I DIDN'T w/s-but have ? anyway about growing seed in pots

15 years ago

Can anyone help me with a question? I was too busy this spring to w/s...but I have about 16 thick plastic pots/planters from Walmart...also a few ceramic ones....not big, not too little either.

I want to still have zinnias, rudbeckia/gaillardia, larkspur and other annuals/a few perennials that I can grow on my sunny deck, as I have pretty much run out of garden space....husband doesn't want me to dig any more new beds.

I have a BIG new bag of Miracle Gro potting soil (it's not seed starting mix).....can I just plant some of my "direct sow" seeds in this in my pots and keep them well-watered on my deck (with good drainage as well?)

I have just no more room and I have flowers I want to grow for bouquets!

Thanks!

Phyl

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Comments (4)

mmqchdygg
15 years ago
Zins, larks & Ruds will be fine; they are annuals anyway.
Gaillardia...I think it depends which variety you have; the Goblins I BELIEVE can be treated as an annual in these pahts, so you shouldn't have any problem.

And I think you're just in time to sow them directly. Babysit the zins...you probably know that part.

Have a ball!
phylrae
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, mmqchdygg....but is there anything I need to worry about with them in POTS and using MG potting soil vs. direct-sowing them in the ground? Is it just the potential for them to dry out/heat up too quick in pots is higher than in the ground?
:0) Phyl
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FWIW, I've always had spotty germination with PCF and Gaillardia. To compensate, I sow REALLY thickly. I'm not as diligent about watering; they get it when I'm out there, and whichever ones I "see" that are definitely needing it. Ruds are also sprinkled really thickly, but I have spotty patchy germination, as well. Do you "place" your seeds in the containers, or just sprinkle them in? I count pretty much nothing; just sow heavily. And...FWIW, I'm still WSing- by that I mean still going...because I just didn't do enough over the winter/early spring, and I just want to do more. It's not too late to still start things. Toss in some Sweet Williams- they're bis, so they'll grow well this year, and flower next (and you'll likely never have to WS them again; I WSd them one year about 5 years ago, and don't have to ever re-WS them. Super easy). Also Dianthus/Carnations don't need cold strat, so you could do those...I'm sure there's piles of perennials that don't need cold strat that you could start now; I just don't have a list.
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mmqchdygg
15 years ago
I'm totally not the one to ask about container gardening because I stink at it. My main issue I think is that I tend to NOT tend them enough, and they dry out.
As long as you're diligent about watering, I can't imagine you'd have any problems.

Also, I found that my container plants that DID survive happen to be in large barrels which were mixed with compost. The 'failed' ones were in straight Pro-Mix, which as I've since found out does nothing for a growing plant. It needs "stuff." Miracle Grow likely has better "stuff" in it for plant nutrition.

Perhaps you could check with the folks over at the Container Gardening forum to make sure that you're ok with your setup. They'll know for sure.

Here is a link that might be useful: Container Gardening
stage_rat
15 years ago
Many people will WS straight into a container. They do put some sort of a greenhouse-creating cover on it. Whether you plant straight in the ground or a pot, the seeds are at the very surface, where it dries out fast, and they need daily or almost daily watering if you do not have a cover to hold the moisture in. You could do that, or just stretch some vented saran wrap across your pots, or use a clear garbage or dry-cleaning bag. Depending on how sunny your spot is, you will need big vents at this time of year since a warm day plus a very sunny spot may cook the seedlings.

Most people recommend a soilless or mostly soilless mix for containers, if what you have is actual soil, I would mix it with some perlite or peat or both to make sure it stays pretty fluffy all season.

I DIDN'T w/s-but have ? anyway about growing seed in pots

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mmqchdygg

phylrae
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I DIDN'T w/s-but have ? anyway about growing seed in pots

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mmqchdygg

phylraeOriginal Author

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