The Right Way to Pot a Plant

17 years ago

Okay, a long time ago, I read something about it being necessary to put a few pieces of clay pot shards or other material in the bottom of pots before adding the soil and the plant in order to keep the soil from running out the drainage holes so bad when watering. I can't help but wonder how necessary this is and if so, what you all use in the bottoms of the pots.

Also, along the same lines, what preferences do you all have for soil mixes?Any particular type or brand or do you make your own?

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Comments (11)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
Preventing potting medium from evacuating upon watering is pretty important, as long as the holes are large enough, and you are watering properly at least 'some' of the time. ;-) I don't use pottery shards any longer ( I used to years ago) but have opted for the plastic grid used for needle point. It's perfect for keeping the good stuff in without slowing down the water flow. It is very inexpensive and can be reused over and over. I have used copper window screen in the past, to keep slugs from entering my containers via the drainage holes, but even that slows down the water flow too much for me.

You will find others that use coffee filters and even diapers in the bottom of their pots, which I simply don't GET! (lol) Unless the water leaves the container rapidly, there isn't going to be a lot of good oxygen in the soil column, and the vigor of the plants relies on that. Plants must have plenty of oxygen in the soil in order to make new roots.

As far as potting soil goes, I suggest you begin your homework by doing some reading on the past posts. As you can imagine, this topic comes up frequently! I make my own, although a commercial brand (Fafard or nothing) of soil-less mix is typically a minor constituent (except for bonsai). Pay special attention to posts from Tapla (Al) for stellar advice and information regarding potting mediums.

Here is a link that might be useful: C'mon....it looks scary but it's GREAT reading!
jenny_in_se_pa
17 years ago
rhizo - I think the diaper use was due to the PAM (polyacrylamide) crystals that are often put in them to absorb "excess" liquid. So rather than buy products like "SoilMoist", the same stuff is inside the diaper and can absorb and later release water back into the soil. The key of how well it works would depend on the type of soil mix and I expect that if the mix is heavy in peat, it might help rewet from the bottom up for those who seldom water.
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poppydog
17 years ago
I break so many pots, that I have an endless supply of shards for the bottoms of my pots. Leaving them outside in zone 5 winters with soil moist crystals is a guarantee to an exploded pot. Oops.
OUTofSPITE
17 years ago
I use soil moist & leave the pots out all season - none exploded. The key is not to put too much & have it deep enough so it doesn't heave the plants out of the pot.

As for the bottom of the pot - I used to put a rock or pot shards in the botton. Then I switched to old pantyhose - which works very well.
2 years ago I bought a roll of nylon screen-the type you would repair your window screens with. Make sure it's nylon - not metal.
It works like a charm. I cut some strips & cut out what I need. I haven't had to replace any in the pots-this is season #3 for them. If I buy a new pot, I cut off a piece & I'm good to go. The rest of the roll I hid under my couch. LOL!
poppydog
17 years ago
Outofspite----YOU ARE RIGHT. Actually, I used too much. I think our winters are colder here too. It rained and the crystals swelled up and then it went to a deep freeze. The pot didn't actually explode, so much as split open in many places.

Nancy - I have also used rocks. They are free and work perfectly. Do you have any new construction going up near you? I'm sure there are loads of rock and brick bits you could pick up. Since workplaces have become so casual,I don't have pantyhose anymore. If you have 'em, use 'em. I would just suggest that you would never need to buy something for this purpose. I mean, you're just blocking a hole. Broken dishes work just as well as long as there is no lead or mercury in them. I throw everything I break into a bin in the garage. I think I have a lifetime supply.
october17
17 years ago
I use a paper towel or napkin, wetted down before i add the soil.
OUTofSPITE
17 years ago
I've also used coffee filters. The store brand doesn't cost that much & you get a lot in the package.
greenthumbgardener
17 years ago
I'm for the nylon screen. I do a lot of potting and re-potting, because I like to grow African Violets from seed. When I transplant, I dump out the old plant and re-use the screen. They never seem to wear out.
Barbaraga
17 years ago
If a pot has large holes, I use a handful of pine needles from the front yard.
libris2
17 years ago
Used dryer sheets work very well; I stuff them in an old boot.
nancyjeanmc
17 years ago
>>Poppydog said: "Leaving them outside in zone 5 winters with soil moist crystals is a guarantee to an exploded pot."
Oh, yeah. Been there. :(

I just use some torn up newspaper. Decomposes by the end of the season, and works great!