Questions tagged [containers]

Plant pots and boxes that hold soil and growing plants. Use this tag with questions about different aspects of containers or problems about plants potted into a specific type of container. Most common types are: ceramic, plastic, concrete, clay or terracotta.

A container is a more general word for a plant . Whilst pots are traditionally round, containers can be a variety of shapes including rectangular or specialist shapes for specific plant types (e.g. herbs and strawberries)

Use this tag for all questions about container planting: E.g. type of container, types of (or other growing medium), , ing, etc. for particular plants and locations.

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What are good plants to use in a container-based winter garden?

I live in an apartment that has a small outdoor patio and I'm looking to create a little container garden this autumn/winter. I'm located in the US (hardiness zone is 7) and I'm looking for ideas (plants) that might work well in this environment.…
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Is it safe to change the entire soil surrounding the roots?

Usually when you buy plants from the store, the soil type might not be suitable to them. Is it safe to change the soil completely? I mean to remove all the soil around most of the roots, then put it into a pot with new soil. I can think of 2…
lamwaiman1988
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Will a galvanized container leach Zinc and "Trim" the roots? Are there other effects?

I have heard that a galvanized container such as this one for a raised bed will leach zinc and "trim" the roots. What do they mean by this? Would the increased zinc be bad for raising food plants? I was planning on growing bamboo in them but having…
Chance
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How are peppers and mulch used in a desert environment?

I have a couple of pepper plants that I've recently procured. Since I do not want these to go the way every other plant that has been gifted to me (i.e. death), I transplanted them into some large planters and used "moisture-control" potting soil,…
russjman
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What size of plant pot should I be using for young chili plants?

I have 4 small chili plants (sorry not sure what variety they are), they have 3 sets of leaves. I re-potted them from a seed tray about 2 weeks ago. I'm a bit concerned the plant pot is too big? When growing from seeds how many times should I re-pot…
Dan
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Growing multiple pepper plants in one pot vs just one plant per pot

I'm a real hot chili lover, and yearly grow about 50 plants from about 10 varieties. I'm used to grow 3 plants (of the same variety) in a single 40 liter pot. While I do get good results, I'm still not sure if it's a good idea to put multiple plants…
Run CMD
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Has anybody had any success using 5 gallon buckets as planters?

I've recently became interested in starting some outdoor planters this coming spring. After searching around, I found an interesting idea off of Popular Mechanics using 5 gallon drywall buckets as planters. What appealed to me was the low cost to…
WienerDog
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What problems can come from a tree with its graft union 5 inches above the soil line?

I planted a grafted apple tree in a pot and shortly thereafter realized the graft union is about 5-6 inches above the soil line. My gardening books and online searches recommend the union be no more than 3 inches above the soil line. Will it harm…
Ashley Grenon
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What could be causing rot to appear on the skin of my bell peppers?

I have a set of four bell pepper plants that I am growing in 12" containers in my backyard. They've been growing alright until the fruits on the plants have started to develop what appears to be a rot on their skin. What could be causing this? I…
Matthew Ruston
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What is a good source for free or inexpensive nursery pots?

Are there free (or low cost) sources for nursery pots? Presumably nurseries reuse them. I'd like to get a few dozen in varying sizes for starting vegetables.
kmm
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Will african violet fertilizer diffuse through clay pots?

I have several african violets in special clay pots. The pots kind of resemble a double boiler, and the lower pot is filled with water, then the upper section, containing the plant, is unglazed on its bottom half. If I add fertilizer to the water…
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Do homemade paper pots for seedlings really work well?

This question talks about making paper pots for seedlings, and links to what appears to be the standard pot maker for sale at various online outlets. There are also some entirely home made solutions (using an aerosol can, a jam jar, etc to shape the…
Tea Drinker
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Why is dumping kitchen waste (like peels of a potato) in a potted plant a bad idea?

I've heard that dumping kitchen waste, like rinds of potatoes, cucumbers, gourds, onions, etc. is a bad idea. Why it is a bad idea? And if I dig that type of kitchen waste an inch or so in the soil and then cover up with soil any better? Apart from…
4-K
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How to water a potless Tillandsia Cyanea?

I have a Tillandsia Cyanea that I have to do something with. It's by Living Trends and they put it in a small drainless pot with a magnet on the back. It's technically in a small pot within that pot, but it's still not healthy. Recently, while…
Dalton
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Why do my tomato leaves look powdery?

I have a threesome of tomato plants planted in on my porch. All three have some leaves that seem to be a bit white and powdery. One of the leaves has even started to turn a bit brown. I don't think this is blight, I'm pretty sure I know what that…
wax eagle
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