How Not To Kill Plants In Containers

How Not To Kill Plants In Containers, 13 Most Important Things To Know

Do you kill your plants often? Well here’re 13 things you must avoid to make your container plants keep growing.

1. Overwatering

Many new gardener believes that the more they water the better. All plants (including non-potted plants) have the different watering needs and *those needs may also vary depending upon the time of the year or season, the amount of light and ambient temperature. The easiest solution to avoid this problem is knowing the moisture level required by each plant.

The majority of plants (except moisture loving plants) loves when the top surface of the substrate dries out between the watering spells, others require the soil to be kept slightly moist. A good method is to usually poke your finger into the soil about an inch deep and feel if it is wet or rather dry.

2. Underwatering

It is equally harmful to the plants. Back to the same point, it is essential to know the moisture requirements of each plant to keep them healthy. Also, it is obvious, in summer all the plants require more water and you should double the amount of water. When you water your plants, do it thoroughly, so that the entire substrate moisten well and the slight amount of water seeps out from the bottom holes of the pots and then wait for it to dry (with the method of poking your finger) and then water again.

3. You do not know everything about the plant

No two plants are identical. The number one thing you should do is read the instructions that come with the plant you have acquired. Always, when you purchase plants in the nursery ask them about the growing requirements. Whenever you get a new plant search about it thoroughly on the web. There are many gardening websites (ours too) and blogs of enthusiastic gardeners who have excellent information about plants.

4. Too little or too much sunlight

Yo might be wrong if you think all plants love the sun, there are some that require shade or part shade. According to experts, the plants themselves can tell us if they are getting the right amount of light or not. For example, the leaves may change color or become scorched or brownish if they are getting too much sunlight. On the other hand, if you notice that your plant is “stretching its neck” toward the light or the leaves are excessively bigger then they definitely need more light. One thing to be noted is that when the warm climate plants are grown in colder zones (whether they are grown there in full or part sun) they require full sun. Similarly, the temperate plants in warm tropics grow best in part sun or shade.

5. Moving or changing position of plants

Plants get used to the place they are placed on and do not like being moved constanly. If one of your plants is thriving correctly under certain temperatures and conditions, avoid moving it to another place as it could make difficult for the plant to adapt to its new place.

6. Incorrect soil

Each plant species has different planting needs and soil requirements. It is recommended that you do proper research about the soil type before planting any plant. However, in containers, well-draining soil is used to avoid root rot. You can make your own light and crumbly soilless mix or buy an organic potting mix of good quality.

7. No transplanting

Potted plants may feel “subjected” to their containers. The majority of them outgrow their pots over a period of about one to two years (depending on how quickly they grow), so it is important that you transplant them into a larger container with fresh and well-nourished potting soil. You can prune the roots of your plants if you don’t want to change their existing pot.

One of the signs to know when to transplant is when the leaves turn yellow, the plant stops growing or seems thirsty and requires water again and again. Even in some cases, you can see that the roots are coming out from the drainage holes.

8. Ignoring the pests

Some of the most common pests that can affect your potted plants are aphids, spider mites, scales, whiteflies and mealybugs. You can prevent pests from attacking your container garden with some techniques. Whenever you buy a new plant scrutinize it to see any sign of pests or diseases. Keep an eye on diseased or weak plants or the ones that are in stress; pests prefer to attack such plants. Look at the inside of leaves and tips of the plants, these are the parts that pests infest most. If pests are already damaging your plants, first identify what type of pests they are and then treat them appropriately, prefer organic pesticides.

9. Carelessness

Are you going on a vacation? It is good for you but not for your potted plants. Be sure to make arrangements for them. Ask someone to come and water the plants when you are away. Another option is to use self-watering containers, they are great especially if you’re a busy person and often forget about watering your plants.

10. Less or no fertilizer

Potted plants depend on soil nutrients and can often require supplements to grow better and healthy besides improving the production of flowers and fruits. Using a balanced fertilizer (easily available) regularly and according to the package instructions, you can ensure that your plants are getting all the nutrients they need. While most of your plants do well with balanced fertilizer, there may be some that require specific combination of nutrients.

11. Overfertilization

Overfertilization can also harm your plants. It can even kill them. Fertilizers when used in excess can damage the roots. If you see the symptoms like yellowing and wilting of lower leaves, browning leaf tips and its margins, defoliation, slow or no growth then it is possible that your plant is suffering from overfertilization.

12. No pinching, deadheading, and pruning

If you want bushier growth, pinch the tips of young plants. Also, many flowering plants require “deadheading”, which means picking and removing the old flowers to promote new ones. You will know when to remove them once the flowers start to fade or wilt or turn brownish.

Potted plants require pruning too and on time, some of the fruits and flowering plants produce only on new branches, so if you must not ignore pruning.

13. Exposing to extreme temperatures

If you research carefully about the plants you’ll find how much temperature (maximum or minimum) they tolerate best. In winters, if require, it is good if you protect such plants by keeping them indoors or in a greenhouse.

If you’re living in a warm climate where summers are hot, protect your plants from the intense sun in summer.