Post on 02-Jan-2016
KEEPING IT CONTAINED
By
Susan J. Henson
Horticulturist
972-237-8102
shenson@gptx.org
City of Grand Prairie
Parks and Recreation Department
Pick the Container
Consider the following:
Location
Size
Material or Composition
Color
Potting SoilSoil should contain:
Peat Moss
Compost
Bark Mulch
Sand
Vermiculite
Pearlite (small amount)
Time Released Fertilizer
Pick Colorful Plants
Pick plants with the same light and water requirements
Remember to Remove Pots
Pick plants with the same light and water requirements
Start With Tall Plants
Pick viewing angle
Add Filler Plants
Medium size and bushy plants
Adjust To Fit
Adjust plants to leave a lip for watering
Add Trailing Plants
Add dimension and interest with trailing plants
Firm Soil Lightly
Do not pack soil to tightly but fill air pockets between plants.
Containers Accent Color
Plants Accent Containers
Containers Can Be Decorated
Anything Can Be A Container
Old Wheel Barrow Planter
Interior Garden
Aphids Usually found on
new foliage
Can be washed off with a strong stream of water
Treat with Insecticidal Soap or Diatomaceous Earth Treat steams, both sides of leaves and new buds
Mealy Bugs
Look like cotton on stems and leaves
Can also be found on roots
Can be washed off or treated with alcohol applied with a Q-tip
Treat with Insecticidal Soap
Spider Mites Look for webbing or insects on the underside of leaves Wash off with a strong stream of water
Mist underside of leaves twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks
Use insecticidal soap on underside of leaves
Mites reproduction quadruples when the temperature goes above 90 degrees
Treat the area around the container to avoid another infestation
Scale
Look for bumps on the stems or leaves that are tan, brown or black
They can be treated with Dormant Oils or Superior Horticultural Oil
Symptoms include Honey Dew - a sticky substance on the leaves and stems.
Organic Pesticides for use on interior and exterior plant material:
Diatomaceous Earth
Insecticidal Soap
Superior Horticultural Oil
BT - Attack or Dipel