[Arid_gardener] Re: Container Growing Questions

[Dick]

You don't appear to have many options but I personally would use 15 gallon containers, use a fast draining potting soil, double the drainage holes and firmly nest the pot in soil, if possible, so that gravity teases the water-table all the way through the pot for aeration and to keep salt copmpounds to a minimum. A layer of mulch on top of the pots will reduce evaporation that concentrates salt compounds in the top of the pot. A pot setting on a hard surface will have a water table representing the level where the force of gravity is  equal to the attraction to soil particles and their density. If the soil in the pot has a solid connection with soil beneath, water will wick all the way through pulling air in behind it thus eliminating salt accumulation and a water table below which feeder roots will suffocate. You can periodically flush soil in pots if you have a spot where run-out is not a nuisance to the surrounding area.

You can prudently prune but the foliage will usually mimic the root system and any fruit should be a normal size. I like to feed constantly using a weak solution of fertilizer every time I water.

My tactics may not be textbook but they have usually worked in my circumstances.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona Maricopa County 
Cooperative Extension

bcc: Arid Gardener  
----- Original Message ----- 
  From: hartmannhome at sbcglobal.net 
  To: info at crfg.org 
  Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2007 11:08 AM
  Subject: Container Growing Questions


  Greetings,

  I live in Placentia and have a very small lot with heavy clay soil.  

  If I plant a full sized plant in a container, will I just stunt the growth and production, but not the size or quality of the fruit?  Will they below plants burst the pot?  Will I need to prune the roots every couple of years and treat them like large bonsai's?

  Would the Black Mission fig tolerate growing in a container?  I don't need much production, just for my husband and myself, but I don't want to waste my time and space if it is a fruitless battle (pun is painful, sorry).

  For an avocado, would the Gwen or Mureieta tolerate a container?  Is it worthwhile?

  I've never eaten a jujube, but they sound interesting.  Since space is limited and my soil is clay, are any cultivars suitable for a container?

  Thank you so much,

  Valerie Hartmann
  hartmannsclass at hotmail.com


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