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Old 04-03-2012, 01:22 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening
Dave Hill Dave Hill is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Feb 2007
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2,409
Default Widely-followed potting-on beliefs.

On Mar 4, 12:59*pm, "AL_n" wrote:
I have always ben sceptical of the theory that one gets the best growth
from potted plants by following the advice of using only a slightly larger
pot than before when potting-on. This doesn't emulate nature, which usually
seems to do things quite efficiently, when left alone, out in the wild-and-
woolly wilds...

If you follow the advice, it seems to me that you end up with an
unnaturally dense root structure, with an unnaturally small amount of soil
between each root from which to extract nourishment.

So is the "next-size-up" advice good advice, and if so, why?

Thanks,

Al


Where in nature do you find plants growing in pots?
Planys grow their roots outwards, so if you use a much larger pot when
the roots reach the outside they will not turn round and grow back
towards the centre.
By moving up slowly you get the maximum amount of root to the pot
size.
If you use liquid feed on your pot plants then they can all make use
of it.
David @ ther wet end of Swansea Bay