United Kingdom
Is it necessary to remove ALL the compost from a container when getting rid of an old plant and replacing with a new one. Would it be sufficient to add feed granules? or just replace some of the old compost?
- 29 Jul, 2016
Answers
No, its not absolutely essential, though there is a small risk - but the really critical thing is whether what was growing in it before had any kind of disease, infection or infestation. Fungal disease particularly is a reason to avoid reusing it.
29 Jul, 2016
Agree with Bamboo, not absolutely essential but we always do to be on the safe side.
29 Jul, 2016
When growing Petunias or Madagascar Periwinkle, here in the desert, we always empty the pot, scrub it out, and let it bake in the sun for a week before planting either in the same pot. There is a fungus that kills both, and stays over in the soil for years. Other plants don't require the same precautions.
29 Jul, 2016
Pansies with downy mildew would be a case for renewing compost, and sterilising the container here. Though sterilising by sunlight is just a lovely dream here, unfortunately!
29 Jul, 2016
Yep, boiling water for porous pots, or bleach water for non-porous, for you folks. :)
29 Jul, 2016
Replacing all the compost is easy for small containers but its usually safe to just replace some of it for big ones as long as you check for nasties.
29 Jul, 2016
I wasn't referring to disease infected plants or pots riddled with fungus or mildew. The answer to that is obvious.
29 Jul, 2016
Easy to miss a cutworm or a few vine weevil eggs though?
29 Jul, 2016
If you never it, the worms & eggs are probably not there. Of course there's no blanket answer for every situation, you'll have to use your best judgement.
30 Jul, 2016
Agree Stera. easy to miss something and kick yourself later...
30 Jul, 2016
When I first experienced our local fungus, a couple of plants died in a big pot, and I thought nothing of it. Then, next year, neither plant worked at all!
30 Jul, 2016
What is left in the pot no matter what the size is usually very compacted and netted with thin roots. Don't give up, few minutes more effort will give you an empty pot to wash out and what you have removed can be well broken up and then mixed into fresh compost.
30 Jul, 2016
Gardening in the UK is quite different experience. I reuse potting mix all the time and never ever had a single problem. All my plants are vibrant & healthy - no hiding eggs or wevils lurking around.
30 Jul, 2016
Yes Bathgate gardening in the UK IS a very different experience... thus we advise folk on what we in the UK do not what you in the US do!
30 Jul, 2016
There you go Mary. Use your own judgement about the state of the compost before deciding.
31 Jul, 2016
Previous question
« Not quite sure what this plant is called can anyone help ?
I do that all the time. Never had a problem. If it still looks good and usable to you, go ahead and use it. I usually mix in some new compost and a shaky-shake of slow release plant feed granules.
29 Jul, 2016