Pot Plants or Container Garden

Potgardeningor container gardening is the practice of growing plants,

including edible plants, exclusively in containers instead of planting them in the
ground. A container in gardening is a small, enclosed and usually portable object
used for displaying live flowers or plants. It may take the form of a pot, box, tub,
pot basket, tin, barrel or hanging basket.
Advantages: Many types of plants are suitable for the container, including
decorative flowers, herbs, cacti, vegetables and small trees. There are many
advantages to growing plants in containers, namely:
 Less risk of soil-borne disease
 Virtually eliminate weed problems
 Mobile plants give more control over moisture, sunlight and temperature.
Methods: Pots, traditionally made of terracotta but now more commonly plastic
and window boxes have been the most commonly seen. Small pots are commonly
called flower pots. Pots are now often also made from metal, wood, stone or
sometimes biodegradable material. An example of biodegradable pots are ones
made of heavy brown paper, cardboard, or peat moss in which young plants
for transplanting are grown.There are often holes in the bottom of pots, to allow
excess water to drain out,sometimes a saucer is placed under the flowerpot. The
plants can use this water with its roots, as needed. Recently, some flowerpots have
been made with an automatic watering system, using a reservoir.
Potting method is also useful in areas where the soil or climate is unsuitable
for the plant or crop in question. Using a container/pot is also generally necessary
for house plants. Limited growing space or growing space that is paved over, can
also make this option appealing to the gardener. Additionally, this method is
popular for urban horticulture on balconies of apartments where gardeners lack the
access to the ground for a traditional garden.
Planting: Containers range from simple plastic pots, teacups to complex
automatic-watering irrigation systems. This flexibility in design is another reason
for popularity ofcontainer gardening with growers. They can be found on porches,
front steps, and in urban locations, on rooftops. Sub-irrigated planters (SIP) are
type of containers that may be used in container gardens. Potting material must be
loose and allow drainage to offer proper aeration for roots to breathe,
preventing root rot.
Re-potting: Re-potting is the action of placing an already potted plant into a larger
or similar sized pot in which the plant was growing. A pot that fits a plant's root
system better is normally used. Plants are usually re-potted according to the size of
their root system. Most plants need to be re-potted every few years because they
become "pot-bound" or "root-bound". Plants' roots can sense its surroundings,
including the size of the pot it is in, and increasing the pot size allows plant size to
increase proportionally.
Plants suitable for pot culture

1. Climbing and trailing foliage plants: The climbing and trailing plants will
need support for growing. Moss sticks called moss polesare made
bysphagnum moss all around can be used to support the climbers and
trailers. The supporting plants are Monestera, Philodendron, Hedera, having
aerial roots may be staked/supported by such poles. One pole is sufficient for
a plant. Suitable climbers areFicus pumila, Ficus radicans, Asparagus,
various species of Philodendron,Pothos, Syngonium,etc.
2. Bushy and upright foliage plants: Generally, plants of this group possess
beautiful foliage and are suitable for display both as individual specimen and
in arrangements. Some important plants are: Aralia, Araucariaexcelsa,
Begoniarex, Caladiums in different colours, Calathea, Crotons in different
colours, Cyprusalternifolius var. variegatus (commonly called umbrella
plant or umbrella palm), Dieffenbachia exotica, D. picta, various types of
Dracaena, Ficus benjamina, Fatsia japonica, Grevillea robusta, Monstera,
various species of Philodendron, Pilea muscosa, Sansevieria, etc.
3. Flowering pot plants: Different flowering pot plants are Azalia indica,
tuberous rooted Begonias, Chrysanthemum, Cineraria, Pelargonium, etc.
4. Bulbous plants: Most of the annualbulbous plants are suitable for pot
culture and important are: Narcissus, Crocus, Tulipa. Among perennials
Amaryllis grow well in pots.
5. Ferns and palms: Fern: Adiantum, Asplenium, Nephrolepis, Platycerium,
Pteris; Palm:Phoenix, Rhapisetc.
6. Cacti and Succulents:Cacti:
Aporocactus,Astrophytum,;Succulents:Aeonium, Agave, Aloe, Cotyledon,
different types of Euphorbias, Sedum etc.
Apart from these plants some miniature roses are also grown
Planting techniques, practices and care of house plants
1. Use clean pots: Clean the pot and dip in water for aa hour. If old pots are there, scrap
and put fungicide and insecticide for 30 minutes.
2. Use clean crocks:They are used at drainage holes and should be cleaned.
3. Use suitable soil mixture:It is different for different plants.Potting soil mixture
should not be quite dry.
4. Pot firmly: Press the soil firmly after planting.
5. Keep space at the top for watering:On the upper surface, there should be 2-3 cm
area left for watering.
6. Avoid too deep planting.
7. Keep the pot in the shade after planting:It is just to bring it in proper condition and
to tolerate extreme temperature or from adverse climatic conditions for 5-6days.
8. Feed the plant by top dressing or liquid manuring.
9. Prune the plants before repotting to get new growth
10. Moist the soil before repotting:Watering should be done 2-3hours before repotting.
11. Adopt repotting carefully: First take the plant to keep it out from original
containers. From this lift the plant by one hand, spread the palm over the top of the
soil, hold stem and soil with fingers, then invert the pot. Give a press on the rim of the
inverted pot against any solid base, if necessary. Afterwards, whole ball of earth with
roots will slip out as one piece. Remove previous soil as required and place the plant
in the centre of the new pot. Then pack the side with soil mixture. After that pot
should be watered much more carefully than those growing in the ground.
12. Weeding: Interculture operations such as weeding should be done regularly to
enhance the beauty of pot as well as reduce the number of weeds and increase the
aeration in the pot.

POTTING MIXTURE FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF POTTED PLANTS

1. Anthurium and Philodendron:
i. 2 parts compost
ii. 4 parts leaf mould
iii. 2 parts river sand
iv. 1 part bonemeal
v. 2 partscharcoal chopped
2. Begonias and Caladiums:
i. 4 parts compost
ii. 4 parts leaf moulds
iii. 2 parts river sand
iv. 1/2 partcharcoal chopped
3. Cacti and Succulents:
i. 2 parts compost
ii. 2 parts leaf mould
 iii. 2 parts river sand
iv. 1/4 part bonemeal
v. 2 brick pieces
4. Bulbs and Tubers:
i. 2 parts compost
ii. 1 part leaf mould
iii. 2 parts river sand
iv. 1 part bonemeal
v. 1 part red soil
5. Ferns and Palms:
i. 2 parts compost
ii. 4 parts leaf mould
iii. 1 part river sand
iv. 1/2 part bonemeal
6. Plants have vigorous fibrous root system and for general plants:
i. 3 parts compost
ii. 2 parts leaf mould
iii. 2 parts river sand
iv. 1/2-part bonemeal
v. 1 part red soil

INDOOR GARDENING
Now-a-days, there is an increasing interest in indoor plants mainly due to increasing population
in cities and towns where garden space is becoming limited to get more pleasure and fun in
enhancing the beauty of house. A wide range of foliage and flowering plants can be used as
house plants. In the modern concepts, indoor plants need not necessarily confined to the living
room alone, but bedroom, kitchen, balcony, varandas, terrace and other locations can be
decorated with suitable plants depending on the environment.

Criteria for selection of plants

• House plants should be compact in growth habit, evergreen in nature and should have
ability to grow in the shade or its growing environment, leaves should be attractive by
virtue of their shape and colour. More emphases should be given on permanence of
attraction.

• In decorating indoors with plants, definite scheme should be followed as a focal point in
the interiors. Various plants are to be arranged in a such a fashion that they become
integral part of the whole house. A number of tree spp. which grow into large specimen at
outdoors are extremely suitable or useful in indoor. The most important plants areFicus
 benjamina, F. elasitca, F. tringularis, Gravelliarobusta and Fastiajavonica. Plant
suitable for window boxes are species and varieties of Caladium, Aglaonema and
Diffenbachia, Philodendron, Monestra, syngonium, etc. can be effectively used to
separate the area between living room and living spaces.

Environment for house plants

After procurement of the plants more care should be given for 2 weeks to get acclimatize
in its new home. For this initially the plants should be introduced indoors for few fours. And this
period could be increased gradually. The exposing plants to the indoor condition gradually is
termed as hardening. Again plants may be kept out during favorable weather condition.

Temperature and Humidity

Because of diverse climate condition of origin of different house plants, the temperature
requirement is gradually varies. The plant requires a minimum night temperature of 18 0C and a
day temperature 240C.However, large number of plants can thrive well where temperature ranges
between 15-300C.

Most house plants will grow best at a good level of humidity. Few spp. such as alocacia,
anthurium and orchids need very high humidity.

Examples of flowering pot plants are as follows:

Amaryllis, African violet, angel wing begonia, Barberton daisy, beach spider lily, belladonna-
lily, bird of paradise, calla lily, coral berry, anthurium, Flowering maple, lollipop
plant,Ornamental Pepper Plant, moth orchid, peace lily, poinsettia, winter cherry, etc.
Examples ofsome foliage pot plants are as follows:
Aluminium plant, Areca palm, Arrow head, Bird’s nest fern, Boston fern, Broadleaf lady
palm, Canary date palm, Cast iron plant, Coral bead plant, Creeping fig, Croton, Elephant’s
ear, Fiddle leaf fig, Golden pothos, Lucky bamboo, Kentia palm, Heart of Jesus, Heart leaf
Philodendron, Maidenhair fern, Rubber plant, Sago palm, Song of India, Spider plant,
Umbrella tree, Venus fly trap plant, Zebra plant, Wandering Jew, etc.
Some succulent and cactiplants are as follows:
Aloe, Baby rubber plant, Bunny ear cactus, Century plant, Coral cactus, Donkey’s tail, Easter
cactus, Jade plant, Goat’s horn cactus, Orchid cactus, Rat’s tail cactus, Tiger jaws,
Pedilanthus, etc.

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