Marlorena would your main concerns re climbers be weight and watering routine. Ive tried to build in the weight issue by emptying a 20kg bag of horticultural grit into the base of my pot. The pot is 60x60 I think
I'e used a potting mix of John innes, garden compost and good quality mare. With potash mixed in
Jason... if that pot was in my garden here, it would be blown over before too long, and despatched into the North Sea, but presumably you're going to attach the rose to the wall which will in turn support the pot, so you should be alright, and with John Innes too, that's heavy stuff. I should correct myself in saying that half oak barrels, the larger more solid round glazed pots and the big plastic round tubs you can get now in discount stores, are not likely to be going anywhere in a gale, I was referring to those decorative types like you have, they look nice but they need anchoring because they're taller and narrower at the base. Weighty compost that doesn't dry out should be o.k. but I don't trust them entirely.. I wouldn't have put all that grit in the bottom, but it doesn't matter it's done now, and that should weigh it down quite a bit.. it looks nice...
Too many people, I suspect, use cheap multi purpose compost that dries out, and don't water enough, and the pots just go flying... also if you ever do repot something, which is inevitable in the course of time, you really don't want curves and ridges, just straight sides...
It's not necessary Jason, and is a waste of grit. You should have put the compost in right to the bottom, with just an old piece of crock or a small piece cut from a plastic pot to cover the drainage holes, so water can drain through, without the compost slipping through the holes. No need for grit in the base. It is also now thought to be detrimental to the plant in any case, but please don't let this worry you, it'll be fine, it's what many of us used to do, but now no longer bother...
I'll just post a few photos of pots I use, that have worked for me.. Just to compare... No one has to like them, but they're practical for my purposes...
This is a large trough pot, made out of metal, I painted it white, and with metal trellis behind. I have a climbing rose in it plus other things. It's about 3 feet length maybe bit under, about 2 feet deep, about 1 foot across the top, filled with mix JI and other stuff. I would have liked to see you use something like this for your climbing rose.. I drilled extra holes in the bottom for drainage as I think there was only one in the middle.. compost filled to the bottom..
..This black pot, made out of some lightweight material, wasn't expensive, but it's deep and suitable for climbing roses. I have one in it full of buds attached to railings... it does have ridges at the top which isn't ideal, but I like it otherwise. Very heavy with compost, it won't be blown anywhere..
..this square metal pot has a perennial in it, if for a rose I would probably get the next size up, I aim to get one with an obelisk for a rose, but I would also use this too, it would be o.k. Impossible to blow over..and totally straight sided...
Thanks Marlorena...I do see where you are coming from re flat sided pots. I need to get my father in law on to it haha
The only thing I would say is that pot was at least 30kg without anything in it. I' suggest it possibly closer to 60kg now. But your right it does need anchoring some how
Your pot is lovely Jason, I actually had 3 exactly the same, I got them from Dobbie's garden centre I think... I have one left, but to be fair my dog kicked one over.. Something you will need to watch is that they get dirty quickly, algae and grime. I've almost given up cleaning them... Here is the one I have left in a corner where I don't see it too much, it really needs a darn good clean. I spray it will algae remover sometimes but it can take the colour off..
I don't use ceramic pots. As lovely as they are, they are too heavy. My other half will do some heavy work if asked, but is no gardener and will probably huff and puff if asked. I have had a dodgy back for years and kneeling down is becoming hard on the knees. So I do what I can and it will be in plastic pots. I am on a mission to protect the last of my joints for as long as possible.
I'm a bit late on this, but there is something many people have overlooked. One of the biggest problems with growing in a pot against a south-facing wall is that the pot absorbs a lot of heat during the day. This is not good for the roots of many, especially clematis.... Remember the old adage, "Head in the sun, feet in the shade." One solution I have found works well is to plant some sun-loving trailing annuals ie. petunia. Apart from complementing the flowers of the climber, these will also provide shade for the roots. Good luck. Ian
Some really interesting comments. Plenty to think about. My honeysuckle will hopefully find its way through the base of its pot into the larger, sand filled lower pot. Hopefully this will keep the roots cool and damp As an aside, I'm constantly amazed by how many plants seem to thrive in nothing but sand. I once had a 15ft hollyhock whose roots ran horizontally under paving slabs, nourished by nothing but sand
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I'e used a potting mix of John innes, garden compost and good quality mare. With potash mixed in
I should correct myself in saying that half oak barrels, the larger more solid round glazed pots and the big plastic round tubs you can get now in discount stores, are not likely to be going anywhere in a gale, I was referring to those decorative types like you have, they look nice but they need anchoring because they're taller and narrower at the base. Weighty compost that doesn't dry out should be o.k. but I don't trust them entirely.. I wouldn't have put all that grit in the bottom, but it doesn't matter it's done now, and that should weigh it down quite a bit.. it looks nice...
Too many people, I suspect, use cheap multi purpose compost that dries out, and don't water enough, and the pots just go flying... also if you ever do repot something, which is inevitable in the course of time, you really don't want curves and ridges, just straight sides...
Just one question...you say the grit is nottthe best idea? I'e always added it to the bottom of large pots or crocks for drainage.
I'll just post a few photos of pots I use, that have worked for me.. Just to compare...
No one has to like them, but they're practical for my purposes...
..This black pot, made out of some lightweight material, wasn't expensive, but it's deep and suitable for climbing roses. I have one in it full of buds attached to railings... it does have ridges at the top which isn't ideal, but I like it otherwise. Very heavy with compost, it won't be blown anywhere..
..this square metal pot has a perennial in it, if for a rose I would probably get the next size up, I aim to get one with an obelisk for a rose, but I would also use this too, it would be o.k. Impossible to blow over..and totally straight sided...
The only thing I would say is that pot was at least 30kg without anything in it. I' suggest it possibly closer to 60kg now. But your right it does need anchoring some how
Something you will need to watch is that they get dirty quickly, algae and grime. I've almost given up cleaning them... Here is the one I have left in a corner where I don't see it too much, it really needs a darn good clean. I spray it will algae remover sometimes but it can take the colour off..
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
One solution I have found works well is to plant some sun-loving trailing annuals ie. petunia. Apart from complementing the flowers of the climber, these will also provide shade for the roots. Good luck. Ian
My honeysuckle will hopefully find its way through the base of its pot into the larger, sand filled lower pot. Hopefully this will keep the roots cool and damp
As an aside, I'm constantly amazed by how many plants seem to thrive in nothing but sand. I once had a 15ft hollyhock whose roots ran horizontally under paving slabs, nourished by nothing but sand