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Re: How big a pot do I need?

Hi Nan, a lot of it depends on the plant.  You don't always want the size
to accomadate the full root ball (though that would be the biggest pot you
would need in most cases).  Keeping plants in pots is often a way to dwarf
them.  And other plants do best with crowded roots (Bird of Paradise needs
crowded roots to bloom, for example).

The Sunset Western Garden book actually gives info for growing many plants
in pots...in the regular listings.  And other books do too.  Unfortuately,
there are only a few general suggestions to go by and then you have to know
the plant.  Like use tall pots for parsley so the taproot gets to grow
fully.  Or let ginger spread out.  I've even read of plants that must be
planted in circular pots.

My rule of thumb (which is not backed up by tons of expereince and tends to
come from books) is pick a pot that will accomadate the root ball for
several months at least (or the growning season for annuals).  See how the
plant is doing later on and then make a decision whether or not to repot.
If it's a plant that can live with crowded roots and you like it at the
present size, don't repot.  If you want a bigger plant or it's one that
can't take the crowding, repot.  The books say to repot frequently one size
at a time.  I think tha'ts overkill, but then, I haven't grown tons of
plants in pots.

Cyndi

_______________________________________________________________________________
Oakland, California            Zone 9 USDA; Zone 16 Sunset Western Garden Guide
Disabled, chemically sensitive, wheelchair user          Organic Gardening only
_______________________________________________________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with me.  Maybe there's                     Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG)                   cnorman@best.com
__________________________________________________ http://www.best.com/~cnorman
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