Pots & drainage

[Bill HH]

Have you ever tried cutting a round hole with a knife in a hard plastic pot? The knife just wants to cut a straight line. It is not the best way. Borrow a drill.

[SoulBroNo1]

You could always build a fire if you dont have a gas ring

[AllInContainers]

Re crocks, many thanks for the links guys, but I'm going to stick to my gut instincts for now. From what I can see they don't take into account my point about the compost being washed past the crocks and therefore there being compost right to the bottom of the pot. I'm half willing to accept this theory with something like pea gravel where there is a substrate that the compost cannot viably enter, but not with fair sized crocks.

Imagine it another way ...

Down to the crock layer, there is full pot compost, and below that there is only 25% as much compost in cross section down to the bottom of the pot once it's washed into all the gaps. You could imagine it as though the bottom of the pot for crock depth reduces down to 25% of the diameter of the top. If compost holds X amount of water before it runs out, with 25% the amount of compost, you're going to hold 25% the water at the lower level. As it can't hold as much, more is going to be forced out as it drops through the compost above (excess only that isn't naturally absorbed of course).

I've emptied out enough pots from last year to see compost all the way to the bottom of the pots, even when I've used a (chunky) gravel layer. As far as I'm concerned I am not asking water to leave compost and travel through another medium, just make the innevitable sodden section of compost as small a volume as possible. I have also personally noticed a marked difference in drainage over pots that have just had compost in.

[KirstieSparkle]

Ok this is all quite interesting I'm glad I started this thread... I can kinda see both sides here!
I have just discovered my first ever planted seeds have sprung up so I'm happy! And my rosemary is flowering (I didn't know it did that)
Looks like I do t kill everything.
Still need a drill though :-(

[Potstubsdustbins]

I used crocks in my containers for many years. Stopped about 5 years ago and will never bother again. When you empty your containers you can see the root growth has gone to the base of the pot. This alone tells you the root formation would be cramped if you used any form of crocks.

Potty

[Potstubsdustbins]

Kirstie, If you want a drill try the bay. You won't be giving it a lot of hard work so a cheapo cheapo 12 volt battery drill will do the job, anywhere from £12 to £20.

Potty

[KirstieSparkle]

thanks guys, sorry ive been super busy at work and no internet at flat yet + worked through my mobile data so i cant check in as much as i would like :-(

I planted some stuff last week as got impatient and a mate brought me a drill round today so going to drill some holes in the bases the roots shouldnt be anywhere near the bottom as i only planted in really deep tubs :-)

[KirstieSparkle]

oh and another question - going back to the rosemary - its REALLY flowering! should i take them off or let it flower?

[snakeshack]

Let it flower the bees need all the help they can get at this time of year,and they love rosemary


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum