Caring For A Potted Plant: Mistakes To Avoid
Potted plants are an excellent option for homeowners who don't have a lot of space for an outdoor garden but still wish to grow plants and herbs. After all, potted plants require little space and can be placed just about anywhere with adequate sunlight. However, caring for a potted plant isn't always easy--especially for beginning gardeners.
In fact, there are a few common mistakes people make when caring for potted plants that can result in the plants failing to grow or dying:
Using a Pot with No Drainage
One of the worst mistakes you can make when it comes to potted plants is to not pay attention to the type of pot you use. Specifically, you'll want to select a pot that has drainage holes on the sides or bottom. Planting in a pot without drainage holes will eventually lead to rotting of the plant's roots, as excess water will have nowhere to escape.
When using a pot with drainage holes, just be sure that you have a drainage container under the pot to catch all that excess water--and empty it out regularly. Or, there's also the option of placing a smaller container with drainage inside a larger pot.
Using the Wrong Sized Pot
Make sure you choose a pot that's the ideal size based on the size of a plant's roots and the expected growth of the plant itself. A pot that's too small will ultimately not be able to provide enough space for the plant's roots to grow. As a result, the plant itself may slowly wilt and die if not transported to a larger pot.
On the other hand, a pot that's too large can also be problematic; the plant will struggle to get enough water because, each time you water it, the water will need to disperse through all the soil in the pot.
Not Thinking Before Potting
Finally, you may be surprised at how many people get overly ambitious and pick out a huge pot for a large plant. They get home, eagerly pour in potting soil and insert the plant, and then realize that the pot is now so heavy that it can't be easily moved to its final location. Save yourself this hassle by setting up your pot where you want it before you start adding potting soil--especially if you're working with a very large and heavy pot. This will save you a lot of headache down the road.
To learn more, contact a company like Bob Williams Nursery Inc. with any questions you have.