Re: Container plants.....

marianoo@wanadoo.es wrote:
Any help with the following:

Callistemon citrinus (unsure of species):  Given to me last year for
emergency TLC.  Grown as a standard and about 5' high, it was defoliated
and the rootball was completely dry.  It is now well on the way back to
full recovery (I hope).  The soil is peat based and I fear that it will
dry out again when it goes back to the owner and she places in her
favoured corner of the patio facing south (real heat trap).  So should I
remove/replace some or much of the existing compost as the present
container is already 20" wide?.  A bigger pot would be difficult to
lift.

I should say this pot should be plenty big enough to give the plant room for an adequate root system. The main problem seems to be that the present mix is unsuitable for a woody plant, particularly in such a very extreme site, and should be replaced as far as possible with one having the extra "body" which can be be obtained by including a fairly high proportion of good soil in the mix (up to 50 or 60%).

It seems imperative in this site to not only water regularly, but to make sure the root ball is thoroughly wetted each time. This may be easy when the plant is newly repotted, but as the roots multipy and the mix becomes less absorbant a lot of the water poured on will not penetrate the ball, but just run away down the sides of the pot, often leaving the centre quite dry.

The best way to ensure this does not occur is to stand the pot in a saucer/tray into which the overflow water will run. After a few hours all or most of this will usually be drawn back into the pot giving an evenly moist soil. This will certainly also help the soil to stay moist longer between waterings than one which has no saucer.

Moira

--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
NEW PICTURES ADDED 4/Feb/2004

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