Potting Question

[jimtx]

Ready to move some hibiscus seedlings to 6"pots (beds are ready yet). The pots have 5 or 6 fairly large holes ....... which take up most of the bottom area .... what do u use to keep the soil in the pots ..... I normally use gravel in the smaller pots but it would all run out in these.

I have heard ...or read ... that I can use the styrofoam peanuts but not sure if they would stay in or if they work well.

Any help appreciated,

Jim

[Ann B.]

Jim,

Believe it or not, a good friend of mine just passed along a really good tip. Use two or three layers of newspaper to line your pots. This will keep the dirt from going out of the holes before the roots establish, and I am told the newsprint ink has a benefit for the plants as well.

Sounds good to me, and you will be recycling!

I tried the styrofoam thing, and I really didn't like it. Especially, if you plan to put these in the ground later, which I know you are.

Big rumbles of thunder, so I'd better shut this monster down!

[Ann B.]

Well, I am certainly glad I shut this one down. My neighbor called. His brand new computer was hit and he said it was like fireworks. He had it plugged into serge protectors, but it was struck anyway.

Once, during the PC 386 timeframe, mine was hit through the telephone line. It was unplugged from the power outlet, but not from the telephone. Since the printer was connected to the computer, it was fried also. My telephone line which is buried underground was burned to a crisp from the telephone pole to and through the walls all the way up to the computer.

The same lightning storm hit a 50 year old pecan tree. 5 days later, my well pump, air conditioning compressor, amongst numerous other things were hit, and I lossed another old pecan tree by the well house.

So, beware my friends, and unplug your computers from the wall and from the telephone lines and stay indoors away from anything conductive.:(

[jimtx]

Ann,

Thanks ... worked well ... seedlings in their temp. homes ....

Jim