I have a mesh one that we got free, by going to the ladies house and taking it down. But that was the year Bill was diagnosed with cancer and the started all that hurricane business, and it is still out in the back yard. (I still have shed and porch roofs that need to be fixed.) I guess I will have to get my son-in -law or Brother-in -law to help me--as soon as I get the weeds, etc cleared up after a couple of years of neglect, while I took care of Bill. It's slow going right now!

What that soil needs is organic matter, not more of the mineral part of soil, so you do not need "topsoil". Any "topsoil" you buy might contain as much aqs 5 percent organic matter and 95 percent of the mineral component all soils contain, either sand, silt, or clay, stuff you do not need to spend money on. Look for compost, leaf mold, somehting that is organic matter to work into that soil.

There are certain hoyas, especially those from the eriostemma group that seem to like a little lime in their mix as they come from places that are sitting on limestone beds. However, how much lime and in what form is unclear, and you may be taking a big chance of losing them if it proved to be too much, or it was a variety that didn't want ANY. Some hoyas like their mix on the acid side, so I really don't think it is a wise idea to plant them directly into those pots. However, there is no reason you could not set the pot they are in INTO the concrete planter. Lots of people "double pot" for other reasons like keeping spills in check in the house. I do it for the reason that I like to use plastic pots for the plants because they are easy to clean and repot, however I also like the looks of the fancier planters all over. So I just add pebbles to the bottom of the new pot (to keep the plant from sitting in water) and then put the plastic pot inside. You can even put a little moss around the top if you want to hide the inside pot. This is what they do for interior design in public places also. This would stabelize your plants fine and be a lot less trouble to work with. Marcy

Hey Dave, I really like to do this during the heat of the summer. It usually is in August when i do this with the containers.. My trees are still on the deck in the black containers and i will probably sink them in a few weeks when the heat rolls around again. It is just good for the trees to get the roots off of the concrete and the hot deck. Yes.. it is just reg mulch (cheap) Pine to put in between the containers. I like it and the trees do as well. I have to cut the roots when i bring them in in the fall. Hi Cessna, Since i am not sinking them into the ground and only using the containers, i dont drill holes on the sides of the containers. I just use the reg holes that are on the bottom. WHen i plant into the containers using the gritty Mix, I put a layer of mesh on the bottom to protect the mix from escaping from the holes. I am just trying to keep the roots cool for a short period. Once the blazing heat settles down here in VA, I take them out and let them enjoy the heat of the deck and the day. Some of them that i have left until fall in the containers tho..have grown lots of roots from the holes... i just cut them when i bring them inside for the winter. Usually around the End of October, depending on the temps..Others that are in the Gritty Mix that i do sinkk in the ground are on the fence line. They are only half plunged into the mulch. This is only to prevent the roots from frying. Otherrs sink to increase root growth .. i do this to protect them from burning up... Hi Emily!! Thank you!! You are so sweet!! Looks good! Maybe you could make the hole larger and layer it with mulch so that it won't hold any water in the container when you water... I know that the earth acts like a giant wick, but if you have mostly clay.. it might helps your trees to have a barrier of mulch to help drain the water from you container to prevent root rot. ( so you dont have any Perched water sitting in your container) Your trees look great!! Always enjoy seeing your trees! Great job!! : ) Your seedling are awesome too! Take care, Laura