Pot-in-pot planting method

10 years ago

Hello all,

I am new to this forum. I have read Al's discussion on soil and mixes. I am curious as to the benefits of pot-in-pot planting. Does it improve drainage? Help to wick the PWT? What is the proper procedure for planting this way? Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Darlene
Original Author
10 years ago
I just read Al's post "Dealing with Water-Retentive Soils" and it answered my question as to the benefits of pot-in-pot planting. But I am still wondering about if the inner pot is clay, what type of outer pot should be used. Thank you!

This post was edited by Darlene57 on Fri, May 24, 13 at 18:58
spaceman13
10 years ago
I used 2 of the same sized black plastic nursery pots. I think half the battle is keeping the root ball cooler, so the soil doesn't get too warm or dry out too quickly and uses less water. I saw an old episode of "Gardening by the Yard" where they were using this method at a tree farm, and am trying it for a few annuals I will pull and overwinter them in the garage. It came in real handy during a late frost, I just poped the pots out, put them into the garage overnight, then put them back in the next day!

I'm not sure it has any effect on drainage or PWT. I make my own 5-1-1 and if you use that with the pot in pot, it should work well.
Related Discussions
dual-pot method for darlingtonia
Q
Comments (8)
Congrats on your success! In the wild these are often subjected to temperatures into the 90+F range in the summer months, but the ground water moving through the substrate is cool to cold. It is the same habitat that the rare California Ladyslipper, Cypripedium californicum, grows in. So the real trick is to keep the roots cool, not so much the plant itself. I'm trying out a similar method this summer with Cypripedium orchids here in hot, balmy Kyushu. My setup is less elaborate than yours. I use two unglazed pots, a bit oversized, one sitting directly in the other. The plant is in the top pot of course, and the other pot is sitting in a reservoir of water (a deep dish). The water level in the dish is kept up to where the inner pot is always in contact with it. Evaporative cooling from both pots seems to keep temps about 10F below ambient (which often exceeds the high 80's). In theory, this method should work better in drier air since the rate of evaporation will increase in drier air. Most Cyps can't tolerate soil temps above 75F over the long haul. So far, things look good for most of my plants, but the blinding heat of August has yet to hit. I'm praying! PF
...See More
Fabric pot question and best potting mix for indoor plants
Q
Comments (0)
Hello all! So maybe it was discussed but I couldn't find the answer. I understand that if a fabric pot is placed on the soil outside, it basically erases any PWT that the pot may have. What about if a I use a fabric pot on my balcony? The balcony floor is that water proof stuff they use in apartments. Also, I would love to be able to prepare and mix Al's mix but I can't due to space and where I live. So I would like suggestions on what purchasable mix would be the best for indoor plants that would have excellent drainage for bananas and other plants. I've tried cactus and succulent mix in the past but can't tell if that was the best option or not. Thanks. Z
...See More
Ground-planting potted roses in their pots?!
Q
Comments (6)
The only two reasons I've seen this recommended are for gophers or voles as Sheila said, or for to constrain roses that sucker like gallicas. In both cases, you have to cut out substantial parts of the pot such as drill holes in the sides or cut out the bottom or the rose will trap itself and die from the constriction, if the poor drainage doesn't kill it first. I was advised when planting a particularly invasive gallica to take a full sized outdoor garbage can, cut out the bottom then plant ALL of the garbage can into the ground leaving just a lip above ground, putting the rose in the middle of that. Even with the 4' or so of the garbage can, some gallicas can send out runners below that level. Needless to say I made other plans involving that gallica since I simply can't fathom the size of that hole. For gophers, the better long-term solution I've seen is to bury the rose in a cage of hardware cloth that basically stays around the rose to protect the roots from chewing. Again, this sounds like a lot of work but necessary in some gopher climates. Beyond that, I can't think of any reason for long-term planting of a rose in a plastic pot into the ground. Some people do this temporarily, such as if they're leaving town for weeks with no one to water pots, but it's not a long-term solution. The same goes for those peat pots some roses and perennials come in, even though they're marketed to be planted in the pots. In reality, the peat pot wicks all the moisture away from the plant and it's usually a disaster. Best practice all around is to take the plant out of the pot to plant it, unless you have a big enough pot where you're planning to grow the rose in the (above ground) pot. Cynthia
...See More
Why is my plant potted in two pots?
Q
Comments (6)
I work part time in a greenhouse. Sometimes this happens when a large-sized plant is needed to fill a large pot - we just put one or two little ones in! Yes, you can take them out of the little pot now, but they might not grow well for a while. Some plants LIKE their roots crowded.
...See More
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
10 years ago
Pot-in-pot uses the soil in the lower pot as a wick to draw perched water from the pot the plant is in, into the soil in the lower pot. The ht of the PWT any soil supports is the same in any pot, regardless of pot size or shape. If a plant is planted in a soil that holds 4" of PW at container capacity (when the soil is fully saturated), and you use the pot-in-pot technique with at least 4" of soil in the lower pot, you will eliminate perched water in the main pot entirely. True too, is the fact that the double potting helps to keep the main pot soil temps cooler and more stable. By double potting, you can enjoy some of the benefits that can be had by growing in mini raised beds, as opposed to conventional containers.

Al
Darlene
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you both for your quick response. I live in SW Oregon (zone 8b) and have a young Sago palm that I brought from my Mom's home in Southern California and have not been having much luck. I think damp soil has been the one of the main issues. It's been hard to decide when to leave it out and when to put it in. It's not doing too well right now. I'm hoping it will flush soon and will be OK! Thanks again!

Related Stories

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants

By Kim Gamel

Confused about soil moisture, the best time to water and what watering device to use? This guide can help

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Potted Plants Perk Up the Streets of Coastal France

By Becky Harris

Dotting a stairway or perched on a café table, plants in colorful pots and vibrant flowers make a picturesque scene in a town on the coast

Full Story

CONTAINER GARDENS Solve Your Garden Border Dilemmas With Planted Pots

By Le jardinet

Set your containers free from the patio — placed among plantings in the ground, they fill unsightly gaps, let you experiment and more

Full Story

CONTAINER GARDENS Want Compelling Garden Minimalism? Think One Plant, One Pot

By CYAN Horticulture

Highlight a show-worthy stunner or elevate a pedestrian plant by giving it a solo starring role in the garden

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 11 Perfect Plants for a Moonlit Garden — in Pots

By Kim Gamel

Create an alluring after-dark aura on a patio or deck with container plants that glow white under the stars

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES The Secret Formula for Grouping Plants in a Pot

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Designing a gorgeous container garden is easy once you know this simple rule of thumb for composition

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Pick the Right Plant Pot to Flatter Your Landscape

By Kim Gamel

To play matchmaker for your container garden and its surroundings, you've got to know all the materials and pick the right style

Full Story

FOLIAGE The Right Touch: 13 Soft, Fuzzy Plants for Gardens and Pots

By Marianne Lipanovich

Brush a hand on velvety foliage or fluffy plumes for a sensory garden experience beyond sight and smell

Full Story

HOUSEPLANTS One Pot, One Big Shot of the Tropics

By creative jewish mom.com

Give your rooms exotic flair in a single stroke. Tall Kentia palm fits the tropical bill beautifully

Full Story

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Playful Planters and Pots

By Dana Miller

Get planting this season using pretty pots that move from indoors to outside with ease

Full Story

Pot-in-pot planting method

Comments (4)

Darlene
Original Author

spaceman13

Related Discussions

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

Darlene
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Pot-in-pot planting method

Comments (4)

DarleneOriginal Author

spaceman13

Related Discussions

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

DarleneOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Darlene
Original Author

Darlene
Original Author