Nursery Market Report: July 2001, SMALL SPACE SOLUTIONS: Pots With Pizzazz

CHOOSING CONTAINERS. Consider these characteristics to make sure a pot is suitable for the landscape.

Nonporous vs. porous. Glazed pots and plastic, metal and glass containers are nonporous and hold moisture longer but don’t look as natural as other materials. Clay pots are porous and lose moisture in dry weather. Wooden planters are lined with plastic sheeting to protect the wood, and are nonporous.

Drainage holes. Every container should drain to ensure plant health. If holes don’t exist, a few can be drilled into the bottom.

Susceptibility to frost damage. Most clay pots will crack or flake in winter, but other types of containers can be left outdoors and will not be damaged.

Weight. Some new pots are made of polystyrene and are easy to move. Heavy pots may be moved around or kept indefinitely on a wheeled platform.

CONTAINER SIZE. Keep plants in proportion to the container and the container in proportion to the location. Larger containers usually are placed on the ground for aesthetics, practicality of weight and mobility. Small ones can be placed in raised positions. Also, soil nutrients and water are used up more quickly in smaller containers.

ACCESSORIES. Think about using some functional accessories in containers to add a level of interest and increase profits. Try topiary frames or trellises made of twigs, grapevines or bamboo to support vining or tall-growing plants.

POTTING MIXES. Commercially available potting and soilless mixes are made up of different organic ingredients, including sphagnum peat moss, shredded bark and sawdust, as well as vermiculite, perlite, calcined clay and sand. Each ingredient provides certain traits.

1. Peat moss is acidic and holds water well. It is usually fibrous, brown and chunky.



2. Ground bark is cheaper than peat moss – it does not hold water and nutrients as well, but it may provide better aeration.



3. Vermiculite provides some nutrients and holds water and added nutrients.



4. Perlite is a granite-like volcanic material that loosens the mix and provides air space.

Large container mixes are blends of ground and composted fir or pine bark and peat moss. Five to 10 percent soil or loam is added to support shrubs and small container-grown trees.

POTTING MIX EVALUATION. An easy way to evaluate a potting mix is to wet it, plant in it and then water the planted container. A good mix should wet relatively easily and should not compact excessively. It should hold water without water-logging, and there should not be particles more than ¼ inch in size.