Selecting a Pot
- Use as big a pot as you can find. Larger volumes of compost do not need watering as often and take longer to dry out.
- Line a clay or terracotta pot with plastic to reduce evaporation through the sides.
- Put plenty of crocks at the bottom of the pot to help drainage.
- Use a loam based compost which holds water better than a peat based compost that tends to go dusty when dry and is hard to rewet.
- Locate the pot in place before it is full and too heavy to move. You can get base boards on casters so the pot is mobile.
- Black pots absorb heat, plastic is utilitarian and widely available, some ceramics will not be frost proof.
- If you aim to grow tall subjects weight the bottom of the pot to reduce the risk of it blowing over.
Planting Up
- Firm your plants in well and backfill with more compost.
- Ensure all roots are covered as they would dry out quickly.
- Water the plants and if the surface sinks add more compost.
- Leave about 1″ below the rim for watering.
- Deadhead flowers regularly in summer.
- Feed with a liquid fertilizer every week after the first month. Initially the compost should contain enough nourishment.
- Select some edge plants to soften the appearance of the pot.
- Aim for height that relates to the size of your pot.
- If growing a specimen like a half standard I would mulch with a coloured gravel to finish off the overall appearance.
