Which hostas do look their best in containers?
lindalana 5b Chicago
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
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square or round containers which is best
Comments (22)While I understand the point being made, I have seen plants being grown in holes where the hole was large enough to accommodate the full grown root mass and only that planting area was amended (with peat for pH) and the shrubs are still kicking and bearing 25 years later. And we used to "paint" tree wounds also :-) Like any other field of study, new research and discoveries in horticulture have changed the way we garden over the years. Just because we "have always done it this way" doesn't necessarily translate to that being the best or preferred method. And without having grown those same exact shrubs in unamended planting holes in a similar situation how does one know that the unamended treatment may (and most likely would) result in more robust and widespreading root systems, resuting in larger and healthier shrubs? Roots do not reach a preordained size or mass and then stop growing - they will continue to grow and expand until the plant finally dies. An average established tree can have a root spread of a diameter of more than 300 feet. A planting hole that will "accomodate the full grown root mass" is something I'd like to see - who digs these massive excavations? Justaguy, soil interface issues occur ANY time two different types of soil are in conjunction - it is the reason it is not recommended to layer gravel or shards at the bottom of container plantings. And gardening with clay soils myself, I can't tell you the number of times I've been called to clients' gardens to investigate problems with plants only to find the the plants suffering from root rots due to poor drainage in amended planting holes that retain water rather than allow the water to move naturally through the soil. These are not extreme situations - they are a lot more common than you seem to think or have experienced yourself. I am not a huge fan of Linda Chalker-Scott - she's a bit extreme in many of her opinions, but she nails this one. And for further evidence you might want to investigate planting guidelines offered by the extension services and the land grant universities that support them - pretty much all of them have divorced themselves from the recommendation to amend individual planting holes for a variety of reasons but it boils down to plants perform better in unamended soils or the entire planting area has been amended. Here is a link that might be useful: the myth of soil amendments...See MoreOk which soil is best to fill containers 4 WSing?
Comments (22)token, "Hope you find your seeds." Me, too, it's bugging the heck out of me, but I'll worry about it after Christmas when I'm not so preoccupied. Divorce rate, not funny but couldn't help chuckling. I'm already divorced for many, many years, so it isn't because of winter sowing. It does get lonely sometimes, but after I got used to it, I developed so many interests and quirks I don't know who would put up with me (or I them). So it does have an upside. Things finally smoothed out financially so I can enjoy a few things I never was able to before....See MoreBest hostas for containers
Comments (3)Jakki, while I have no doubt you've seen those observations about Hostas in pots/containers, I rather suspect it is not the variety but the husbandry. By that I mean that the vast majority of people tend to use a potting mix that collapses in 2 years at the most and that greatly reduces the growth potential of whatever is planted in it. If you go to the Container Gardening forum here you will see repeated recommendations for mixes that do not collapse as easily and to repot and refreshen the potting mix at least every other year, if not annually, for the plant to live up to its genetic potential. Pieter...See MoreWhich size container is Best for Hummers??
Comments (11)The Hummzinger website that christy gave above (Nottawa Wild Bird Supply) is selling the mini for only $10.17...a real steal for such a high-quality feeder. I think it's really worth it to avoid things like ants, bees, and wasps in the feeders, spillage of sugar water, and cleaning nooks and crannies of mildew/mold that you can get from other brands. My advice is to just go ahead and buy two or three right now to save on shipping--there's probably no doubt that you will eventually want more than one anyway! The Hummzinger has polycarbonate plastic instead of glass--actually easier to clean, and unbreakable. I leave my feeders up in the Fall until the hummers leave--I had one stick around until almost Thanksgiving this year. I've read some even overwinter if they have a reliable food source, although I haven't been so lucky yet. Don't worry--they won't freeze to death! One last note: when christy posted that website for Nottawa last night, the price was so good I purchased two more Hummzingers (I have problems with territorial males). I just got an email saying they'd already shipped. What a cool little company!...See Morelindalana 5b Chicago
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