at the bottom to stop the soil turning sour...it worked !! I wish I could remember what else went above that !!
Also do you have any ideas for shade plants for baskets on a north side shady spot. I take the baskets down and give them sun but still have problems. Tx for the seminar

know about potted rose
by: hemant

I am study on research problem on effect of potting media on rose cv.First Red under fan and pad greenhouse with media rice husk, red soil,FYM.black soil and cocopeat with diferent proportions.I want to know about the effect of that all materials in rose growth,flowering and vase life charecters. Which gives better result? and why? what is effect of bending on quality and please information about pest ,disease and fertilizer managments in polyhouse

Just a few more container subjects
by: June

1.) My biggest gardening thrill is growing my plants from seeds. If I plant seeds in large containers early in the year can I grow them on in it without root rot if I just water lightly (mist new seeds & seedlings), from the top? I get a little tired of repotting, repotting, and repotting my plants to get them to the right size for setting out. Can you suggest combos we could do that way?
2.) I don't believe anyone has asked about deadheading, my question is; are there container flowers that don't need deadheading? Could you demonstrate how to deadhead specific container plants? I think that deadheading is as important as feeding and watering for maintaining containers, but how can we stream-line the process? It takes forever to pinch some plants back enough to keep them looking good. What can we shear and how?
3.) Could you make suggestions for starting perennials in containers in the spring that we could transfer to the borders and beds in the fall?
4.) I was thinking I might get thrill, fill, and spill (t f & s) with petunias only. Maybe zinnias, but are there others? What annuals look good all by themselves in containers? What about designing groups of containers instead of grouping plants in containers? You know, big, medium & little and color combos and such, as well as t f & s.
5.) Can I use saucers under my containers and water less frequently once the roots fill the pot? What plants would survive and look good that way? What about water/pond plants in containers? Could we put info on them in the seminar also? Or do a separate water gardening seminar?
6.) Also, what methods do we use to rescue our containers when they do end up suffering from neglect? Which plants do we flood and which do we have to water a little bit at a time when they are too dried out?
And one last question (I think), what about our indoor plants going outdoors? I have burnt a few plants because I don't have an area outside that is shady enough for some of my indoor plants. Any suggestions for structures used specifically for the purpose of growing plants outside during the summer? I would love to do cymbidiums but in my zone 5 location I'm afraid to try. I was thinking I might do miniature ones. Also would like to do miniature roses. Also, I use chemical fertilizers for my indoor plants, would you suggest something else while they are outside.
Oops one more; bonsai plants. Do you have any suggestions for a year round outdoor bonsai container? Could we do over wintering bonsai plants? I've always wanted to try a larger bonsai or two but I'm intimidated about space issues during the winter.

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Submitted by: June

Title

Comment
1.) My biggest gardening thrill is growing my plants from seeds. If I plant seeds in large containers early in the year can I grow them on in it without root rot if I just water lightly (mist new seeds & seedlings), from the top? I get a little tired of repotting, repotting, and repotting my plants to get them to the right size for setting out. Can you suggest combos we could do that way? 2.) I don't believe anyone has asked about deadheading, my question is; are there container flowers that don't need deadheading? Could you demonstrate how to deadhead specific container plants? I think that deadheading is as important as feeding and watering for maintaining containers, but how can we stream-line the process? It takes forever to pinch some plants back enough to keep them looking good. What can we shear and how? 3.) Could you make suggestions for starting perennials in containers in the spring that we could transfer to the borders and beds in the fall? 4.) I was thinking I might get thrill, fill, and spill (t f & s) with petunias only. Maybe zinnias, but are there others? What annuals look good all by themselves in containers? What about designing groups of containers instead of grouping plants in containers? You know, big, medium & little and color combos and such, as well as t f & s. 5.) Can I use saucers under my containers and water less frequently once the roots fill the pot? What plants would survive and look good that way? What about water/pond plants in containers? Could we put info on them in the seminar also? Or do a separate water gardening seminar? 6.) Also, what methods do we use to rescue our containers when they do end up suffering from neglect? Which plants do we flood and which do we have to water a little bit at a time when they are too dried out? And one last question (I think), what about our indoor plants going outdoors? I have burnt a few plants because I don't have an area outside that is shady enough for some of my indoor plants. Any suggestions for structures used specifically for the purpose of growing plants outside during the summer? I would love to do cymbidiums but in my zone 5 location I'm afraid to try. I was thinking I might do miniature ones. Also would like to do miniature roses. Also, I use chemical fertilizers for my indoor plants, would you suggest something else while they are outside. Oops one more; bonsai plants. Do you have any suggestions for a year round outdoor bonsai container? Could we do over wintering bonsai plants? I've always wanted to try a larger bonsai or two but I'm intimidated about space issues during the winter.

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New to Balcony gardening.
by: Betty

I have just moved into an apartment and I have a fairly small balcony. I am very interested in what vegetables and flowers can be grown in containers. I am living in southern Ontario. Any suggestions and advice would be helpful.
Thanks

I agree
by: Anonymous

I am interested in all the questions already asked,

containers in the garden
by: aluf

I would like to know the ins and outs of putting containers below ground level in the garden.

Tropical Plants in Containers
by: Anonymous

I have many tropical plants in containers and have always planted the plants in the ground in the summer. Can I start planting the container and all in the ground to save time on digging them up in the fall or is it better to plant in the soil ?
Thanks
Linda

CONTAINERS & PLANTS IN CONTAINERS
by: PEARLS

(1) Which are better clay pots or plastic?
(2) I have Amaryllis in pots that are not flowering what can I do i tried using potash still nothing.
(3) I have gladiolus that have died down is it safe to plant something else in the pot until they come back ?

Starting containers indoors
by: Blooming Stone

This year I've taken advantage of our small attached greenhouse and packed it with Hypertufa containers that I've started early. Sunny days in February were perfect for Geraniums and then the first day our garden center had sweet potato vine I added them, and tucked in the house plant purple heart (Thriller, Spiller and Filler). I'll be adding a lime-coloured low growing grass as a filler to another. I'm fooling around with colour, texture and shape of plants that (may) go well together.

Any pitfalls and tips for starting containers early indoors?

Thanks, Mercedes

Winter Containers
by: Blooming Stone

Every fall I push red osier dogwood and pine boughs in the soil in my hypertufa containers around the property. They look very cheerful all winter. A big bonus is that the dogwood roots by spring. I am planting the rooted sprigs along the northern edge of our small-town property.

Any other shrubs that will root so easily and look so great in the winter? Any other combos that work so well all winter?

Thanks, Mercedes

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