Crocks in Flower Pots

[gumboil]

Old gardeners used to speak highly of the need to put crocks (broken pieces of flowerpots etc) in large pots to aid drainage before filling the pots with compost. How vital is this nowadays?

I grow all-female cucumbers in large pots in a greenhouse and instead of crocks, I put a layer of broken polystyrene in the bottom before adding in the compost. The compost used is usually peat-based rather than soil based. As I understand it, peat-based composts are pretty free draining anyway, so am I wasting my time with the polystyrene or is there some other purpose behind the idea?

Thanks in advance for all your opinions.

[shylock73]

No, It`s ok to use polystyrene blocks as they don`t hold any harmful deposits. For pot grown cucumbers use a small bush variety called `Spacemaster` or `Salad Bush` in a pot12" deep and 8" wide. Water often and fertilise every 2 weeks.

[showcatbenga]

Over the last 4 years I have stopped putting extra drainage media into outdoor planters because it has become so difficult to keep them sufficiently watered even using water retaining granuals. Now I line the bottom with old plastic from the compost sack to a depth of 2 to 3 inches to provide a reservior for the plant roots. If we have a very wet year I can go & stab holes into the plastic from the outside to improve drainage but so far I've had good results & no roots rotting off! It depends on your situation as to whether you need to add extra drainage. Polystyrene works just as well as crocks, stones or pebbles because it doesn't absorb water. You only get problems if the roots are sitting in water constantly since they will then become diseased or rot off. If you've no problem with keeping your courgettes watered & are getting a high yield then keep doing what you're doing - if it ain't broke don't fix it! lol.

[May1982]

I'm no gardening expert, but I found these how-to gardening videos that might help you: http://www.sutree.com/videos/Garden/125
search through them and maybe you'll find your answer

[numptyjames]

l hope these idears will help
1 put all your old teabags in a bucket fill up to the top with
liquid fertilizer (tomiripe ect ) put the tea bags in the bottom
of the pot after 24 hours, this does two jobs one it stops
the soil dropping through , and it gives your plants extra feed when the roots get to the bottom of the pot