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Yes that's what I purchased. Obviously I have no idea what wet feet means Most nurseries in MA are closed (the ones I know of) right now because it's winter and business is too slow to stay open which is why i purchased from home depot's websie. If I plant them in pots (NOW i understand ) they won't get wet feet?
Yes, but add something to the bottom of the pots like gravel or bits of broken clay pot to stop the soil plugging the drainage holes, and make sure the pot is deep & wide enough for the plant.
In the soil, make sure the hole is deep and wide enough too (at least 2x the size of the original plant pot), and mix the gravel into the soil, not in a heap at the bottom.
In the soil, make sure the hole is deep and wide enough too (at least 2x the size of the original plant pot), and mix the gravel into the soil, not in a heap at the bottom.
With all due respect, putting gravel in the bottom of the hole is a bad idea. I've planted thousands of plants professionally. It's a good way to kill your trees and shrubs. We take a lot of care taking OUT rocks and such here on the east coast. The appropriate remarks should be highlighted on the links below.
Northern Gardening Tips: Tips for spring tree and shrub planting (http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:GjTD46rxEicJ:www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php%3Farticle%3D3736+%22Don%27t+put+gravel+ or+stones+in+the+bottom+of+the+hole.%22&hl=en&ct=c lnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a - broken link)
With all due respect, putting gravel in the bottom of the hole is a bad idea. I've planted thousands of plants professionally. It's a good way to kill your trees and shrubs. We take a lot of care taking OUT rocks and such here on the east coast. The appropriate remarks should be highlighted on the links below.
Northern Gardening Tips: Tips for spring tree and shrub planting (http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:GjTD46rxEicJ:www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php%3Farticle%3D3736+%22Don%27t+put+gravel+ or+stones+in+the+bottom+of+the+hole.%22&hl=en&ct=c lnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a - broken link)
I did not get that impression. By "in the soil" and "hole" I inferred he/she meant in the ground. The 2x reference is also common to putting plants in the ground. I don't know how you make a 2x size hole in a pot? And putting gravel in the bottom of the hole is a common myth - hence all the mentions of it on those sites.
Yes, but add something to the bottom of the pots like gravel or bits of broken clay pot to stop the soil plugging the drainage holes, and make sure the pot is deep & wide enough for the plant.
In the soil, make sure the hole is deep and wide enough too (at least 2x the size of the original plant pot), and mix the gravel into the soil, not in a heap at the bottom.
Oy vey - I'm having to quote myself AND repeat myself here.... an odd sensation... but sorry if I wasn't clear.
I would never suggest putting a pile of stones in the base of a hole - but you can MIX drainage material INTO clay or heavy soils to lighten them. Organic matter, horticultural grit etc., not rocks or stones. If it's not solid clay or heavy or waterlogged, don't worry!
1. IN POTS Broken crocks in bottom of the new clay/plastic pots to prevent clogging the drainage holes. The new pot should be at least 2" bigger all round than the original pot.
OR
2. IN SOIL Adding some material to improve drainage to the soil if needed - organic matter or sharp sand, depending on your soil. MIX IT IN, don't put a pile in the bottom of the hole. I've done this hundreds of times and it has worked well. However, creating a big planting hole means you can break up the soil before you put it back in around the roots, which is usually sufficient without adding anything.
Oy vey - I'm having to quote myself AND repeat myself here.... an odd sensation... but sorry if I wasn't clear.
I thought you were quite clear, just wrong.
When planting in clay, you should never be adding anything or mixing in anything to the bottom of the hole. The root ball should sit on top of undisturbed earth. If you want to mix in some organic matter to the clay that will go around the plant, that's fine and good. Don't go over a 25% mix of organic material, and 10% is probably ideal. Adding sand/gravel/grit?/very small rocks/whatever to clay to "improve drainage" is a very old-school idea that has been proven more detrimental than good for plants. That's why I included the links ( the first few to come up on google on the subject) that I did.
That covers both coasts and Colorado. And these are some pretty heavy-weight horticultural Universities. I'm sure there is more info out there if I had the time to find it.
[quote=Art123;2756763]With all due respect, putting gravel in the bottom of the hole is a bad idea. I've planted thousands of plants professionally. It's a good way to kill your trees and shrubs. We take a lot of care taking OUT rocks and such here on the east coast. The appropriate remarks should be highlighted on the links below.
Explain how putting rocks into the bottom of the pot is detrimental to the plant.
If mother nature has rocks in the soil, is that detrimental. I thought rocks helped with drainage and air circulation to prevent rot, fungus and other problems.
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