Your Garden Questions Answered – Pot Plant Rescue
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Episode: 20 (8 September 2007)
Have you got a potted plant at home or perhaps in the office that looks sick? How do you go about bringing something that looks so sad back from the inevitable brink? Well, it is easy once you follow a few simple steps.
The first thing that is always good to do is take a good look at the root-ball because the root-ball tells all. Just support the plant between your fingers and ease the pot off. You will now be able to see if the root ball is overcrowded. If it is not overcrowded it will not need re-potting. But have a look and see how dry the mix is.
You have to be careful how dry it gets. Water may not penetrate if the mix has become so dry, as the particles will form a kind of waxy coating which is repelling the moisture rather than absorbing it. So no matter how much water you pour on it will just keep running down the side of the pot. So the plants never stand a chance.
Wetting agents will work to stop the soil drying out. What they do is break down that waxy coating on the particles so that it can absorb moisture once again. Once applied, the wetting agents will allow the soil to become saturated again.
Pot plants that have become to dry will often require a good feed. People tend to forget that unlike soil your basic potting mix contains no nutrient. You can buy mixes with nutrients added but they run out and we have to add some more. Slow release fertilisers are by far the best way to go. They give the plant a light measured feed every time you water but just remember to top up again in a few months.
If your plants are really starved hit them with a liquid fertiliser as well. It is food in a liquid form so it is fast acting and we will see the result in just a few days. Follow up once a week for a few weeks just to get them back on track and give them another kick whenever they look like they need a boost.
Do not forget your plants will need a good clean up.
Now is a really good time to give all your potted plants the once over; a bit of a snip where needed, a little wetting agent and a good feed. Follow those steps and even your roughest potted plants will start springing back to life.
info@botanix.com.au
www.botanix.com.au
07 38221111
Botanix Lifestyle Garden Centre Nelson Rd
WELLINGTON POINT QLD 4160
Waterwise Concentrate Soil Wetter
Dynamic Lifter Concentrated Plant Food
Episode: 20 (8 September 2007)
Have you got a potted plant at home or perhaps in the office that looks sick? How do you go about bringing something that looks so sad back from the inevitable brink? Well, it is easy once you follow a few simple steps.
The first thing that is always good to do is take a good look at the root-ball because the root-ball tells all. Just support the plant between your fingers and ease the pot off. You will now be able to see if the root ball is overcrowded. If it is not overcrowded it will not need re-potting. But have a look and see how dry the mix is.
You have to be careful how dry it gets. Water may not penetrate if the mix has become so dry, as the particles will form a kind of waxy coating which is repelling the moisture rather than absorbing it. So no matter how much water you pour on it will just keep running down the side of the pot. So the plants never stand a chance.
Wetting agents will work to stop the soil drying out. What they do is break down that waxy coating on the particles so that it can absorb moisture once again. Once applied, the wetting agents will allow the soil to become saturated again.
Pot plants that have become to dry will often require a good feed. People tend to forget that unlike soil your basic potting mix contains no nutrient. You can buy mixes with nutrients added but they run out and we have to add some more. Slow release fertilisers are by far the best way to go. They give the plant a light measured feed every time you water but just remember to top up again in a few months.
If your plants are really starved hit them with a liquid fertiliser as well. It is food in a liquid form so it is fast acting and we will see the result in just a few days. Follow up once a week for a few weeks just to get them back on track and give them another kick whenever they look like they need a boost.
Do not forget your plants will need a good clean up.
Now is a really good time to give all your potted plants the once over; a bit of a snip where needed, a little wetting agent and a good feed. Follow those steps and even your roughest potted plants will start springing back to life.
info@botanix.com.au
www.botanix.com.au
07 38221111
Botanix Lifestyle Garden Centre Nelson Rd
WELLINGTON POINT QLD 4160
Waterwise Concentrate Soil Wetter
- For use on garden beds and potted plants.
- Contains a combination of fast acting wetting agents and soil conditioners that improve moisture penetration or water repellent soils and aid soil structure.
- Includes trace elements for added vitality and healthier plants.
- Includes seaweed with is a natural plant growth promoter.
- Easy to use
Dynamic Lifter Concentrated Plant Food
- Dynamic Lifter Concentrate Organic Plant Food is ideal for fertilising all garden and potted indoor and outdoor plants, including roses, fruit trees, indoor plants and lawns. This product is derived from many of the same materials as pelletised Dynamic Lifter, and provides a quick, easy and convenient way for all gardeners to reap the benefits of organic gardening.
- Organic ingredients which release nutrients slowly, and fast acting nutrients for fast visible results.
- 500mL bottle makes up 100 litres when mixed with water.
- Added Yates Blood and Bone, fish emulsion and seaweed organically enrich and improve the soil.
- Promotes healthy growth for all indoor and outdoor plants, fruit trees, bulbs, annuals etc.
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