Thursday, May 20, 2010

I want to plant pansies in containers but dont want to fill the pots completely with soil?

What can I use in the pots under the soil to fill in the pot so it wont get so heavy that I cant move them around....

I want to plant pansies in containers but dont want to fill the pots completely with soil?
Put another, smaller pot inside of the pot you want to use, but turn it upside down. A plastic pot would be cheapest and lightest in weight.





The smaller pot will need to be smaller in outside dimension at the top than the inside dimension of the larger pot at the bottom. It will create a lot of empty space inside the bigger pot, saving the weight of the soil in it's place!





Use lightweight potting soil to fill your pot with- NOT TOPSOIL or any of the really cheap potting soils that you can buy at home centers. Spend a few extra $ on a quality potting soil and fertilize. Your plants should be very happy and you should be able to move your pot..
Reply:I wouldn't use any Styrofoam related product like packing peanuts because they can give off toxic gases as they degrade.





A much better choice would be Perlite. It's a natural mineral that has been popped under high temperature (kind of like popcorn) A 4 cu ft bag weighs maybe 8-10 lbs. It's plenty light. Get it at your good L%26amp;G Center.





One cautionary note: We have had customers that have used so much Perlite that the large pots were top-heavy and very easily knocked over by bumping into them or a strong wind. Don't let that happen.
Reply:In our really really big pots I have used empty plastic milk jugs and enclosed them in a garbage bag, then placed them at the bottom. In smaller pots I have used empty soda cans. I put duct tape over the opening using whatever is necessary to fill the bottom. When doing these "lightening" tricks, I also always put some sort of screening cover over the drainage holes to prevent black widows and other undesirables from taking up residence inside the empty vacant spaces.
Reply:I use lots of different things. Big rocks, little rocks, broken pots, pea gravel, glass bottles, marbles. Pretty much anything that will take up space without harming the roots. I've never had any problems. Like someone said...use potting soil, not garden soil.


Have fun.
Reply:I had my boyfriend bring home those packing peanuts and I put them in the bottom of a big flowerpot. So far, it's working great.
Reply:If you are talking about garden soil,you shouldn't put it into a pot. It will compress and dry out and kill your plants.You will need to use potting mix in a pot.There are plenty of good potting mixes on the market.Choose one with fertiliser already in it,and that will be all you need.I work in a nursery.


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