CHALLENGES OF CONTAINER GARDENING
Container gardening is a rewarding and efficient way to grow plants anywhere. Since a gardener can easily move the containers around (indoors or out and from one room to another), he/she can control their environment and ensure optimal health conditions. This method of gardening can allow one to grow plants he/she may not otherwise be able to. Even better, it gives the gardener the chance to create decorative focal pieces around his/her home.
Although container gardens are stunning when done right, they also come with a number of challenges. After all, they cannot go anywhere. A gardener’s plants are confined in a small space and completely at the mercy of his/her care. As a result, it is vital that the gardener provides the best soil, sunlight, container, and water for his/her plant.
To help the gardener create a healthy and lasting container garden at home, here are the most common container gardening challenges and how each of them can be solved.
Compacted Soil
The problem: Plants begin to wilt even though you have provided a sufficient amount of water.
The cause: Poor drainage and soil aeration.
Solution: Re-pot the plant using a well-draining soil with plenty of perlite or vermiculite.
Next, make sure the container offers the proper amount of drainage holes in the bottom. Prop the pot up so water can drain more easily into the bottom saucer and empty excess water regularly. It’s important to avoid waterlogging plants that are more susceptible to root rot and fungal diseases.
For added drainage, add a layer of pebbles to the bottom of the container before adding in the soil. Additionally, cover the drainage holes with a coffee filter before adding in the stones. This will keep the soil from washing away each time a gardener waters.
Overheated Plants
The problem: Full-sun locations can cause some plants to overheat. This can either be because the direct sunlight heats the soil too much, or because the container is dark in colour. Overheating can drastically damage the roots.
The cause: Hot temperatures and direct sunlight.
Solution: Switch to using light-coloured planters over dark-coloured planters and choose containers made from wood or resin over metal and ceramic. You can also move the containers into a shady area or a location with indirect sunlight. An east-facing location can help decrease how much sun exposure your plants receive. As a result, it will reduce the soil’s likelihood of drying out.
If the plants seem okay but the soil dries out too quickly, switch to a plastic or resin container. These tend to hold onto moisture longer, as clay pots dry out fast. The smaller the container, the faster the soil will dry out as well, so make sure the pot is the appropriate size for your plant.
Failure to Thrive
The problem. Your plants just are not doing well. They may have a lack of colour or vigour, or leaf yellowing. Blooms may fall to the ground before fully forming or stop forming at all.
The cause. Low fertility.
Solution. Well-fed plants are going to live longer. Try feeding your plants bi-weekly with a fertilizer or select a potting soil with slow- release fertilizer. This will help to maintain well-fed plants all season. Make sure you also don’t overwater the plants, or you may flush any nutrients you add right out of the container.
Depending on your plant, you may need to use a slow-release fertilizer or allow more room for the roots to grow. Some plants can grow quickly and become pot-bound, allowing for little to no room for the plant to continue growing. You need to re-pot the plant into a larger container or divide the plant into smaller, new plants. Do your research for recommendations and best practices for your plant type.
Plant Incompatibility
The problem. Container gardening with more than one type of plant inside doesn’t always work well.
The cause. Incompatible species.
Solution. Use companion planting techniques to keep species together that will help the other thrive. Select plants that are compatible in terms of their soil, light, and care needs, and make sure they appear aesthetically appealing when planted together.
Check out the label of each plant to determine if they should be grouped together before you plant. Then fill the container with your favourite colour scheme or match the appearance with your home decor.
Container Placement
The problem. Your plants appear tall and spindly. They are unproductive and may not grow at all. They could even become sickly looking and turn a purple shade.
The cause. Insufficient light or heat.
Solution. Move the container to an area that offers more sunlight. You can search for the specific plant’s sunlight requirements and make sure the container is placed in an adequate location. If your plant doesn’t improve with the recommended amount of light, try reducing how much nitrogen you feed it.
A purple or sick-appearing plant may need higher temperatures. Move the plant to a warmer area, and if it doesn’t improve, try increasing the amount of phosphate in your base solution.
Pests
The problem. The leaves of your plant appear to have small holes, or the foliage looks distorted in terms of the shape. Whole leaves may go missing overnight.
The cause. Insects, commonly aphids, slugs, snails, beetles, cutworms, and spider mites. Larger wildlife like birds, rodents, and deer can also become troublesome when they start eating your garden.
Solution. Find the pests and hand-pick them from your plants.
Alternatively, hose the plants down with an organic insecticidal spray. You may also use cages and other cures to deter certain pests, for example:
Diseases Common in Container Gardening
The problem: Foliage appears dead, dried in some areas, rusty or powdery, or the leaves have spots.
The cause: Plant diseases like powdery mildew or blossom end rot.
Solution: Preventing these issues is easier if you select disease- resistant varieties, and care for your plants properly. If a disease does manifest, removing the affected foliage immediately, and burn it. Many diseases, such as mildew, mold, rot, and fungus issues result from overwatering.
Yellowing from Overwatering
The problem: Plant foliage yellows from the bottom.
The cause: Watering too much.
Solution: Reduce the amount and frequency you water the plants, especially while they are dormant in the rainy months. Also, check to make sure the container gardening pots offer proper drainage.
If you are struggling to remember to water your plant or stopping yourself from overwatering, try incorporating a drip irrigation system. You can make your own by combining drip-emitter rings, tubing, and a simple timer, and the watering system will take care of everything.
Death or Harm by Cold
The problem: The more plants you grow, the more plants you will kill. It is that simple. Sometimes even the most expert gardeners will kill plants. It is a fact of gardening life. The trick is to know when to give up on a plant. In a mixed container garden, it makes sense to give up rather early, so your whole container does not look ugly.
The cause: Colder climates and colder seasons with frost.
Solution: When a plant starts looking dreadful you have a couple of choices. Depending on the plant, you can cut it back dramatically, and hope for the best. For many plants, this is all it takes, and in a few weeks, your plant will come roaring back, happy and beautiful.
You can pull out the unhappy plant and put another plant in its place. Depending on how dead and/or precious the plant is, you can try to rehabilitate by repotting it and baby it until it rebounds or you just cannot stand the look of it any longer.
However, if your plant is exhibiting signs of serious disease, take it out immediately, re-pot it and either quarantine or put it in a plastic bag and throw it out.
Improper Container Choice
The problem: Plants die off, or they keep becoming waterlogged, overheated, etc.
The cause: The container does not match up to the plant’s needs.
The solution: Containers are not all created equally, and the pot selected should fit the plant’s needs while allowing for excellent drainage. Each type of container comes with pros and cons. Terra cotta pots are porous, for example, giving the great drainage. In contrast, they can warm up very quickly in the summer sunlight and overheat your plant’s roots.
When you are container gardening, choose pots based on the type of plan that will go into them: