have you ever done this? Container houseplants into ground?

14 years ago

I am experimenting..

I have planted a couple of Jades into my rock garden in garden soil.

I have planted my frangrans olive trees into the garden bed.

I have planted a plumeria into a raised bed in full sun, and a few camellias into a semi shady spot into the mulched area.

Can anyone see any disadvantages, or advantages to this?

So far, it seems like my Jades are thriving in the rock garden in full sun, growing fast and turning bright colors..

I would be curious to see if anyone else puts some of their what would be considered otherwise container plants into the ground for the warmer seasons. Someone told me to give it a shot and watch my plants explode..We will see.:-)

I am tempted to try planting a couple of my smaller citrus trees inground in a great composted area with rich fast draining soil and see what happens to them, once all frost danger is over..Hummmm

Have you done this?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
I could have sworn that I answered this question earlier, Mike. I must be cwazy.

Most people don't realize how quickly plant roots grow, and how far away from the main stem they will travel. You will completely alter the root systems of your plants by planting them in the soil. Yes, your plants may thrive (as long as your outdoor environment is suitable), but they sure as heck won't like being dug back up in the fall, plunked into an artificial medium and dragged back inside!

In my opinion, having a plant grow like gangbusters for a few months out of the year, but go through a serious stress for the rest of the year is not a good thing.

Experimentation is rarely a bad thing, though. Just don't do this with a plant that you value dearly.
meyermike_1micha
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you Rhizzo..

Great points going to be taken very seriously.

Really appreciated..

Mike..:-)
Related Discussions
Transplanting houseplants into the ground, have you done this?
Q
Comments (1)
I've done that and here's an idea how. I use containers that are deeper than they are wide. Usually twice as deep as they are wide. The biggest problem is the air roots in the first inch or two of the top soil or mix. The air roots. I used 5 gallon tall buckets. Cut a hole across the lower part of the bucket on either side about 1" x 3". Ever hear of a square peg in a round hole well that's what your going to do. There was always construction going on so round pipes plastic or metal doesn't matter. For me I just used larger buckets and placed the plant inside that one. The holding bucket I placed level with the ground level because you wouldn't belive how many people with 20 x 20 vision will trip over it. Save your self some trouble. By the way save the lid to the larger bucket too, you'll use that to cover the hole when your done. Put a few holes in the side of the larger round bucket. I use 1/8" holes to save trouble cleaning it out later. Root growth will find and space to poke thru. Now I don't put any holes in the bottom of either bucket because you won't get it back out the ground. I use gravel (small size) in the bottom of the round bucket enough to lift the square bucket about 3" inches above ground level. Once you get that fill in the rest with what ever you want. I have a Carmel shovel to cut the roots at the end of the season. Short shovel used in candy making but any one will do. I'd slide the shovel along side the inner bucket to cut off the roots that grew durng the seaon and just pulled that bad boy out. Of course you have to clean out the mess in the round bucket. Fill the bucket with gravel because even with the lid on people will find a way to fall in that hole if you don't. Of course te best part is now your free to put out any plant you want in that hole in any season you want Christmas lights Egg Trees during Easter.
...See More
Have you ever planted a fig on public ground ??
Q
Comments (10)
Getting back to the posted subject, I wish I had taken pictures of our shoes at Wolfskill at the end of the day. Jon pinned the term fig-foot. The soles of our shoes were so caked with rotted figs that had dropped to the ground it was hard to walk. It was almost impossible to remove it without scraping with a stick then scrubbing the remaining off with a scrub brush. It was VERY sticky, gooey mess. I can unfortunately understand why there are no fruit trees or many trees that drop inedible fruit growing in parks or in medians. Can you imagine the lawsuits, founded or otherwise, from angry motorists whose car has been hit with rotting fruit while passing the tree? Or if someone ate a fermenting fig and got sick? Or even the anger of the gardener who has to mow beneath the tree getting his machine clogged with rotting fruit? I'd love to plant parks with fruit trees but it's not practical in this lawsuit environment. They would be removed unceremoniously. Sue
...See More
Do you ever use already-ground pepper?
Q
Comments (29)
I think I must be the original pepper grinder collector!! My parents always used a grinder and we got a couple for wedding gifts. One was china and it sort of matched my dishes, but I dropped it....then I got another in a sort of blue Delft...dropped it. Went through several of those wooden ones with the crank on top Old Thompson...just wore out....and i hated putting them on my nicely set table. Found a sterling silver grinder! Only holds about 2 teaspoons of pepper and grinds slowly....BUT it's pretty!! Meanwhile for kitchen I went through 3 pair of those tall copper (made in Portugal) grinders...and one of those Perfex ones with the crank on top....pretty well wore that out. Finally I popped for one of those Greek mills....and for 25 years it has been going strong. I try to set a pretty table...but good friends, and family come into the kitchen and get the Atlas mill and put it on the table. I haven't filled the Waterford pepper shaker in years!! I think a lot of people don't understand that pepper has a flavor other than hot. Linda C
...See More
LOOKING for: Roasted broccoli ...chopped? Have you ever done thi
Q
Comments (9)
I roast broccoli all the time, cut up in pieces coat with some olive oil, sprinkle with dry crushed red pepper and add some roasted garlic pieces (a lot for me) or just sprinkle with garlic powder, roast at 375 until it just starts to brown, it is delicious, sometimes I do a mix of broccoli and cauliflower. I don't usually roast asparagus but I throw it on the grill a lot. I just trim, brush with some olive oil and grill until very tender, sprinkle with sea salt and it's ready to enjoy.
...See More
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
14 years ago
Hey, Mike!

I've done this with Jade cuttings, a Portulacaria afra cutting, and an Aloe nobilis.
The cuttings did well, and the A. nobilis put on great size! At the end of the season,
I washed the roots off and re-potted for the winter.

Josh
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
14 years ago
Good morning, Mike!
I linked to the Thread on last year's in-ground growing...
You're right, all the soil gets washed away.

Josh

Here is a link that might be useful: Succulents In-Ground for Summer (pics)
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
14 years ago
I have been doing the "unthinkable" for several years. I installed and maintain a garden for a local "volunteer" museum. Lantana makes a wonderful late summer until frost plant that will not make it through the winter, at least not in a garden desired to look GOOD all year. With the first frost I dig up all the Lantana and replace them with the Primroses I dug up when the summer got too hot for them, and I planted the Lantana. The removed plants are cut back, both the roots and the foliage and potted up for their "dormant" season, where they are kept in my coldframe until needed again. I am sure there are many plant combination's that could be used, at least in my climate. Al
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
14 years ago
As a bonsai practitioner, I'm interested in rapid growth and particularly increasing/manipulating the caliper of trunks and branches, both of which are much easier to do when the plant is in the ground. That's no problem for plants hardy to my zone - I just plunk them in the ground for a few years and manipulate 'til my heart's content. It IS a problem with tender plants though.

I've tried to stick things like Ficus b, myrtles .... you get the idea ..... into the ground for the summer expecting a plant that has grown significantly larger by Fall. That part always works, but like Dori mentions, the transition back to a container before they come indoors isn't always a good thing. The stress seems to affect some plants more than others, but it's such a hassle for me that I don't do it anymore. I've found that because most plants want to rest during the winter, the recovery period is extended and the stress from the repot + indoor winter conditions leaves most plants more vulnerable to disease and insect issues.

When you have as many plants in containers as I have, it's easier to loosen yourself from the desire to make a plant grow fast. I tend to concentrate on making them grow healthy and let the growth take care of itself. Why make your plant grow fast only to then worry about what to do about it? ;o) My suggestion for most plants would be to stay on top of the roots and repot (not pot-up) at the appropriate season when the roots and soil can both be removed from the pot intact. If you do this, and use a good soil/fertilizer/watering program, I can't imagine being too unhappy with growth rates.

Al

have you ever done this? Container houseplants into ground?

Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

meyermike_1micha
Original Author

Related Discussions

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

have you ever done this? Container houseplants into ground?

Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

meyermike_1michaOriginal Author

Related Discussions

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

meyermike_1micha
Original Author