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#1
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improving soil drainage without sand
I have a lot of plants in Pots in a very small garden, and like to move them around quite a bit according to whats in flower. I like to have a free *draining* soil in the pots, but adding sand ends up making them very heavy; especially the terracotta ones. Is there anything I can use to 'add' to the soil to improve drainage, that will not result in a increase in weight? Thanks. |
#2
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improving soil drainage without sand
"john zeiss" wrote in message
... I have a lot of plants in Pots in a very small garden, and like to move them around quite a bit according to whats in flower. I like to have a free *draining* soil in the pots, but adding sand ends up making them very heavy; especially the terracotta ones. Is there anything I can use to 'add' to the soil to improve drainage, that will not result in a increase in weight? Thanks. Vermiculite, perlite, even polystyrene beads. Though adding 10 - 15% of anything like this will of course reduce the amount of soil by the same amount. You may have to feed/water more often. Hope this helps Tom |
#3
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improving soil drainage without sand
"Tom" wrote in message
... Vermiculite, perlite, even polystyrene beads. Though adding 10 - 15% of anything like this will of course reduce the amount of soil by the same amount. You may have to feed/water more often. Bad form to reply to your own post I know, but I hit "send" before thinking. I would think that letting the pots dry out a good bit before moving them would help more than anything else (and has the added advantage of taking no effort at all). I have often let a plant in a pot dry out to the point of wilting without any lasting damage as long as you water straight away afterwards. Though if the plant is in flower you may not like the idea of that. Tom |
#4
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improving soil drainage without sand
On Mar 9, 6:38*pm, "Tom" wrote:
"Tom" wrote in message ... Vermiculite, perlite, even polystyrene beads. * *Though adding 10 - 15% of anything like this will of course reduce the amount of soil by the same amount. You may have to feed/water more often. |
#5
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improving soil drainage without sand
john zeiss wrote:
I have a lot of plants in Pots in a very small garden, and like to move them around quite a bit according to whats in flower. I like to have a free *draining* soil in the pots, but adding sand ends up making them very heavy; especially the terracotta ones. Is there anything I can use to 'add' to the soil to improve drainage, that will not result in a increase in weight? Thanks. I grow a few Japanese maples in pots, although not nearly as many as some do. It is essential to have very free draining soil for them. I add coco shells, small caliber pine bark. Some people use straight rough ground pine bark. I also use cat litter, but you have to have the right kind based on diatomite or similar. I believe the Tescos premium brand is meant to be excellent, see http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basicscatlitter.htm. I use cat litter for in ground planting also, because it seems to not interfere with natural water flow as much as other lighteners like peat. -E |
#6
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improving soil drainage without sand
"john zeiss" wrote I have a lot of plants in Pots in a very small garden, and like to move them around quite a bit according to whats in flower. I like to have a free *draining* soil in the pots, but adding sand ends up making them very heavy; especially the terracotta ones. Is there anything I can use to 'add' to the soil to improve drainage, that will not result in a increase in weight? I use fine bark chips as used in Orchid composts. -- Regards Bob Hobden |
#7
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improving soil drainage without sand
"john zeiss" wrote in message ... I have a lot of plants in Pots in a very small garden, and like to move them around quite a bit according to whats in flower. I like to have a free *draining* soil in the pots, but adding sand ends up making them very heavy; especially the terracotta ones. Is there anything I can use to 'add' to the soil to improve drainage, that will not result in a increase in weight? Thanks. You could use chunks of polystyrene packing foam in the base of your pots in place of crocks. This would make a considerable difference to weight *and* you'd be using significantly less compost, which could mean quite a saving if you have to buy it in. Spider |
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