If you’re a plant parent looking for the best way to keep your houseplants alive and healthy, you’ll want to read this article. We have many different tips and tricks to help you out, from using plastic saucers to wrapping your plants in protective coverings. So grab your gardening gloves and let’s get started!
Plant Sleeves: An Easy Way to Protect Your Plants
A plant sleeve, also known as protective trousers or sleeves for plants, is an aluminum case shaped like a box or a tubular casing. It ranges from 35 to 80 centimeters in height and is pressed into the ground and secured to the planting rod. The vine is then wrapped up tightly around the sleeve until it reaches the desired height.
Protecting Potted Plants from Freezing Temperatures and Ensuring Their Emotional Wellbeing
Aside from using a plant sleeve, there are other ways to keep potted plants from freezing outside. Covering the pots with burlap, bubble wrap, old blankets or geotextile blankets can help protect the roots and keep them warm. It is not necessary to wrap the entire plant since only the root zone needs protection. This way, heat will be retained in this area thanks to these protective coverings.
But what about the emotional needs of plants? Do plants get lonely in their pots? It appears that they do. Plants form symbiotic relationships with fungi underground, through their roots. These connections are physical and provide a way for them to “talk” to each other and share resources. When a plant is in a pot, it doesn’t have these underground connections, so it can feel lonely.
Can plants live forever if taken care of? According to researchers at the new york botanical garden in the Bronx, there is no specific lifespan for plants, except for annuals which are genetically programmed to only live one growing season. All other plants can survive as long as they are provided with proper care and adequate resources.
Ensuring the Health and Thriving of Plants in a Large Planter
Besides providing emotional support for plants, there are other ways to ensure that the plants in a large planter stay healthy and thriving. One way is to fill the bottom of the planter with materials such as paper and cardboard from old newspapers or Amazon delivery boxes. This material can be crushed down and mixed into the soil at the bottom of a large planter. It will help retain moisture in the soil, while also breaking down over time, which makes it ideal for repotting regularly.
Another way to help ensure the health of plants in a planter is to use rocks as mulch on top of the soil. Rocks can be especially beneficial for heat-loving plants, such as cacti and succulents.
By covering the drainage holes at the bottom of the planter with rocks, it will help to prevent water from pooling and becoming stagnant. This is because rocks don’t hold onto water like cloth would, allowing for free flow of water through the planter.
Finally, packing peanuts and Styrofoam can be used to keep the soil from falling out of the bottom of a planter. Packing peanuts provide support for the soil while allowing for good drainage, so you won’t need as much soil in your planter. Similarly, Styrofoam cut to the shape of the bottom of a pot works well to keep the soil intact while still allowing water to drain out.
It is important to note, however, that it is a myth that a layer of gravel beneath the soil improves container drainage. If you skip the gravel inside the bottom of individual or pot liners, excess water will perch or gather in the soil just above the gravel.
This can increase the chances of root rot. Therefore, a sponge should be placed at the bottom of the planter to prevent water from accumulating and causing root rot. Root rot happens when water gets trapped in the planter and can’t drain through the soil.
An Easy Way to Stabilize Potted Plants
Another way to keep potted plants from tipping over is by using plant pot stabilizers. These are wire structures that fit around the pot and have a wide base to anchor the pot in place. Commercial products are available for purchase, but it is also possible to set up your own stabilization system. For example, you can use pieces of wood or large rocks to make a stable platform for the pot. You can also use multiple pots of different sizes and stack them together before anchoring them in place with a wire structure or wooden platform. This will help create a secure foundation that will prevent your plants from tipping over even during strong winds and storms.
Improving Water Retention in Outdoor Potted Plants
Aside from using a plant sleeve and other methods to keep potted plants from freezing outside, another important factor for ensuring the health of your potted plants is water retention. What can be done in order to improve the soil’s water retention properties? Adding sphagnum moss, coconut coir, and vermiculite can help improve the soil’s ability to retain more water. If you want to prevent watering issues due to poor drainage, adding perlite, Leca (lightweight expanded clay aggregate), and sand can also help with improving drainage. This combination of materials will create a well-draining yet moisture-retaining potting mix that is ideal for keeping your plants healthy and thriving.
In addition to these materials, you can also add organic materials such as pine cones, wood chips, leaves, and sticks under your outdoor plant pots. This is a sustainable choice for seasonal planters who repot regularly since these organic materials will break down over time.
However, one important factor that cannot be overlooked when caring for outdoor potted plants is the use of plant saucers. Plant saucers are essential for preventing water damage to decks and patios.
A plastic saucer is a great choice for under your pot as it is lightweight, durable, and affordable. You can find plant saucers from Amazon that come in various sizes to fit between your pot and the surface you are placing it on. It doesn’t have to be plastic, but something that will fit between your pot and carpet or wood.
Conclusion
When it comes to potting plants, there are a number of options for protecting plants from the elements. From using a plastic saucer to adding perlite, Leca, and sand to your soil, to wrapping pots with burlap or bubble wrap, there are many ways to ensure that your plants are given the best chance of survival. And if all else fails, remember that all plants eventually die, and it’s up to you to make sure they live a long and happy life.