Container gardening

Feeding 

 Container grown plants have a restricted root system and a limited supply of nutrients in the mix.

Good and drainage and frequent watering mean plant nutrients are lost more quickly.

Feed small amounts of food regularly to keep plants growing strongly.

Apply fertiliser to moist soil mix.

Fertiliser Types

-Slow or Controlled release fertiliser

ican Fast Food (24 month)

Novatec (4 month)

Slow release fertilisers are easy and safe to use – they will not burn plant roots.

They need to be applied as per packet instruction.

-Liquid fertiliser

Ican Fast Food

Baby Bio Orchid food

Ocean N Boost

Biopower seaweed flake – this shouldn’t be treated as food on its own but as a vitamin and element supplement

Liquid fertiliser needs to be mixed with water- as per bottle instructions- before applying.

Apply only to damp soil.

Liquid fertiliser are fast acting but need to be applied more often – every 10-14 days during growing season.

Pests and Diseases 

Container plants can be susceptible to the same pests and diseases as the garden.
Key ones to watch for are;

• Snails, caterpillars, scale, mealy bugs, mites and aphids

• Powdery mildew, black spot and blights

   

Common Pest and Disease Control

• Caterpillars, scale, mealy bugs, mites and aphids

  Yates ‘Mavrik’

• Slugs and snails

  Tui ‘Quash’

• Blackspot

  Yates ‘Fungus Fighter’

• Powdery Mildew

  Free Flo Copper and Enspray 99 – Edibles

  Fungus Fighter - ornamentals

Benefits

Excellent for small gardens e.g. flats, units, apartments

Soften paved areas

Create focal point in the garden

Can be moved easily

Provide interest at different heights e.g. hanging baskets

The pots and containers add colour and interest as well as the plants

Restrain growth of plants that would grow too big in the garden

Almost any plant can be grown in pots and containers

Mixes

Do not use garden soil in pots and containers.

For outdoor containers use

Daltons Tub mix

For indoor pots use

Daltons Premium Potting Mix

Use specialist mixes for particular plants

African violet Mix

Cacti and Succulent Mix

Bulb Mix

Orchid Mix

Watering

-The size of the container and the size of the plant will affect the amount of water available to the plant.

-On hot summer days, daily watering will be necessary, small pots and hanging baskets may need water twice daily.

-Water thoroughly – fill the gap between the top of the potting mix and the top of the pot with water and allow to soak through the pot and drain out the bottom.

-Use watering wand or soft spray nozzle

-If mix dries out it can be difficult to water as the water tends to run off, add Saturaid wetting agent to mixes when planting to avoid this.

-Add Yates Waterwise water storage crystals to mix when potting up as these hold and store water which becomes available to the plant when potting mix dries out. This does not replace the need for watering!