I use the hanging planters that I think are made of that brown snagnum moss and always have trouble with them drying out so much that the water runs right through them. One one site I visit a lady recommends sponges cut up in pieces and added to the soil. I thought well that might work...but then after thinking of it more, I thought that if I had to dispose of the soil, I sure wouldn't want to leave the sponges in it. I would end up picking it out..Does anyone here use the sponges and how do they work? I thought I might try the crystals that you add to hold water but I have so many pots that this will really get expensive. Another question I was wondering if the sponges would hold bacteria like they say they do when you have them in the kitchen??thank you ...Sherry Another tip said to line the planters with disposable diapers...that again is expensive...any one use them?
My friend uses packing peanuts in the bottom of her pots and I crumble them in my dirt.It seems to work.
I do use the packing peanuts in the bottom of some pots so they don't get too heavy but I don't quite understand the concept of them holding water or helping the planters to not dry out so fast....it might be worth a try...thank you.
Glenda that sounds like an excellent idea. And I have a huge sack of peanuts. I use coffee filter in my planters to keep the dirt from washing out the hole in the bottom. I wonder if you tried using several filters flattened out, between the spagnum moss and soil, if that would help. Might be worth a try. :-o
Try watering the pots with ice cubes. They melt slowly enough that the water is absorbed by the roots instead of running right thru the moss.
Gaylyn, that might work, or use several layers of wet newspaper, it stays moist and keep the soil moister for longer.
Thanks for the ideas....have any of you used the crystals? I bet they are expensive...haven't checked it out yet. All I know is that you have to water the crystals so they soak up the water before you go doing any planting with them...at least that is what I was told..
I was thinking about this as I read Sjoerd's post about his runner beans. He used egg cartons ripped into pieces to help keep them moist. Maybe this would work for you Sherry? See his post here: http://www.gardenstew.com/about14085.html
I kind of like the sponge idea. natural sea sponges seem better than packing peanuts. In small chunks, sponges would eventually decompose nicely I would think. Aren't the peanuts a petrolium product? Yuck! I also like the newspaper and egg carton ideas. As I get ready to plant my hanging baskets, I think I'll try several of these ideas.
A plastic water bottle with the little pop out end, or a hole drilled in a lid, will allow the water in the bottle to slowly seep into the soil, when tipped upside down in the foliage.
Use a good soiless potting soil with vermiculte in it and if need be, add more (Natural water retaining product) All potted plants have that problem when the soil dries out and seperates from the pot of liner. Poke severel holes in the soil with a pencil before you water. this gives the water several channels to go in. Keeping plants well watered is key. If you go sponge, go natural sponge. Packing peanuts, diapers, and fake sponges will remain for a long time. In large pots, place a smaller pot upside down to fill the void. Ron
Hello Sherry.... If you are concerned about having to pick out pieces of the sponge when you discard the plant at season's end, maybe you could keep the sponge(s) in one piece rather than break them up into pieces? Easier to pick out? I use those moss type liners too but I just pop the whole nursery pot into it and water, water, water. Ineresting idea.
