Container Cacti
Container Cacti
You guys are going to get sick of me and drum me out of this forum, but I hope it doesn't happen before I get some more good advice from you!
I have a large metal trough about 3 feet long by 2 feet wide by 2 feet tall that has started to spring leaks and is no longer working as a water feature. So I want to use it to plant a cactus garden of sorts.
(Not really pretty now, but the birds love it!)
Will a metal container get too hot? It will be on an east facing wall, full sun all most all day, a little less in the afternoon. It will be under eaves so it will be protected some from rain, but will still get really wet sometimes, especially when the gutters overflow.
Should I add rocks to the bottom, or does that do any good? (Of course, I will drill adequate drain holes in addition to the rusted areas.)
Now for the good part... What plants do you suggest? I'm thinking an agave, an opuntia, and some other columular cactus. Is there an Opuntia that would droop over the side rather than staying upright? I need some suggestions that will stay somewhat compact so they will not outgrow the pot, are compatible with each other, are hardy to about 20 degrees, and look really really cool!
Oh, and if you have suggestions about the best places to get these things, that would be appreciated too.
I have a large metal trough about 3 feet long by 2 feet wide by 2 feet tall that has started to spring leaks and is no longer working as a water feature. So I want to use it to plant a cactus garden of sorts.
(Not really pretty now, but the birds love it!)
Will a metal container get too hot? It will be on an east facing wall, full sun all most all day, a little less in the afternoon. It will be under eaves so it will be protected some from rain, but will still get really wet sometimes, especially when the gutters overflow.
Should I add rocks to the bottom, or does that do any good? (Of course, I will drill adequate drain holes in addition to the rusted areas.)
Now for the good part... What plants do you suggest? I'm thinking an agave, an opuntia, and some other columular cactus. Is there an Opuntia that would droop over the side rather than staying upright? I need some suggestions that will stay somewhat compact so they will not outgrow the pot, are compatible with each other, are hardy to about 20 degrees, and look really really cool!
Oh, and if you have suggestions about the best places to get these things, that would be appreciated too.
Metal will be too hot. You can insulate the inside with cardboard or polystyrene sheets, but you'd probably still want to go with species that like a lot of heat. Or cover the outside. How about siding on the trough
For drainage, you should raise it off the ground an inch or two otherwise the underneath will just get clogged up. Or you could put holes in the side near the base because they can't get clogged. That works better with Petunias than cacti because you can get a little ponding in the bottom.
P.S. You have gutters? I can't remember seeing a house in Florida with gutters. They seem like a waste to me, mostly the rain is too much for gutters to handle!
For drainage, you should raise it off the ground an inch or two otherwise the underneath will just get clogged up. Or you could put holes in the side near the base because they can't get clogged. That works better with Petunias than cacti because you can get a little ponding in the bottom.
P.S. You have gutters? I can't remember seeing a house in Florida with gutters. They seem like a waste to me, mostly the rain is too much for gutters to handle!
--ian
Yep, I have gutters. Wouldn't be able to get in the front or back doors without drowning if I didn't! Right now they are close to useless because they are full of water oak leaves.
I will think about the insulation suggestion, I need to find some clever way to do it, I don't really want to cover the outside of the 'planter' because its out of the ordinary/funky look is what appeals to me.
I still need plant suggestions. Only now I need to make sure they can really take the heat too!
I will think about the insulation suggestion, I need to find some clever way to do it, I don't really want to cover the outside of the 'planter' because its out of the ordinary/funky look is what appeals to me.
I still need plant suggestions. Only now I need to make sure they can really take the heat too!
- dustin0352
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- Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:40 am
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I think I would use a reed fence
It will conform to the container and you can cut the heigth and the length down easily to cover and shade at the same time.
It will conform to the container and you can cut the heigth and the length down easily to cover and shade at the same time.
Forget the dog...Beware of the plants!!!
Tony
Tony
Reed fence is an interesting thought. Funny how I'm having to find a way to cool the planter down more than the plants!
What about putting a layer of bubble wrap next to the vertical wall of the planter, then some cardboard or some other slow to deteriorate insulator between the bubble wrap and the soil? I'd probably only have to do it on the side of the planter facing the sun.
Or maybe use layers of reed fence inside the planter instead of outside. Maybe an inch or two thick between the metal and the soil... would hollow reeds act as chimneys to move heat up and out?
Cereus is a good suggestion for the tall plant, I just have to find one! The ones I have are not ready for transplanting or cutting yet.
What about putting a layer of bubble wrap next to the vertical wall of the planter, then some cardboard or some other slow to deteriorate insulator between the bubble wrap and the soil? I'd probably only have to do it on the side of the planter facing the sun.
Or maybe use layers of reed fence inside the planter instead of outside. Maybe an inch or two thick between the metal and the soil... would hollow reeds act as chimneys to move heat up and out?
Cereus is a good suggestion for the tall plant, I just have to find one! The ones I have are not ready for transplanting or cutting yet.
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