Re: crumbling terracotta

Hi,

All of my unglazed pots do this eventually, the Mexican ones first.  I
always blamed it on the salts deposited by my alkaline water but I don't
have any scientific reason for this.  (I just hate the water.)  Cathy

> From: "Reid Family" <pkssreid@comcast.net>
> Reply-To: pkssreid@comcast.net
> Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2004 16:24:14 -0700
> To: "medit-plants" <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
> Subject: crumbling terracotta
> 
> Hello All:
> 
> I am wondering if anyone can tell me why one of the terracotta pots on my deck
> is beginning to deteriorate on the outside near the bottom.  I have two such
> large pots on the back deck from different origins.  The crumbling one has a
> somewhat more porous surface, and about 2 or 3 inches around the bottom of the
> pot, the outer layer of clay is puffing up and then crumbling off.  The pot is
> elevated on a sturdy little rolling palate my husband built for all my pots,
> so it always drains well.
> 
> I have two suspicions: 1 is that the large amount of fertilizer that I give
> this greedy plant to keep it happy is somehow concentrating near the bottom
> and adversely affecting it.  I'm not completely happy with this hypothesis,
> however, as the pot next to it, granted from a different pottery, which
> receives the same fertilizer regimen is fine, and because there is a layer of
> rock at the bottom that should keep the water from standing.  I suppose it is
> possible that the salts are coming out of solution as they work their way to
> the bottom and clinging to the rock layer.  My second thought is that the
> nasty little mites (or some other offensive pest) that have been a bane to
> this plant's existence, and a constant source of work to keep in check, are
> somehow laying eggs beneath the surface and heaving it up.  I'm not convinced
> of this either, though, as I can't see why they would travel to the bottom of
> the pot!  I only put this much work into these two plants as I love them so!
> 
> Oh well, anyone had this experience and care to comment?
> 
> Karrie Reid
> 
> Folsom Foothill Gardener
>
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