English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

the pots, the soil all floats to the surface of the pot and doesnt sink in. What is the p[roblem?

2006-10-30 21:37:36 · 10 answers · asked by genieejj 3 in Home & Garden Garden & Landscape

10 answers

What is your potting mix made up of? Are you using commercially grown potting media, or have you prepared it yourself from soil outside you home? If you have, then its not a good idea to do so.
Regardless your mix shouldn't be this way, its time to buy some new potting mix and re pot.
Make sure you buy a good Potting media, most mixes if any good have all requirements that your plants need
. For instance, slow release fertilisers, water holding capacity of some kind though the mix itself or granules.
All potting medium will break down over time.
It sounds like your media has done this, or was of not good quality in the first place. Like everything, you get what you pay for, spend a few dollars on good Potting Mix and your plants will show there appreciation.

2006-10-31 00:49:11 · answer #1 · answered by tassie 3 · 0 0

You have one of 2 problems.

1) Compaction - caused by frequent watering, poor potting mix, older plantings and gravity itself. If your soil is hard to stick your finger into then this could be the issue.
Solution: Aerate your pots. Dig down in the surface as far as you can without causing significant root damage and mix in a slow decaying potting mix on the surface. Shredded redwood works well in this application since it takes a very long time to decay and retains moisture very well. Also poking holes into the root ball (but not too close to the trunk of the plant) will help as well, preferably with a coring tool that physically removes the dirt and soil to allow expansion.

2) Root bound - For plants that have been in their pots for too long, this is a common side-effect. The roots become so tight in the pot that the water is repelled to the sides of the pot (path of least Resistance) and misses the plant altogether, not to mention most of the soil has been squeezed out so moisture retention is shot. This is often the biggest hurdle in bonsai plants. That is why specific plants are usually used in this application because they can deal with the adverse conditions (with some help)
Solution: Best thing to do is to re-pot into a larger pot (usually at least 4" dia larger). If re-potting isn't an option. Gently use the advice given for "compaction".

2006-10-30 23:02:34 · answer #2 · answered by Whododatbe 1 · 0 0

Are you watering frequently? After you water, do you ever stick your finger in the soil? Is it soaked deep down or have you only just wetted the surface?

Sounds like your mix has too much clay which is great if it is constantly wet but very hard to keep wet once it dries out. You need to use more peat and other partially decomposed organics like seasoned compost to retain the moisture. As well, if you're not using one already, use a basin saucer under the pot as a water reservoir. Excess water will be sucked back into the soil through the bottom of the pot via capiliary action.

2006-10-30 22:32:19 · answer #3 · answered by wreck_beach 4 · 0 1

You Deserve The Garden Of Your Dreams

Be The Envy Of Your Friends And Neighbours, Save Time, Effort & Money When You Discover How To Create The Ultimate Garden.

Dear Garden Owner

In the next five minutes you will be reading hundreds of great gardening tips, for every job in the garden plus you'll discover amazing time savers that mean you can spend more time relaxing and entertaining in your garden rather than working in it.

It doesn't matter if you're a complete amateur, a budding enthusiast or a gardening professional I know you'll find lots of new ideas to create the garden of your dreams.

". .This New book contains all the information you need to create a beautiful garden Just like the Pro's"

For the first time we are offering Pauline Hodgkinson's latest book 'Your Garden' in digital format - this means you will be able to order it securely online and start reading in just minutes.

'Your Garden' is an amazing book, many of those must do jobs you've been putting off will seem much less daunting and will take far less time. You'll refer back to it again and again as you build towards your perfect garden. It's like having a professional gardener to help every time you venture outside.

It's Brand New!

Hundreds Of Easy To Follow Ideas, Tips and Shortcuts To Create The Perfect Garden.

Your Garden!


Just Some Of The Topics Included:


Instantly identify the plants that will thrive in your garden. This tip will save you money and prevent the disappointment of losing prized specimens.




A simple tip that will help you identify the soil types in your garden. It takes less than a minute and you won't need an expensive soil testing kit.




Discover which three commonly available plants can increase soil fertility, suppress weeds, improve the structure of your soil and help nourish any plants you put in the ground afterwards.




How to easily build a super effective compost bin from throwaway materials.




Find Out the key ingredient to good planting soil, ignore this tip and you could severely harm the prospects for healthy plants.




Discover which common household remedy can be used to dramatically increase fruiting and flowering of roses, tomatoes and peppers.




Learn how to design or re-design your garden just like the Pros, easy tricks and professional tips that you can use to create the perfect design to suit your needs.




How to create your own highly effective pest repellents without harmful and dangerous chemicals.


Before you read the rest of this letter there's some really good news!

Because 'Your Garden' is now available electronically there's no waiting for delivery, no postage costs to pay. You'll get book instantly.

It doesn't matter if it's 2pm or 2am you'll be reading 'Your Garden' in less than five minutes from now. You can read it on your PC or print out handy sections to take into the garden with you. But because digital delivery has much lower distribution costs we can pass on the savings direct to you!

Here's a full alphabetical listing of all the great topics covered in 'Your Garden'


About The Plant Hardiness Zone System
Autumn Colours
Bark Ringing & Scoring
Building a Pond
Compost Bins / Worm bins
Container Gardening
Cuttings - Everything You'll Ever Need To Know
Decking A Complete How To
Fruit Growing
Garden Design
Greenhouse Garden
How to Lay Garden Paving
Improving the Soil
Insect Stings
Insects & Pests
Kitchen Garden
Lawns Perfect Lawn Care Advice
Natural Mosquito Repellents
Path side planting
Paths and walkways
Pergolas How To Build Your Own
Planting
Propagation
Propagation by Budding and Grafting
Pruning Trees, Shrubs and Other Plants
Raised beds
Roses – How to grow and Prune
Soil Testing
Soil Texture
Soil Types
The Cottage garden
The Seasons
The Water garden
Topiary
Tree damage repair
Vegetables
Water Features

As you can see there’s so much useful knowledge in here -- you’ll be referring back to this work over and over again every year.

Just calculate the value of this great book: If you were going to try to find the same information elsewhere it would probably take several books and you'd still not have all the information that's included in 'Your Garden'

Don't delay order 'Your Garden' right now at this special introductory price and Get An Amazing Bonus.



I know you’ll find this book absolutely indispensable for all your gardening questions and concerns – but I understand you still might be sceptical. That's why, I ask you to see for yourself and try everything entirely at my risk.


If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with this great book we will refund your entire transaction in full without question.

We can't promise to keep our price this low much longer, but if you order now, it's still not too late to get:

"Your Garden" This great New ebook by Pauline Hodgkinson

2006-10-30 23:01:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

If your soil seems to be floating it sounds like you are letting it get too dry in between waterings. Try soakin it very slowly one time. this may take a good half an hour. After you've soaked it good this one time it should be easier to water. Whatever watering schedule you are on, try making it a little more frequent.

2006-10-31 00:24:39 · answer #5 · answered by Jordan G 1 · 0 0

The garden is a place that not all the residences can presume , If you want to make your personal dream backyard then choose https://tr.im/wM0Qi , Ideas 4 Landscaping for beginners and professionals.
The Ideas 4 Landscaping is a comprehensive landscaping resource with detailed diagrams , total with shade photos and examples on many varieties of landscaping designs. It is every little thing you'll need to get began in producing the perfect outside so you don’t dream anymore and make it possible.

2016-04-20 20:46:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

It may be time to change your potting mix. Try to get something more like soil...like maybe miracle grow potting soil.

2006-10-31 00:20:38 · answer #7 · answered by Jenna 3 · 0 0

aerate: poke holes in the soil with screwdriver, scissors, pencil, chop stick...then water. You can also try watering from the bottom, in the drip pan. sounds like there is an overabundance of peat moss or sphagnum moss in your soil. I prefer using Miracle gro soil. good luck

2006-10-30 21:40:42 · answer #8 · answered by reynwater 7 · 1 0

mix some peat or coir(shredded coconut husk) in it
add a wetting agent(liquid, granual, clay)
mulch the top of the pot

2006-10-30 22:43:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

"Trolls might want to be operating extra time!" regrettably, they spoke to their union reps and were informed they hadn't been assembly their quotas the previous couple of months, so anticipate them to be out in pressure. I usually carry a Stun gun round to apply on them, to attempt to save em decrease back. Oh, and humorous as hell funny tale....

2016-12-05 09:41:06 · answer #10 · answered by mento 4 · 0 0

fedest.com, questions and answers