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What pot is needed for growing ficus. flower pots what size do you need

Keep in mind, if you immediately transplant a flower from a small pot into a very large one, this will not benefit him. He may start to get sick and slow down his growth. To find the right size container, insert the old pot into the new one. The size is chosen correctly if there is a very small gap between the walls.

Traditionally, indoor plants are grown in pots made of ceramics, but in stores they also offer containers made of plastic or glass. Let's take a look at all their pros and cons.

What is the best pot to choose for a houseplant?

clay pot- the most ideal home for your green pet. Clay is hygroscopic, that is, it has the ability to pass moisture and air through small pores. As a result, excess water evaporates, the roots breathe, and the flower feels most comfortable.

Optimal gas exchange is provided by the classical proportions of a clay pot: its height is usually equal to the upper diameter, and the area of ​​the bottom is one third less than the area of ​​the upper hole. Among other things, this form provides a timely outflow of moisture and prevents rotting of the roots.

In order not to lose the useful qualities of clay, in no case wrap the pot with paper, film, and do not paint it with oil paint. If you want to add aesthetics to its appearance - just place a pot with a plant in a more spacious planter.

ceramic pots they differ from clay ones in an increased density of the material and the absence of pores, therefore, when transplanting a plant into ceramics, do not forget to take care of a good drainage layer and a hole for draining excess water. As a rule, ceramic dishes are distinguished by a wide variety of shapes, so for some plants (especially for ferns or compositions), flat ceramic bowls can be used. It should be remembered that the glaze covering the ceramics can release substances hazardous to the life of plants into the soil, so the root system should be isolated with a film before planting.

plastic utensils for flowers has a huge variety of shapes and shades. But she has the same trouble as ceramics - the roots in her do not breathe. In addition, plastic is rather short-lived and pathogens often develop on its surface. Therefore, choosing plastic pots, keep in mind that plants will have to be replanted more often than usual, and disinfection will be useful.

And one more thing: plastic is a lightweight material, so it is not recommended to plant large plants with a massive above-ground part in them: the pot can turn over.

Glass in floriculture usually used in the form of spherical aquariums, at the bottom of which tropical flowers are rooted, sensitive to heat and humidity levels. They can make wonderful compositions if you choose the right composition of the soil and "neighbors". How to do this, I will tell in the chapter on the selection of colors. But glass pots are quite rare. Agree, watching the life of the roots through transparent walls is an uninteresting occupation.

Almost all of us have indoor plants. Green pets give us their beauty, improve health and mood, purify the air. But, in order for the flower to look great and please the owner, you need to take care of creating the most better conditions for its content.

Choosing a pot for a home plant is one of the very first and most important steps in home floristry. That is what we will talk about in the article. You will learn how to choose a flower pot and what to pay special attention to when buying a container for a plant. So let's get started.

Pot or planter

For experienced flower growers, the question of how a flower pot and planter differs is quite obvious. But, many novice florists sometimes cannot distinguish one from the other and, as a result, they acquire a thing that is completely unnecessary to them.

The most important difference between a flowerpot and a flower pot is their functional purpose. A pot is a vessel in which a plant is planted. A planter is a decorative container, its main task is to hide an unattractive flower pot.

[!] Translated from French, cache-pot means a hidden pot

It is very easy to distinguish a pot and a planter when buying, despite the fact that at first glance they are exactly the same. The pot has one or more drainage holes at the bottom and a separate drip tray for excess water. A cache-pot is a one-piece vessel without a pallet and holes.

If you need a container specifically for planting a plant, your choice is a flower pot. If your plant is already planted and you just need to decorate an unattractive flower dish, pay attention to the planter.

How to choose a plant pot

So, you have decided that you need a flower pot in order to plant a plant directly into it. We proceed to the choice of a pot.

At first glance, it seems that this is not at all difficult, but after seeing how many options the stores offer, you can easily get confused and purchase a container that is not suitable for your plant. What you need to know when purchasing a flower pot?

When choosing floral utensils, first of all, you need to remember that a flower pot is a home for a plant. That is why, a flower pot should combine both beauty and benefit. Let's talk about the benefits first.

Flower pot dimensions

Dimensions, namely the height and diameter of dishes for a plant, are one of the main criteria when choosing a pot. It's simple: the larger the plant, the more capacity it needs.

For planting young plants, purchase small bowls.

[!] If the sprout is planned to be replanted often in the future, you can use plastic cups

When planting adult flowers, choose pots larger than the previous capacity: mentally add 2-3 cm to the size of the old pot in radius and bottom. The root system of the plant, drainage about 2 cm high and the required amount of substrate should be completely placed in the new container. The universal formula for choosing a flower pot says that the height of the container should be a third or fourth of the total height of the plant.

There is no need to buy flower pots for growth: usually home plants do not like overly spacious containers, and some of them, for example, spathiphyllum, do well and bloom only in cramped conditions.

flower pot shape

It is no secret that the root system of each plant is individual - these are long roots that go deep into the soil (cacti, palm trees, different kinds citrus) and fibrous, located near the surface of the earth, branched roots (geranium, chrysanthemum).

In order for the plant to grow and develop normally, it is necessary to select dishes in strict accordance with the shape of the root:

  • for plants with a long root - tall and narrow containers
  • for plants with a fibrous root - wide and shallow

If there is no way to find the perfect bowl, choose universal option- standard pots (the height and diameter of the upper ring are the same) will be suitable for most plants.

Various shapes of flower pots

materials

Currently, florist shops offer huge selection flower pots from the most various materials: ceramics, plastic, glass, metal. Each of these materials has both pros and cons, which a novice florist may not even be aware of.

Ceramic (clay) flower pots This is a classic that has stood the test of time. Planting plants in clay bowls was first started in ancient Egypt, and then this tradition was picked up in other countries. Clay is an almost ideal material for planting a plant, and clay pots have a number of undoubted advantages:

  • variety of shapes and designs, thanks to the plasticity of clay and different options its processing
  • stability and optimal weight
  • the possibility of evaporation of excess moisture and ensuring the flow of oxygen to the roots of the plant due to the porous structure of the clay

But, despite the obvious advantages, there are some disadvantages of ceramic pots, for example:

  • fragility
  • high price
Ceramic flower pots

Plastic containers for flowers — fashion trend recent years. Store shelves are literally littered with plastic bowls and that's it. large quantity flower growers choose them. What attracts home plant lovers?

  • low price
  • variety of shapes, colors and sizes
  • ease of use and maintenance

The disadvantages of plastic pots include:

  • light weight and instability
  • lack of breathability of the material: the entry of air and the evaporation of water in the substrate is difficult, which can lead to the appearance of root rot

Plastic flower pots

glass pots have not yet received mass distribution, since glass is not the most suitable material for planting plants: it beats easily, like plastic does not let air through. However, due to the transparency of the glass, these pots are well suited for placing orchids and other plants whose roots are involved in the process of photosynthesis.

metal containers for planting plants, an even more exotic option, rarely found in flower shops. Despite the high decorativeness, such flower ware has too many disadvantages: it does not allow air to pass through and retains moisture, certain types of metal easily rust when in contact with water, and in addition, one can note the high cost of these products.


Glass and metal flower containers

How to choose a planter

Above, we have already found out that the plant is not planted directly in the planter, which is why there are no strict criteria when choosing a planter. There are only two parameters worth noting: the dimensions of the planter and the material from which it is made.

Planter sizes depend only on the size of the container in which it is planted home plant. In order to choose suitable planter, before buying, use a ruler to determine the height, diameter of the lower and upper rings of the bowl with a flower, and then add 1-2 cm to these measurements in each measurement. The resulting numbers will be the sizes of the pots you need.

Concerning materials from which the pot is made, then here you can focus on their utilitarian properties and to your taste. So, for example, a plastic planter is light and durable, while a glass or ceramic planter is heavy and fragile.

Flower pots and flowerpots as an interior element

One of the most important factors when choosing flower pots and planters is the compatibility of the design of plant dishes with the design and style of the interior of the room. Such a seemingly trifle - a flower pot, can both decorate your living room, bedroom or kitchen, and vice versa. In order for the container with the plant not to look like an alien object in your interior, follow a few simple rules:

1. Pots or planters with flowers must fully comply with the style of the entire room as a whole. So, for example, a flower pot with a laconic and strict design will fit perfectly into a room decorated in Japanese style, hi-tech style or minimalism. A richly decorated bowl with monograms and reliefs is perfect for classic interior or baroque interior. And bright pots with cheerful drawings will be appropriate in the nursery.

2. In order for the container with the plant to successfully fit into the existing interior, it is necessary to pay attention to its color design. If you want plants to be an accent spot in the interior, choose pots of rich contrasting colors. Alternatively, the color of dishes with plants can overlap with other bright details: sofa cushions, posters, textiles and so on.

In contrast to contrasting compositions, there is a nuance. Reception is suitable in a situation where there is no need to highlight flower dishes. In this case, the color of the plates should match the main interior color, for example, the color of the walls.

3. If plants are arranged in groups or in a row indoors, the dishes in which they are grown must be combined with each other. This rule applies to all flower containers in the same room.

The easiest and safest option, applicable if the plants are the same in size, is to use pots of the same shape and size.

However, if you want variety, some combination is possible. For example, in the case when the plants in the room are of different sizes, pots of different sizes, but of the same color, will look good. You can also place several multi-colored pots of the same shape. At the same time, the palette of flower dishes should organically fit into the palette of the existing interior. Flower pots or planters from one collection are easy to pick up in specialized florist shops or supermarkets.

More complex combinations of shapes and colors require a professional approach and advice from an interior designer.

4. When decorating the interior of a room with plants, one should not forget about non-traditional solutions, such as, for example, hanging or free-standing pots or planters. This option for placing flowers is perfect if there are not enough horizontal surfaces or if you don’t want to litter them too much.

For hanging and freestanding pots, ampelous (climbing and hanging) plants are usually recommended, but, in fact, almost any type of houseplant is perfectly located in containers of this type. Exceptions are, perhaps, only very large and massive specimens (palm trees, ficuses, monstera, zamiokulkas and the like).

5. When choosing a flower pot palette, the color of the plant placed in it must also be taken into account. So, for example, non-flowering plants can be placed in pots of bright colors. And vice versa, bright dishes, the rich shade of which argues with the color of the flower, look inharmonious. In this case, planters of neutral shades will be appropriate, which will perfectly emphasize the beauty. flowering plant: white, gray, beige, terracotta, coffee.

If you still want a riot of colors, keep an eye on the compatibility of the shades of the flower of the plant and the pot. A few examples of unsuccessful, in the opinion of designers, combinations:

  • pale pink flowers and a bright red, yellow or orange pot
  • silver-green or pink-green foliage of delicate color and rich green pot
  • plants with a pronounced pattern on the leaf blade and a green pot

High technologies at the service of florists. Unusual flower pots

As in all areas of our life, progress does not stand still, so in floristry, more and more new materials and technologies are constantly appearing. This is especially true for dishes for houseplants. Original flower pots with additional functions can now be purchased not only in specialized places, but also in supermarkets or small shops. What do inventors offer us?

Pots and planters with automatic watering

Such containers for home plants are very convenient for busy and forgetful people, as well as for those who often leave home. Using automatic watering technology, you can not worry about frequent watering of flowers and only occasionally replenish water in a special tank.

There are several options for pots and planters that use automatic watering technology:

Ceramic pots with automatic watering.

One of the properties of clay - porous structure - is used for flower containers with automatic watering. In the middle of the pot is a reservoir into which water is poured. If the soil dries out, the tank passes enough water for the plant. If the earth is well moistened, water does not enter the soil. This option of automatic watering was developed and implemented by industrial designer from USA Joey Roth.

Plastic pots with automatic watering.

Self-irrigating plastic bowls usually consist of two containers inserted one into the other, while the plant is planted in a smaller (inner container). Between the containers there is a fairly large gap into which water is poured. Through the bottom, water in the required amount enters directly into the soil to the roots of the plant.

Manufacturers of such dishes promise that plants planted in them can not be watered from two weeks to three months. The only drawback is that the automatic watering system works only if the plant is mature and has a voluminous rhizome (if the root of the plant is not developed and is located near the surface of the soil, it will not receive enough moisture, since the water for irrigation comes from below) Young plants must be watered in the traditional way .


Automatic watering technology in flower pots

Florariums, paludariums

Florianas (glass containers for growing plants) and paludariums (large florariums suitable for several groups of plants) are gaining more and more popularity among exotic lovers.

Plants in florariums look very impressive and are a real decoration of the interior. However, there are a few limitations that an experienced florist should be aware of:

1. There are only a small number of house plant species that can grow in a glass container. These are mainly succulents, anubias, some mosses and ferns
2. The glass walls of the florarium multiply the power of sunlight and can cause leaf burns. That is why it is not recommended to place such compositions in direct sunlight.
3. Florariums and paludariums are quite complex systems and require increased care

One of the most spectacular novelties of recent times is interior flower pots with backlight. Typically, such planters are made of matte translucent plastic, between the walls of which there are luminous elements. The power source of the planter is electricity or built-in batteries. Inside the planter, you can place a container with a plant.

Illuminated planters look great both indoors and on open terraces, being at the same time an element of gardening and an additional source of light.

silicone pots


The idea of ​​creating silicone containers for growing flowers came to the mind of a young Italian designer, Emanuele Pizzolorusso, while he was watching the process of collecting garbage in plastic bags. The designer noticed that for the convenience of filling the bags, the workers bend their edges, thus changing the volume of plastic containers. The artist decided to translate this principle into the production of containers for houseplants and created silicone pots that can change size as the plant matures.
Due to the flexibility of the silicone, the rim of the pot can be folded down and the height of the pot can be reduced. When the flower grows, you need to return the edge to its place and the pot will become tall again. Since the silicone used to make the bowls is quite dense, the container keeps its shape perfectly and does not deform.

Symbiosis of plants and interior items

Why use free-standing pots when you can build them into tables, benches, shelves and even wall tiles - this idea has come up with many designers. The result is very interesting and practical pieces of furniture and interior, combining several functions.

Perhaps the only disadvantage of such systems is the difficult planting and care of plants, which is why it is worth choosing only the most unpretentious specimens for planting.

How to make a pot or planter for flowers with your own hands

If you prefer things made by yourself, try your hand at the art of making flower pots and planters.

Making a pot at home is somewhat more difficult than decorating a planter, but it is quite possible, and the result will certainly please you.

Gypsum and concrete pots, made by hand, will become a real decoration of the terrace country house or cottages.

What you need: cement-sand mixture or gypsum, water, two plastic or wooden molds of the same shape, but different volumes

Thoroughly mix gypsum or cement-sand mixture with water, in a ratio of 1:1 (gypsum-water) or 1:3:2 (cement-sand-water) Prepare plastic (wooden) forms - grease the inside of a larger container and the outside with a smaller one , grease or green soap. This step is necessary so that the form can be easily separated from the cement or gypsum in the future. Pour concrete (gypsum solution) into the bottom of a larger container, let it harden a little, then place a smaller container on top and lightly press it down with your hands. Carefully pour the remaining concrete or gypsum into the gap formed between the walls of the molds. Wait for the mixture to harden completely and carefully remove the plastic molds. At the bottom of the resulting pot, drill a few holes for water to drain.

Pots made from vines or brushwood. Weaving from a vine is a real art, sometimes only available to professionals. But an ordinary person can also try his hand at basket weaving, making, for example, a flower pot.
What you need: dry thin twigs (vine), base form, thin wire, burlap, glue
Clean the twigs, remove excess processes. Take the base and, following the shape, braid it in a circle with prepared branches. You can not adhere to a strict pattern, twist the twigs randomly, from time to time fastening them with wire for rigidity. Then remove the form, glue a thick burlap inside the finished product. The resulting container can be used both as a planter and as a pot for orchids.

Coconut pots. These pots are perfect for medium-sized houseplants.

What you need: coconut, hacksaw or grinder, awl or other sharp object

Choose a round coconut if you want a stable shape or an elongated oval if you want to hang the arrangement with the plant. Make holes with an awl in the places of three small depressions on the “butt” of the coconut and remove the liquid. Subsequently, excess water will drain through these holes when watering the plant. Saw off the opposite end of the coconut with a hacksaw, stepping back from the edge about one third. Thoroughly clean the inside of the nut, removing the white edible mass. The pot is ready. If you drill additional holes on the sides of the nut, you can thread a cord through them and hang them.

Vinyl record pots. Original and functional pots are made from old vinyl records.

What you need: Vinyl records, gas or electric stove, string, thick cotton gloves, acrylic paint, plastic primer

Pass a rope through the existing hole in the record, secure it with a knot or a metal nut so that the record hangs freely on the string. Preheat the stove and hold the plate above it for a few minutes at a distance of 20-30 cm. Hold the plate by the rope and use gloves - hot air can burn the skin. After a while, the plate will become soft from exposure to hot air. At this point, you can give the vinyl disc any desired shape, either by hand or by putting it on any frame. After the vinyl has cooled and hardened again, you can paint the resulting pot. acrylic paint. For better adhesion of paint to the plate, you can use primer on plastic.

As you can see, there are many ways to make a flower pot with your own hands, you just need to show a little imagination. Well, in the next article we will talk about decorating plant pots.

Even the most luxurious plant placed in a nondescript pot will lose its appearance. After all, flower houses are an important element in decorating both the living space and the flower itself.

And if the pot is not properly matched to this species vegetation, it will get sick or even die. Therefore, florists pay great attention not only to appearance, but also the shape and material of the future habitat of the plant.

flower pot shape

When choosing the shape of a container for planting a flower, it is advisable to stop at the classic round shape without edges bent inward. It is easier and less traumatic to transplant the plant.

If there are difficulties in combining the shape, color and favorable conditions for a flower in a pot, then use a planter (from French - “hidden pot”). Presented on the floristry market the widest selection these versatile decor items. Therefore, a flower can grow in an unpresentable, but comfortable container for it, which will be closed by the original planter.

The container must have a pallet. Otherwise, on the surface where the pot stands, stains and stains from the flowing water are formed.

Depending on the characteristics of the roots, it is selected flower house. For example, cacti and many citrus fruits have long, but not branched roots. Therefore, the pot should be narrow, but deep.

And for begonias and chrysanthemums, geraniums with short fibrous roots, the container should not be deep, but wide.

Pot dimensions

The main criteria in choosing a flower container are height and depth. The pot should fit 1/4 of the drainage, 1/4 of the substrate and 2/4 of the soil. The root system in it should be fully developed.

IMPORTANT! When transplanting a plant, pay attention to how much it filled the old pot. If she filled the container completely, then the new pot should be 2–3 cm wider in diameter.

Adult healthy flowers are rarely transplanted, and this is dictated by the increase in its living space. And if in your plans to plant a large plant, dividing it into several small ones, then select the pots accordingly for the kids.

Carefully study the preferences of plants! Some of them, such as anthurium, live well in close quarters. And in general, most plants prefer medium containers.

IMPORTANT! Florists with experience advise not to spend money on high-budget containers when planting "kids" and shoots. It is not known how they will survive. Therefore, you should use small plastic cups or egg cartons.

To make the plant happy, and not bring unnecessary trouble, follow the generally accepted rules! For example, the more luxurious the crown of the flower, the wider the diameter of the container should be. A proportionally ideal container will be one where the diameter is 2/3 of the height of the plant.

The following rule is based on the flower's water requirements. For moisture-loving green friends, choose a taller pot. And if vice versa, then the pot should be wider and lower. In this case, the substrate will dry well.

And one more rule! The pot must be stable, regardless of whether it is on the surface, or fixed at a height. "The tops should not outweigh the roots." The height of the container should correspond to approximately 1/3 of the height of the plant.

IMPORTANT! Designers - florists strongly recommend:

  1. Firstly, a pot or planter should harmoniously fit into the interior.
  2. Secondly, for a luxurious plant, you need a simple pot so as not to overdo it with “beauty”. The gaze should focus on one thing.
  3. Thirdly, if the flower is modest, dilute the overall look with an interesting, intricate pot (in color or design).

Pot Materials

Today there are a large number of containers for flowers made from different materials. From antique earthenware and ceramic to cutting-edge silicone designs. Which pots are best to place flowers in, and which ones are best avoided by replenishing design solutions various pots.

ceramic pots

From time immemorial, plants have been planted in pots of baked clay. Made from natural material, porous, and therefore "breathable", they are ideal for the life of the plant family members.

And today they are popular among flower growers. Thanks to various technologies clay processing, picking up a spectacular ceramic container is not difficult. Just make sure that it is covered with glaze from the inside (this will save the soil, and hence the plant, from getting chemicals from the outside).

Now the trend is handmade pots, decorated with stucco and hand-painted.

The pots are quite heavy, which means they are stable. They provide an influx of oxygen to the roots and evaporate excess moisture due to the porous structure.

The disadvantages include:

  1. The price category of this type. Natural materials are expensive, and if you add more and manual work, then the cost will increase accordingly.
  2. The container can not be installed on all surfaces (due to the total weight).
  3. Caution is needed in handling the pots, they break when they fall.

Plastic pots

Financially economical. Diverse in shape and size. Presented in a wide range of colors. Perfect option for flower growers who grow a large number of plants.

They can be hung, they can be put in a row even on a plastic window sill.

With them, it is enough just to transplant flowers, without fear of damaging the container. After the previous resident, the container can simply be washed well with soap and water.

Variety of sizes suitable for all kinds of plants.

But the use of these containers also has its drawbacks:

  1. Due to their lightness, they are not very stable (an additional weighting agent is required in the form of drainage).
  2. In plastic containers, evaporation occurs only from the surface, since the material "does not breathe" (additional drainage holes are required).

Glass containers

Glass containers look very stylish. Free spaces are filled with colored gel, sand, pebbles, beads, creating an original pattern.

They are also ideal for plants like orchids whose root systems need sunlight!

If you decide to breed indoor plants or there was a need to transplant plants - you will need a new flower pot.

Let's take a closer look: how to choose the right flower pot, what material is better, with or without a drainage hole, what is a planter and why they are needed.

So you have purchased a houseplant or just the plants have grown up and it has become cramped in an old pot, you need to transplant. Especially purchased indoor flowers are often sold in shipping containers, transplanting into a new pot just needed.

Flower pot sizes

Decide on the selection of the size of the flower pot. If the plants are tall and mature with massive leaves, they will need big pot(for example monstera, ficus, klerodendrum).

Plants such as violets, gloxinia, pelargonium and the like are better suited small flower pots.

Pay attention to the diameter and height of the pot. The height of the flower pot should be at least 1/3 of the height the plant itself.

The diameter of the pot is selected as follows: the wider the crown of the plant, the wider the diameter of the flower pot. For plants with a height of 30 cm or more, a pot with a diameter of 20 cm or more is suitable. The ideal proportions of the pot are obtained when when the diameter is 2/3 of its height.

When you choose a pot for very tall plants, such as common myrtle, pay attention to the diameter of the base, it should be at least 1/3 of the height of the plant.

Plants feel especially comfortable in clay and ceramic pots. One of the disadvantages of such a pot is fragility. It may break if dropped, so be careful. When reusing such pots, they must be disinfected.

For large plants standing on the floor, buy a plastic pot, it is much lighter than ceramic and it will be easier to move the plant.

The most practical and relatively cheap. Today in stores there is a huge selection of plastic flower pots.

Video - Flower pots

If you have to transplant with dividing the bush of the plant, you will need several small pots.

When transplanting adult plants, choose a pot 1.5-2 cm larger than the old pot. When transplanting plants, a new earth mixture is partially added.

When transplanting a young plant that continues to grow, you will need a pot 3 cm larger than the previous one.

When transplanting fast-growing or large plants, and when the next transplant occurs in 2-3 years, pick up a pot 4 cm bigger than the old one.

If you have old flower pots in stock and you want to use them, then they must be disinfected, then dried. Chlorine-containing agents are suitable for disinfection.

Flower pots for growing plants must be with drainage holes to drain excess water.

But there are pots that serve as decorative pots, without drainage holes. The main disadvantage of planters is the accumulation of excess water at the bottom after watering, which leads to rotting of the roots, the development of various diseases.

If you purchased a pot without a hole, using a drill you can carefully drill it. In a pot for every 10 cm 2 volume, there should be one hole.

Such pots perform a decorative function. Cache-pots are made from various materials: ceramics, plastic, wood.

Often flower pots with plants are placed in a cache-pot. Planters give an interesting aesthetic appearance to the interior, but excess water must be drained every time after watering.

Moss can be placed between the walls of the cache-pot and the pot, which will absorb excess water after watering, gradually evaporating moisture. If you will use pots, as a way to increase humidity, you need to choose a size 3-4 cm wider than the pot that will stand inside.

When choosing pots for cacti, it is worth remembering that these plants do not tolerate stagnant fluid. Therefore, the answer to the question of which pots to plant cacti in, suggests itself - in those in which the root system will be warm and dry. Flower pots for cacti should have good drainage capabilities and retain the accumulated thermal energy during the night period. These consumer qualities have ceramic containers with thick clay walls. If necessary, you can use plastic pots for succulents, but you need to ensure that they are constantly in a warm place. For example, provide for the location of plants on the windowsill, under which the battery passes central heating. Or put it on a sunny window during the day, covering the green part of the plant from direct ultraviolet rays.

Look at the proposed photos of cacti in a pot - they are well illustrated with all the described principles for choosing dishes:

Choosing pots for cacti

Plant utensils, commonly referred to as "flower pots", are of great importance for the growth of cacti, as they determine the volumes of soil mixture available to plants, and with it the amount of nutrients and water.

Florists and flower shops sell cacti most often in very small pots, as they take up less space and are cheaper. This applies, first of all, to miniature clay pots with spectacular looking “mini-cacti”. However, for further cultivation of plants, these small pots for cacti are completely unsuitable, because they cannot provide them with a sufficiently large living space and conditions for growth.

In the sun, a small pot heats up very quickly, and when the sun hides, it cools rapidly. In heat, the soil dries out very quickly, so that the plant is constantly between two unfavorable poles: “very damp” (immediately after watering) and “very dry”.

And since cacti are extremely hardy plants, they do not immediately show that they can hardly endure such conditions.

In other words, the satisfactory cultivation of cacti in these small commercial potted plants is in perspective long term impossible. Gardeners in these pots. Very often they are grown in large beds in greenhouses and transplanted into mini-pots only for sale, or small clay pots with plants planted in them are dug into large tabletop peat boxes or beds in optimally adjusted greenhouse climate conditions, that is, they have more living space with even climatic conditions. Therefore, we choose more suitable containers for growing succulents.

In what size pot to plant a cactus for active growth

The size of the cactus pot is of paramount importance, so after buying new cacti, the amateur cactus grower most often needs to immediately plants from small pots into a more spacious dish that is suitable for their further cultivation. There is no single answer to the question of what size the pot should be. In which pot, each grower decides individually, depending on the choice of pots.

A new pot should provide the plant with the opportunity for normal active growth and development within one to two years, and after a certain time, the earthen clod in it should be completely penetrated by roots.

On the other hand, it is also wrong to plant a small plant in a very large pot. Otherwise, in the substrate, where the roots do not braid the entire earthen lump for a long time, unpleasant decay processes may begin. Therefore, very small plants are best planted several together in a larger pot or bowl.

Planters for cacti and succulents

When growing a culture, clay pots for cacti, traditional dishes for all indoor plants, have both their advantages and disadvantages. Them characteristic feature is a certain evaporation of moisture through the porous walls, and the more, the drier the surrounding air and the more sunlight and heat in the place where they stand.

Thus, the soil in the pot dries out much faster than would be expected based on the plant's water requirements. On the one hand, the evaporation of water through the walls of the pot leads to a certain cooling of the earthen clod.

On the other hand, all the salts dissolved in water during evaporation form an ever-increasing layer of white coating on the walls of the pot. Especially strong limescale is formed in regions with very hard water, when watering which the soil in clay pots, eventually, is alkalized. And since almost all cacti prefer slightly acidic soil mixtures, their root system gradually dies off, which leads the plant to death.

However, along with these shortcomings, clay planters have their own advantages. Firstly, ceramic pots for succulents retain their shape better; when choosing large dishes - this circumstance is often a decisive argument in their favor compared to plastic or plastic pots.

In addition, due to their own weight, they are more stable, which is especially valuable when growing tall cacti or species with drooping shoots. Sometimes a strong evaporation of water can also be an advantage: namely, when the plant is watered abundantly at the wrong time.

As a result of the rapid evaporation of moisture through the porous walls of the pot, the soil dries out faster. avoid education limescale on the walls clay pots it is possible if soft or artificially softened (distilled) water is used for irrigation. It is possible to completely eliminate the evaporation of water through the walls of the pot by painting it from the inside with waterproof paint (for example, a special paint used to paint the inner walls of containers with drinking water).

There are clay pots for succulents in a wide variety of shapes, although small flower shops usually sell ordinary round ones. For many cacti, especially for species that form whole clumps, low, flat pots are more suitable.

Plastic pots for succulents, often referred to as plastic in everyday life, also have both their advantages and disadvantages when cultivating cacti. Firstly, plastic pots of the most varied quality are commercially available.

An amateur cactus grower should choose for his plants not disposable plastic pots, which, due to their low price, are preferred by floricultural farms, but better dishes. These pots come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. There are round, low and wide pots that are especially well suited for growing clump-forming cacti; very tall flowerware is more suitable for plants with a long turnip main root. From plastic, both ordinary round pots and square-shaped pots, which are especially popular with owners of greenhouses and greenhouses, are produced.

Plastic pots are cheap, light, and easy to stack. Thanks to the smooth walls, they can be washed well and thus prepared for reuse. Due to the fact that the walls of the plastic pot do not allow moisture to pass through, the plants need to be watered less frequently.

Indeed, this is an advantage inexperienced amateurs often turns into a disadvantage. Plants in plastic pots need about 1/3 of the water that plants in earthenware consume.

Therefore, there is a danger of waterlogging of cacti in plastic pots. In addition, even when the surface of the soil is dry in the plastic pot, the substrate may still be damp at the bottom of the pot.

However, cacti require another watering only when the substrate dries sufficiently; as mentioned above, they absolutely cannot tolerate the constant dampness of the soil. Over time, plastic pots also age, become brittle and break easily. And this primarily applies to the cultivation of cacti, since it is in this case that a characteristic feature is strong solar radiation and relatively high temperatures.

As a generalization, when growing cacti in separate pots for smaller plants, plastic utensils have certain advantages. In small clay pots standing, for example, on the windowsill, it is difficult to maintain the humidity and temperature of the soil at the right level, since the pots heat up very quickly, and the substrate in them dries up completely. In such cases, it is better to use plastic utensils.

On the other hand, large cacti need large pots. However, in this case, a larger volume of soil provides a more uniform temperature and moisture of the substrate also when using clay pots.

In addition, when using large-sized dishes, durable clay pots have advantages over plastic pots that easily bend and break (for example, when lifting a plant carelessly). In addition, if a plant in a large plastic pot is watered too heavily, that is, it can take a very long time for the soil to dry out again, and meanwhile a fungal infection can spread in the soil and infect the plant through the roots.

See what succulents look like in pots - the photo shows different variants containers made of ceramics and plastics:

Square pots and bowls for cacti

Taking into account all the disadvantages that cultivation of cacti in small clay pots brings with it, with their poorly tolerated plants, drastically changing conditions, you very soon come to the conclusion whether it is not necessary to plant many plants at once in large cactus bowls, thereby creating for them more free living space. Indeed, amateurs who grow their plants in rooms are increasingly finding very attractive and well-growing landscape compositions of cacti in bowls or low flower boxes. And, on the contrary, cacti growers. those who have a greenhouse or conservatory in which they can create favorable conditions for the growth of cacti prefer to grow their plants in separate pots - if they do not plant their large cacti directly into the soil.

If an amateur has a desire to try in a bowl, then first you need to choose the right dishes for this. Flower shops often offer arrangements from bowls.

This in itself is not objectionable if the bowl has drainage holes to drain excess watering water - and if the amateur is not tempted by the round shape to the point of placing the bowl in the middle of the table in the room. Because it's definitely too dark for cacti.

For closed flower windows, depending on their design, amateurs have at their disposal special square cactus pots of various sizes, and for growing on a windowsill, on the contrary, it is necessary to give preference to flower dishes in the form of balcony flower boxes. Eternite boxes, which are produced today from asbestos-free materials, are best suited for cultivating cacti on an external windowsill.

If you intend to grow cacti in a room, it is best to choose more attractive plant boxes, such as plastic ones. In any case, the flower box should have drainage holes at the bottom through which excess watering water can drain.

On an outside window sill this dripping water may not be a problem, but in a room the flower box should be placed on a galvanized steel or plastic tray. Since a pallet of the right size is often very difficult to find, it is necessary to buy a flower box together with the pallet from the very beginning.

Further, in such boxes it is necessary to plant only approximately equally growing, strong cacti that require similar conditions. A particularly well-growing species should not be allowed to grow rapidly and suppress with its growth a rare specimen that grows slowly in the neighborhood.

This overgrowth can also take place in the soil, where the roots of the fast growing species increasingly restrict the living space of the slower growing species, causing the plant to wither.

In addition, "white" looking species that require bright sunlight and plenty of heat should never be planted next to the less thorny green species, which, although they prefer a lot of light, need protection from direct sunlight during the midday hours. And since in the general substrate of any flower box all root pests living in the soil can freely spread

However, it is possible to combine the advantages of growing plants in individual pots with the advantages of growing in large containers, if cacti growing in clay pots are placed in a flower box and the free space is filled with a mixture of sand and peat.

Then, thanks to the porous walls of the clay pots, moisture leveling occurs through the filler substrate, and the soil in them does not dry out too quickly. In addition, with such cultivation of those species that in winter time prefer not completely dry conditions, with a light dampening of only the box filler substrate, the soil in the pots can be kept lightly moistened. If individual cacti grown in plastic pots are placed together in a bowl, then this will not give great advantages in culture, since in this case moisture exchange does not occur through the walls of the pots.

Nevertheless, thanks to this, a certain leveling of the temperature of the soil in the pots is still achieved, and the cacti collected in one bowl are easier to carry, for example, when it is necessary to open a window.

If individual square cactus pots are collected in one flower box, then later you can easily take out a particularly overgrown plant and transplant it into a larger pot. Several well placed in a bowl decorative stones will allow you to mask the edges of the pots protruding on the surface of the filler substrate and create an attractive landscape with cacti.