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One of the most important details to determine when you’re welcoming new plants into your home or changing the containers of established ones is to what extent the picked spot interferes with the plant’s growth. Some plant keepers, especially those new to the gardening stage, may also wonder whether the selected pot impacts the plant’s development.
If you’re part of the second category, you should start your gardening journey knowing that the container in which your green pals grow is essential for their growth. There’s no way around it.
In this article, we will answer all the common questions regarding the effect that the choice of pot has on the plant.
What’s the Difference Between Pots and Planters?
One of the most essential aspects of gardening is choosing the flower, the container, and the space where you’ll welcome your new additions. Plant keepers and people who have yet to become familiar with plant maintenance frequently confuse planters and pots. Pots are usually designed to hold a single plant, come round-shaped, and are smaller than planters. On the other hand, if you place your veggies, flowers, or fruits outside, the right storage option is outdoor planters. These welcome more than one plant, come in irregular sizes, and are meant to be kept outdoors. Plus, having drainage holes in planters gives you peace of mind knowing the excess water has the necessary space to “drain” out, preventing the roots from excessive moisture and consequential rot.
Do Bigger Pots Mean Bigger Plants?
Most of the time, plant size and pot size are correlated. First, the size of the container is critical for the roots’ health and expansion rate. Second, it determines whether the roots are set to rot or dry. Larger pots allow roots more space to grow and store nutrients for the greeneries. As a rule of thumb, larger pots and planters enable the preservation of more water and nutrients, ultimately helping the green friends thrive beautifully and expand in size.
However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to this aspect, with several expectations to be stated.
First, the development of the plant depends on several factors, like the nutrients taken, the air, light, and temperature. If the last three requirements are fulfilled, attention moves towards the nutrients provided. Some plant owners may use water with liquid fertilizers, whereas others may opt for solid fertilizers. Regardless of your technique, how large and healthy plants grow ultimately depends on the water and nutrients provided. Roots only expand to get more nutrients.
How Much Does the Potting Material Matter?
At a quick glance on the internet, you’ll see different sizes, forms, shapes, and materials in planters. You can browse through the large container selection at elho and gain plenty of inspiration and helpful details to decide what pot you should get for your plants. However, just like container size matters, its material type shouldn’t be overlooked. The type of material chosen depends on the plant you will plant.
Recycled plastic pots, for instance, are durable and pass the test of time, making them a lovely decorative item for your home or garden.
What Happens when The Container’s Size Is Wrong?
If the pot isn’t large enough, the roots can cramp, entering a stage known as rootbound, impeding the plant from growing and potentially destroying the plant.
On the other hand, a too-large container can harm the plant’s health because the soil may preserve more water than needed, eventually leading to rotted roots, ruining the plant. In a too-large
Most plants need to be moved throughout the seasons, depending on how well they take the cold and how much sunlight they require. Going with uselessly large or heavy planters may make it more challenging to move them around.
What Are the Signs that A Pot Is Too Small?
Say you’ve got past the initial phase where you take your freshly-purchased pot from their plastic grow pot and move it into their new beautiful pots. Knowing when it’s time to repot it will be the natural course of action, so how do you know when they’re asking for a home switch?
Several signs must be addressed after some time has passed since they were welcomed into your home.
- The roots extend out of the pot. Containers with drainage holes leave enough room for the plant to spread its roots outside, so when you see them extending from the bottom of the pot, you know it’s time to introduce them to new ones.
- The plant retains more moisture. If your plant is fine being hydrated once a week and suddenly, you need to water them more often, then it’s a sign of root overdevelopment, calling for a larger pot.
- The plant isn’t growing the way it should. The culprit behind a plant’s underdevelopment is often linked to the pot they’re planted in. As such, if it doesn’t mature as expected, it may mean it has outgrown its space.
Should Containers Have Drainage?
The many flowerpots and planters out there can make choosing the right one feel daunting. However, considering you know what your plants need, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Starting with the drainage hole in the bottom of the container is necessary, as having a hole where the excess water can drain out is critical for the well-being of the root and soil. Furthermore, fertilizers and water have salts that aren’t plant-friendly, for which a drainage system helps eliminate any potential buildup. If no holes are featured, the salt will keep accumulating, creating an unhealthy environment for your green friends. Therefore, if the chosen pot lacks a hole, you’ll want to drill one yourself.
Summing up
Not only do the size, material, and type of container matter for your plant’s growth. Some signs tell when the pots and planters must be changed in order to prevent the plant’s roots from crowding.
Ensure you’re providing suitable pots for your plants; you’ll see their gratitude when they grow strong and healthy.
