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Exotic Plant Containers
from:The containers that exotic plants grow and live in, whether outdoors or indoors, are part of the charm of having plants.You can go to any store that sells flowers and plants and find an array of containers made from various types of materials including terra cotta, ceramic, plastic, wood or metal.
No matter which type you choose, the most important aspect to a container for your plants is having drainage holes to prevent over-watering. You have to have at least one drainage hole and some kind of "feet" so the excess water can drain out. You could also set the plant on a brick or block to allow the water to drain out.
Terra cotta is a popular container choice. Terra cotta is unglazed clay that is fired in a kiln. Its rusty brown color is a popular choice as it goes well with any flower or foliage color.
The porosity of clay makes it a good choice for a plant’s home as it allows air and moisture to penetrate the sides of the pot. The roots then use the moisture and air to help the plant grow.
Clay pots also remove excess moisture from the potting soil. If you tend to over-water your plants, this is a good thing. If you tend to under-water, your plants may fare better in a plastic pot.
Using clay pots outdoors also has advantages. They have thick walls that protect the roots from rapid temperature changes. They are also sturdier than plastic pots so they are less likely to blow over when confronted with a strong wind. However, if they do fall over, they break easily, unlike a plastic pot.
Clay pots also have the disadvantage of quickly drying out. It can be a problem for plants needing a lot of moisture, like ferns. It also has the tendency to form mineral build up on the outside of the pot, leaving an unattractive, white crust. However, this is not a huge problem because you are able to scrub off the white crust.
If you want to avoid some of the disadvantages of terra cotta, but you still want the terra-cotta look, you can buy faux terra cotta that is made from polyurethane (a type of expanding foam). This helps with the problem of cracking in the winter.
Plastic pots are strong, flexible and lightweight. They are cheaper and easier to transport than clay pots. They come in every color imaginable which makes matching your flower and your pot easy. Since plastic pots do not absorb moisture from the potting soil, they are an excellent choice for plants that require a lot of moisture or if you tend to under-water your plants.
They do not offer roots protection from rapid temperature changes since they have thin walls. If you find that your plants living in black or dark colored plastic pots wilt quickly, make sure the plants are getting enough water and remove them to a shadier area.
Direct sunlight can cause the plastic to become faded and brittle. Some plastic pots made for outdoor use are protected by an ultraviolet ray inhibitor, which helps reduce the harmful effects of daily sun exposure (like sunscreen for your skin).
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