Herb Questions

[blunomore]

I want to plant herbs in pots on my patio, but I am a novice.

Is it absolutely vital for the pots to have drain holes in the bottom ? I bought ceramic pots, without holes. If I were to try and e.g. drill a hole/s in the bottom, the pot would likely crack ...

 

[Gargmel]

Without holes you are very likely to get root rot. Drainage is very important, the roots need water and air to grow.

 

[davemc]

You get special diamond tipped drill bits that can cut through class and ceramic. Find a person who deals in glass products and have a word with them, ask them how much they'd charge to drill the holes.
You're going to have to get a "drip-tray" for the pots now that they have holes in them though.

Perhaps you should sell the pots and get different ones, more suited to your cause.

 

[Gwen]

Put normal plastic pots inside the ceramic pots but raise them slightly with so that the plastic pot doesn't languish in the standing water.

 

[Mars]

Herb? Hmmm........

 

[Dean]

Herb? Hmmm........

Agreed with the posters above. Also remember to us high-powered lighting and hydroponic feeding.
If you're not keen on that, just import from Afghanistan

 

[copacetic]

Just make sure they are not visible from your neighbors place.

 

[blunomore]

Put normal plastic pots inside the ceramic pots but raise them slightly with so that the plastic pot doesn't languish in the standing water.

What would then happen with the water that goes into the space between the plastic pots and the ceramic pots ?

 

[Gwen]

If your ceramic pot is slightly bigger than the plastic pot it will evaporate. Most herbs require a bit less water than other plants so if you have 3cm or more of standing water you are probably over-watering them.

 

[HavocXphere]

Watch the sun. Killed my last herbs. (Cooking herbs not the rasta herb)

 

[blunomore]

If your ceramic pot is slightly bigger than the plastic pot it will evaporate. Most herbs require a bit less water than other plants so if you have 3cm or more of standing water you are probably over-watering them.

Thanks

Watch the sun. Killed my last herbs. (Cooking herbs not the rasta herb)

The patio is enclosed with glass, so no real direct sunlight.

 

[EchoZA]

Drill one hole in bottom of pot, add a 1cm layer of washed grey stone (wash in boiling water) then add potting soil, top with a layer of mulch ance your herbs have started growing. The layer of grey stone allows for drainage and breathing of roots. Don't over water as you will get root rot

 

[murraybiscuit]

the soil itself is pretty important as well.
regular potting soil has very little nutrition and it's too porous. it should be mixed with a lot of topsoil. i would use 2:3 parts potting soil to topsoil.

 

[blunomore]

Drill one hole in bottom of pot, add a 1cm layer of washed grey stone (wash in boiling water) then add potting soil, top with a layer of mulch ance your herbs have started growing. The layer of grey stone allows for drainage and breathing of roots. Don't over water as you will get root rot

The posts are made of ceramic/clay. Cannot drill a hole in them. May break

 

[DJ...]

You can drill into ceramic - just really carefully. But best for herbs is hydroponics - installed a hydroponics set 2 years ago and have never looked back. Works wonders for my origanum too...

 

[murraybiscuit]

tile bit. R30. i don't see why it would work on porcelain but not teracotta.