Terra-Cotta Pots
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-434 -- More Projects »
Field reporter Joe Lovitt visits with Mike Hibbard, a gardening expert, who offers advice on buying, maintaining and repairing terra-cotta pots.
- Larger pots are quite expensive, so it pays to repair cracks (figure A). Start by thoroughly cleaning and drying the pot. Using a thin wooden shim, open a small space in the crack (figure B), just wide enough to rub in some adhesive. Squeeze a small amount of waterproof silicone caulk into the crack. Pull out the shim, secure the bond by wrapping a piece of wire around the pot and--using a screwdriver or large nail--twist the wire tightly as if you were applying a tourniquet. Remove the wire after the silicone has dried, and scrape away any excess adhesive.
- Inspect terra-cotta pots carefully for flaws and cracks before buying them. Hold the pot upside down by hooking a finger through the drainage hole. Lightly tap the rim of the pot. A good pot should produce a smooth, ringing tone. Pots with flaws or cracks will give off a muffled sound.
- Do not buy a pot that shows signs of flaking. Flaking can occur for a variety of reasons such as the following: poor clay quality, improper firing, or moisture that has expanded in the clay, and it cannot be repaired.
- Chips along the rim are not a cause for concern. They do not affect the durability of the pot, and once the pot is full of plants the chips will not be noticed.
- Clean used pots with a mixture of one part bleach to 10 parts water. This will eliminate any plant diseases, and clean off moss.
- Use a scrub brush and a mixture of one cup vinegar in a quart of water to remove mineral build up.
- Store terra-cotta pots inside during winter months. Pots left outside are prone to flake and crack.
Guests Mike Hibbard
Professional Gardener, Bachman's Garden Center
6010 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone: 612-861-7311 or 612-861-7676
Toll-free: 866-222-4626
Website:
www.bachmans.com
Also in this Episode
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