Succulent pots: selection criteria, variety of shapes and materials
Many people are interested in how the pots for succulents differ, since almost everyone has tried to grow plants at home at least once in their life. These plants are exotic and unpretentious, they are perfect for busy people, because they do not require as much attention as other plants. It is not difficult to create favorable conditions for them.
But even in this case, some difficulties may arise. For example, cacti stop growing, get sick and gradually rot. Incorrectly selected pots can be the reason. If the containers do not meet the needs of the plants, they will actively signal this with their appearance. When choosing pots for succulents, you need to take into account the individual characteristics of the plants, as well as the material and shape of the products.
What are the criteria for choosing pots for succulents
When purchasing pots for succulents, first of all, you should consider the type of their root system:
- For turnip and tap roots, deep containers are suitable, otherwise the roots will constantly rest against the bottom and will rot over time.
- Elongated cacti are best placed in pots with high walls.
- In the case when the root grows in width, choose a flat container with low sides.
- Cactus with a fibrous root system will feel comfortable in large round pots.
It is also worth considering the type of plant:
- For lush succulents, like a fat woman, simple pots will do.
- The more uncomplicated the form of the plant itself, the more original the container should be.
- Strictly shaped cacti look good in so-called "Japanese" pots. Additional decorative elements will be hieroglyphs or contrasting tones flowing into one another.
DIY pots for succulents are also quite capable of making. For this, almost any container can be adapted. The main thing to remember is that they must fully match the size of the succulent. In too cramped containers, the roots are in constant tightness and begin to rot. When transplanting, you can easily damage the roots, which will also adversely affect the development of the plant.
Pots that are too spacious will also not work. They will require more soil, which means more water for irrigation. In such a situation, waterlogging quickly sets in. This is unacceptable for succulents.
In advance, it is worth making drainage holes in each succulent container for the outflow of water.
Choosing pots for succulents based on materials
On sale you can find a large assortment of succulent pots. Their main difference is the material from which they are made. The most popular are clay and plastic products.
Clay
Natural materials are always preferable to artificial ones. The leading positions are occupied by clay pots.
Their main advantages include:
- A porous structure that allows oxygen to flow to the roots and helps excess moisture evaporate faster.
- Stability. These pots are quite heavy, so they will not tilt, even if tall succulents are planted in them.
- The material does not deform, does not grow moldy and does not fade in the sun.
The walls of clay pots must be periodically cleaned of salt deposits, otherwise the soil will have an increased level of alkali.
Plastic
This material is the most common for the production of flower pots.
It is relatively cheap and has a number of positive properties:
- These containers are lightweight and easy to transport.
- There is no hassle with storage. The pots can simply be folded one into one and stored in a utility closet or drawer.
- On sale you can find pots for plastic succulents of a wide variety of colors and shapes.
Varied shape of pots
Florists usually choose containers of the most convenient and practical forms. Square pots are compact enough for small windowsills. Round ones also have their advantages. When transplanting, it is convenient to extract plants from them, and the risk of injuring the roots is minimal. Bowls and narrow rectangular boxes are very convenient.
Recently, more and more often you can find pots for compositions of succulents of unusual shapes. They resemble animals or various objects. Such packaging, in addition to practical, also performs decorative functions. Bright colors and unusual painting will decorate any interior. Glass containers with holes also look interesting. In them, the substrate is interspersed with bright decorative elements.
Choosing pots for succulents is not that difficult. The main thing is to make sure that the roots of the plants are in a beneficial environment for them, that is, warm and dry. With the right containers, this is easy to achieve. And cacti will surely delight you not only with stable growth, but also with unusually beautiful flowering.