Pot plants need love too! - Oct 07, 2009
The windy weather from last week has caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to pot plants in the Macarthur area. When the plants blow over the terracotta or ceramic pots get broken. These can be hard to replace because pot colours and styles change with fashion.
If your pot plants are blowing over it is a sign that the plants need repotting into larger pots . It could also suggest the potting mix has become hydrophobic. Modern potting mixes are made from recycled green waste and pine bark. If the potting mix dries out it actually repels water. If the water just pours out the bottom of your pots when you water then your potting mix is hydrophobic. Many potting mixes have wetting agents added to help stop this happening but after 6 months these stop working.
We have had fantastic results topdressing our pot plants with " Greengold Planting Compost ". This organic rich product contains a wetting agent and a slow release organic fertiliser. We use it as a mulch around pot plants to a depth of 20mm. It washes down into the potting mix, filling in any cracks. This slows the water down so your soil gets more time to absorb the moisture. Within 14 days your pot plant will reward you with lush new growth. Plants can't talk so this is their way of saying I love you!
Tim Pickles is a CNP horticulturist and director of Tim's Garden Centre 2 Queen St Campbelltown 46267022.