How to Take Care of Quart Sized Plants
- Published: Dec 9, 2023
- Written by JOSEPH PLITT
- Topics:
Starting in 2024, we are offering a select group of our most popular plants in quart sized containers. Normally we prefer to offer our plants in 3 gallon or larger pots for shrubs and trees. Many perennials such as Hosta and Hellebore are perfectly safe to plant in the ground even though they are sold in a one gallon pot. Quart sized shrubs and trees are not ready to plant in native soil and need additional time and attention while growing in a pot. This year we would like to offer some plants in smaller containers even though they will not be ready to plant in the ground. This blog contains instructions on how to take care of these young plants if you prefer to grow them to landscape ready size yourself.
Quart planting instructions:
1. Use appx 1 cubic foot of pine bark soil conditioner as your planting medium. Mix two tablespoons of slow release fertilizer, a handful of lime, and two handfuls of course sand into your soil conditioner. Mix all ingredients. If you do not have all of the ingredients, you may purchase premixed soil conditioner from us that is ready to go. Link to our pre-mixed soil conditioner is here:
2. Obtain a 2 or 3 gallon plastic pot or ceramic pot of similar size.
3. Once the soil is mixed, water it thoroughly and place the soil in the pot. Fill the pot completely with soil leaving appx 1.5 inches from the top of the pot.
4. Remove the small plant from its pot and gently loosen the roots, especially the outer roots. This helps promote new root growth. You might break a few roots but try minimize root breakage.
5. Plant the new plant into the pot at the same level as the soil contained in the pot. Do not bury too deep or too shallow as this can damage the plants chance for survival. Once planted press lightly on the soil in the pot. It is not necessary to press hard as this will prevent air and water movement through the soil.
6. Water the plant gently and thoroughly and place the pot in a place where you can keep an eye on it as it will need water and additional attention often.
7. Plan on watering your quart sized plants daily throughout the spring and summer. They will like their soil to remain moist but not soaking wet. Please make sure that your planter has holes in the bottom so that the plant can drain excess water.
If everything goes well, your plant will continue making new roots and fill the pot within three months to one year. Once the roots have filled the pot, you may feel safe to plant it in your landscape. Please note that if you need to keep your plants in pots through the winter months, you will need cold protection. Most plants will start to sustain root damage if their roots are allowed to freeze for more than 48 continuous hours. As always, reach out if you have specific questions, we are always here to help!
Direct link to our Quart sized Plant page:
https://lotsofplants.com/collections/quart-sized-start-plants?selected=specialty