Improve pot drainage please

Meomye · July 2018

I have some lovely ceramic glazed pots but I do find drainage a bit of a problem with them. I just wondered how other people tackle this? I have ruined a few plants thinking they needed a drink when dry on top when in actual fact they were very wet below.

raisingirl · July 2018

Have you got 'feet' under them? I either try to get the sort with holes on the side or, if the holes are at the bottom, lifting them up so that hole has air under it rather than standing on paving (especially) helps them to drain better.

Most things I grow in pots are happy on the dry side (which is why I grow them in pots in the first place, having heavy wet soil), so I use plenty of grit in the potting mix.

punkdoc · July 2018

There may be nothing wrong with the drainage, you may just be giving them too much water.
Stick your finger in the pot, about an inch down, if that is dry, the plant probably needs more water.

Jules41 · July 2018

Instead of broken pots at the bottom I always use the polystyrene packaging (that you get around tvs, etc). It works really well and the pots are not too heavy either. It's not environmentally-friendly but sadly the polystyrene can't be recycled - at least it's getting another use instead of straight into landfill 😕

Fairygirl · July 2018

I do as r'girl does - it's mainly plants that need a drier medium, so nice free draining soil in the pots. I also raise them on feet or bits of brick/wood etc, although I also find they drain well enough when sitting on gravel, as many of my pots do.
I'd also agree with doc though - you may be overwatering. It will also depend on the type of plant and where it's located. If they get a reasonable amount of shade, they won't dry out as quickly as ones in full sun for a long time.

Meomye · July 2018

Thanks for replies, I do have them on pot feet, What actually is free draining soil? do you mean like a J.Innes as opposed to MPC? thanks

Fairygirl · July 2018

As r'girl said - some grit or fine gravel mixed through the soil/compost to keep it open is ideal for something that's in a pot long term. Shrubs, in particular, would need a soil based compost, or even some good garden soil as their main medium, with compost or other feed added to provide nutrients. It would be easy for them to get waterlogged in winter otherwise.
It depends on the type of planting whether you use a soil based compost, or compost alone, but compost on it's own can dry out very quickly [especially in hot,dry or windy conditions like it is just now] Annuals will be fine in that, but if you have dry conditions, it can help to have some soil mixed into it to help prevent water loss. Well rotted manure can also provide better water retention, so it's useful to add some for plants like sweet peas which need lots of food and water.
Hope that makes sense!

Fire · July 2018

I don't think crocks or anything else in the bottom of the pot change a thing. I don't think lifting the pot up helps much either, unless the water really can't escape. Gravel in the mix helps.

Lizzie27 · July 2018

I'm with Fire on this, most of my pots stand straight on the paving and if I overwater, the water just runs out the bottom. I don't use crocks either, but instead use an old J cloth over the hole(s) with grit on top to keep the ants and woodlice out.

Fire · July 2018

Earth compacts a bit in the pot. I don't think I lose much at all through the hole(s).

Improve pot drainage please

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