Pots and potsof knowledge on potting plants

Despite the dreadful weather in the preceding days, it was a pleasant early summer evening.

David, who is a horticultural consultant from Andover, began by giving us a useful tip when buying a terracotta pot '“ give it a sharp knock with your knuckle and you should get a clear ringing sound thus ensuring the pot is free from imperfections.

It is important to prevent these pots from becoming waterlogged as cold weather will cause cracks or flaking if not properly prepared with good draining materials and supported just off the ground.

The thick rim on the pot acts as a guide to fill soil up to that point leaving the top margin to gauge the correct amount of water to use when watering.

He showed us pots attractively decorated with textured slate paint by Hammerite and Cuprinal fence paint.

Glazed pots are usually frost free. He recommended a company called Errington Rae of Barden Mill in Northumberland where pots are made to order.

As these pots often come without a drainage hole, one unusual use would be to display an aquatic plant in it.

Should you need to make a hole in a glazed pot, cover the base with masking tape before drilling.

Of course there are many other pots available.

Plastic and galvanized pots are popular, and many redundant household items like watering cans, buckets, old Wellington boots, and coal scuttles can be made into eye-catching planters.

David also advised that the shape of the pot should be according to the plant's needs '“ any shape or size is suitable for bedding plants.

Take care with pots narrow at the top as it could be difficult to remove the plant for repotting and if a tall plant is used make sure the pot has straight sides and a good solid base wider enough to be stable in a strong wind.

The choice of compost is limitless, to choose the right one for the right results with any particular plant can be a mind bending job.

However John Innes, who first introduced the mixture of seven parts loam (stacked for a year), three parts peat, two parts sharp sand with added fertilizer, made good results attainable to all.

In some areas compost made and supplied by the local authority is available.

Most plants in pots need feeding six to eight weeks after potting up.

Slow release pellets like Osmocot are useful for hanging baskets and tubs. They feed the plants when required up to six months.

Don't forget to mix water retaining gel with water before using or you could get into a sticky mess when it bubbles up out of your containers.

David concluded his talk by planting up aa attractive terracotta pot with three Plectranthus plant which originate from South Africa and several plants of Brachycome Daisy, a simple but very effective arrangement.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, August 23, at 7.30pm in Jubilee Hall in Chalcraft Lane, North Bersted.

Entrance is 1.50 for non-members. Everybody is welcome.