Pot and Plant Care

The Importance of Pot Size

Pot and Plant Care

Customers should consult with a horticulturalist to ensure they have the correct planting guides. It is important the pot and plant are the right size for each other. If the plant is too large for the pot, structural damage may occur. This is as result of a plant root ball being too big and pushing against the pot. Alternatively, a plant may not thrive if the pot is too large for the plant.

Ensure that pots have adequate drainage. Make sure drainage holes are not blocked or can become blocked as this may result in the pot retaining water consequently causing the pot to swell and result in structural damage. Furthermore the plant can also get root rot and die.

Preparing Pot for the Plant

We recommend that the bottom of pot have geo- tech lining (or similar product such as fibre weed mat) to cover the drainage holes. On top then place an even layer of 20mm aggregate stone 4-6cm deep. Once the stone has been placed, geo-tech liner should be placed over the top of the stone. Ensure the liner touches the sides of the pot and goes slightly up the side of the pot to ensure no potting soil mixes with aggregate. Potting mix can then be placed on top of final layer of geo-tech lining. Finally, the plant can be potted into the pot.

Lime in Soil & Slow Release Fertilizers

All potting mix contains lime, and potting mix companies vary the level of lime added to their potting mix to adjust the pH levels. Potting mix with high levels of lime may result in earthen ware pots bleeding lime which will cause a white powder forming on the outside of the pot. This can be prevented by first sealing the inside of the pot with bitumen seal (product such as Crommelin Bitumen Waterproof Membrane) prior to planting up. Sealing will prevent this as well as aide in water retention.
https://www.crommelin.com.au/product/blackseal/

If lime bleeding occurs in an unseeled pot, wipe off the lime using a dry clean cloth regularly. The lime will eventually bleed out over a period of time. Your planting guides will advise the level of pH required for your plant.

Potting Mix

Do not use garden soil or budget potting mix as a substitute for a good quality potting mix, since water may not drain freely, and may cause water retention that can result in structural damage to your pot. Your planting guides will advise you of the best type of soil for your plant.

Moving Pots & Safety Compliance

Pots should not try to be moved when they are full of soil. Pulling or pushing against the sides of a full pot may result in structural damage to the pot or result in injury to those moving it. If you need to move a pot that has already been planted, remove the plant and soil first. Re-pot the plant after the empty pot has been moved into its new position. Always ensure pots are placed in appropriate locations to avoid injury or damages to the pot. Always ensure that you consult with trained professionals with weight bearing loads for balconies and compile with all safety aspects regarding heights of pots for balconies and along against pool fences.

On Going Maintenance

Maintaining your pots and routine inspection every couple of months will ensure your pots and plants will be long lasting. Ensure that water is draining freely, and drainage holes are not blocked, or that you are over watering which can result in damage to the pot. Check that plants have not become root bound and are pushing against the walls of the pot, in which case plants will need to be re potted in a larger pot to avoid structural damage the existing pot. Routinely keep up with sealant on pots to avoid sun damage as outlined above under ‘Sun Protection’. Painted finishes should be inspected routinely for wear or impairment due to external forces, and any paint damage can be cosmetically restored by drying the area thoroughly, sanding, and touch up paint applied with a roller.

Elevating Pots

If you want to elevate your pot, pot feet can be used and are available from us to purchase. When using pot feet it is essential that adequate quantities of pot feet are used and positionally placed since the weight load needs to be spread evenly (check recommendations with our team for your particular item). For GRC and Fibreglass troughs, cube planters and larger pots, we only recommend Size 2 Pot Feet which have a low profile height 1.5mm in height due to surface are span (check recommendations from our team). Size 1 Pot Feet and Glazed Pot Feet have a height of 2.5mm and can be used on smaller pots other than rectangular or cubes (refer to our team) Do not use any other materials as a substitute for pot feet such as house hold pavers.

Sun Protection

Fibreglass, GRC, and painted pots may fade overtime in direct sunlight. Potsonline sell a sealant which can be applied to the outside skin of the pot which will protect and prevent colour fading. The Sealant can be applied with a clean paint brush and then excess sealant wiped off with a dry clean cloth. We recommend the sealant should be applied every 12 months and can it be purchased from Potsonline.

Potsonline pots can be used indoors as well as outdoors. We can seal the inside of pots so that the pot becomes water proof. We recommend that indoor plants sit directly in the plastic container the plant came in inside the sealed pot. This way the indoor plant can be removed at any time for deep watering or to move location.

Please note that litre volume listed on our Potsonline website is to be used as a guide only, as the dimension of each product can vary.

Contact our team for more details.