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Plant Containers
Plant Containers

Video: Plant Containers

Video: Plant Containers
Video: Planting in a Rectangular Container // Garden Answer 2024, March
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Using different pots and containers, you can create wonderful corners in the garden or near the house

Growing plants in containers

Growing plants in containers has a rich, centuries-old history. In the southern countries, it was known even before our era. Container crops were grown to decorate gardens and were presented as gifts for various celebrations. Nowadays, container gardening is widely developed in Western European countries and in the USA, where flower containers are actively included in the design of gardens.

Plant container
Plant container

In our northern conditions, the use of container crops has its own characteristics. But it is quite possible. For several decades I have been growing container plants. And in this article I will try to give some recommendations for planting, keeping trees, bushes and various flower plants in containers, for caring for them, and also for using these containers in order to increase the beauty and value of your site.

The containers can be used from the very beginning of the development of the garden. It is impossible at this time to cover all serious garden matters at once: housing construction, soil cultivation, garden decoration and many other large and small needs. And the front flower beds are still far away. And I want beauty. And this is where container landing comes in handy. The composition of well-chosen containers and flowers in them attracts attention, creates an accent in the garden. This is especially valuable in our climate, when the development of plants is not very fast.

Where to place containers

If the construction work on the site is not completed, it is too early to talk about the garden, and the soul asks for beauty and comfort, then in this case, mini-flower beds in containers will be a good solution to the problem of decorating the site. They can be used to decorate loggias, balconies, terraces, verandas, green lounges, children's corners, walking paths, the entrance to the site and the house …

Types of containers

Containers differ in material from which they are made, in shape and purpose.

Ceramics. The most popular are ceramic or clay pots. They come in thousands of different shapes and sizes. The main reason for such widespread use of them is the rather cheap material. In addition, they "breathe" well, let water pass through. The disadvantage of ceramic and clay containers is their tendency to freeze and crack. They dry out quickly after watering. Salt deposits in them are the cause of the formation of a white bloom on the outside of the pot.

Concrete. This is also popular material. Containers made of it are stronger than ceramic containers, but heavier and more expensive.

Synthetics. Plastic and fibrous (fibrous) containers are durable. They are lightweight, durable and attractive. Fibrous and fibrous rubber pots are lightweight, but not as strong as plastic ones. Some of them are similar to concrete and ceramic ones.

Tree. Wooden containers are good if they are nicely shaped. They are used if you need to hide contacts, seams in a building. True, the tree begins to rot over time. This process can be slowed down by using different impregnations.

Metal. Cast from iron, aluminum, copper and tin, the pots look flawless. Of course, they are expensive, but they are practical as accents.

Handicraft, improvised products. They are modest, without pretensions. Old tubs, shoes, tubs, pots, cast irons, boxes, washing machine cases, carts, cisterns, car tires, troughs, buckets or some other bulky items can be used as containers in the garden. They add elements of surprise to the garden. Especially if painted in bright or calm colors. Baskets of various designs can also be an exquisite and effective decoration for a home, facade and any place in the garden. If you have imagination and know how to joke, then create extraordinary containers. At any stage of creating a garden, you can show your wit, your taste and the ability to transform an ordinary pot into an unusual, extraordinary one.

Painting and coloring. A quick and easy way to decorate a container is to decorate it. Choose a pot that suits you and start painting. However, it must be remembered that in most cases plastic and other synthetic containers cannot be painted. Concrete, ceramic, wood, cast aluminum, iron and copper products paint well. Use a variety of decorating techniques on a clean pot. For example, decorate the sides, edges, or just one side. Use sculpting: secure pieces of broken glass, plastic on the outside. Let the sculpting dry for 24 hours. Then fill in the spaces between the pieces with fine sand. Dry again and wipe off any excess. This is how you plan your garden design to your liking, creating schemes with harmonious or contrasting compositions. Of course, the easiest way is to choose a ready-made container in a pottery store,decorated with glaze or other beautiful design.

Containers have a big advantage over stationary flower beds - they are mobile. They can be easily moved to any place on the site, changing position, forming and updating compositions. Combinations of container cultures with small architectural forms made of wood, stone, and ceramics look good.

It must be remembered that a sine qua non for all the containers described above is the presence of holes for the drain of excess water. If a deep and dense container does not have a hole, then create good drainage at its bottom with small stones, pebbles, cans, gravel, twigs, moss or felt.

Containers with ampelous forms of plants, attached on brackets to walls, lamps, baskets, are not inferior in decorativeness to climbing plants, lianas draping the walls with their whips. Use with this design the rich possibilities of petunia, pelargonium, begonias, fuchsia, lobelia. By placing containers in different positions on the walls and trees, you will get excellent decorative compositions.

Recommendations for planting plants in containers

The best option if you buy plants with a closed root system, for example, in a peat pot. The old depleted soil in the container needs to be improved before planting. The soil must be well moistened before planting. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide and slightly deeper than the volume of the earthy ball around the root system of the purchased plant. Plant it carefully in it, trying to keep the plant upright. After planting, fill all the empty spaces in the container with fertilized soil.

The proportion of dressings during the growing season can be used with liquid fertilizers recommended for this plant. The correct use of fertilizers will ensure the health, strength, vitality of your pets. Perennial plants can freeze out in winter, so it is necessary to carefully mulch the trunk circles before the cold weather.

If you purchased open-root plants for your container, try to keep them constantly moist and cool before planting. Before planting, trim and remove damaged, broken, diseased roots, trim long roots to a bend or to grow together with another root. When pruning the bare roots of a tree, do not remove the main leader. And in this case, the size of the planting pit should be such that the roots easily enter it without touching the side walls, and that the plant is somewhat deeper than it was in the nursery. Landing must be shed to the very bottom of the pit, you can do this by immersing a hose in it. Planting is complete after abundant watering. Leave some depression in the barrel circle to collect water.

In general, during the first growing season of the plant, watering should be regular. The frequency and amount of watering depends on the nature of the soil. In clay or other heavy soil, water once a week from April to September. If the soil in the container is sandy and light, water twice a week. However, do not water too often to avoid depleting the soil. In addition, frequent and shallow watering inhibits root development.

Shrub pruning

Plants in most cases only need to shorten the longer branches in the first year or two after planting to create a symmetrical appearance. In subsequent years, perform supportive, formative pruning. Spring blooming species should be cut off after flowering. Species blooming in summer are pruned in early spring. Evergreen shrubs are pruned in June - July.

Pruning trees

Evergreen trees usually don't need pruning. But if the need arises, they can be cut at any time of the year. Do not cut more than half of the new growth. If there are branches that are drooping or damaged, they should be trimmed. Trimming hedges is best done in early spring. Most trees can be tidied up at any time of the year. Oak is trimmed only in winter.

Planting roses

If you bought a rose with an open root system, then try to plant it while it is still dormant. The graft site or stalk should be 2.5-3 cm below the ground. Loosen and spread the roots, making them tapered in the hole. Pour fertilized soil on top of the roots, adding it to the top of the planting hole. Water the planting abundantly and thoroughly trample so that after the earth settles, the rose sprouts are 3 cm below the surface of the earth. When the soil is well wet, cover the bush with plastic wrap up to a height of 15 cm. This will save the plant from drought and help the roots to settle down.

After a week, see if the sprouts and buds have started. When a few twigs are strong and sprout 3-4 cm long, add more soil and water.

Roses in pots. If you purchased roses with a closed root system, then plant them immediately if a planting site is ready. Plants with healthy leaves, many sprouts and buds are usually offered for sale. This will shorten your work with the plant. Such plants quickly take root and bloom in the first season. The soil for planting potted roses in a container must also be prepared carefully, as for planting roses with bare roots. Around the roots, the soil should be fertile, crumbly. When planting, carefully place the bush with a lump of earth in the prepared hole so that the grafting site is 3-4 cm below the ground. Pour fertilized soil into the free space around the roots and water thoroughly. Roses require shelter for the winter.

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