container size for vines

17 years ago

I want to plant flowering vines such as bougainvillea to grow up columns and over my deck cover. Height is about 10 ft, and large cover. I will need to use planters. I want to know how big the planters need to be (cubic feet) so that the root system will enable the vines to grow enough to accomplish this. Is there a formula as to the space the roots need without adversely affecting the growth? Does it matter what shape the planter is? Ive been considering metal planters. Is there any problem with metal planters affecting the roots or the soil that could hurt the plants?

I am a novice, and do not want to buy a planter too small, wait the time for them to grow, and then have them stop without sufficient coverage, or wreak havoc on the soil chemistry.

Thanks for advice.

Robert

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
17 years ago
First - no matter what you plant, you'll need to consider it temporary, unless you're willing to do regular root maintenance & soil changes. Vines are problematic in this respect because not only will they need to be removed from the container, but from their support as well.

Most container growers don't realize that the size of the container is dictated not by how large a container the plant WAS in compared to the size of the next container. It's dictated by how fast the soil the plaqnt is growing in is and the ratio of fine feeder roots to large transport roots. You can grow very large plants in small containers (witness bonsai) and you can grow very small plants in very large containers (if the soil is fast (of large enough particle size) enough.

For an idea of what might make an appropriate soil, search this forum using the term "gritty mix".

Al
huttnem
17 years ago
I'm in a similar situation as you, Robert. Al that is disallusioning. I was hoping to plant a star jasmine in a very large pot hoping it could be a permanent home. I did strike me that if I needed to repot it removing it from the lattice would be an awful task in addition to the awful task of repotting a very large plant. I normally use good potting soil- never know about 'fast' soil. I will look it up.Thank you
Related Professionals
Quincy Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Petersburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Leamington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Covington Landscape Contractors · Longview Landscape Contractors · Marinette Landscape Contractors · Phoenix Landscape Contractors · Lancaster Landscape Contractors · Pullman Landscape Contractors · Seattle Landscape Contractors · Hot Springs Home Builders · Baton Rouge Home Builders · Rocky Mount Home Builders · Bangor Home Builders · Liberal Home Builders
filix
17 years ago
What Al is telling you has been a God sent to me. He has taught most of us here on this forum about how soil works.

I have a star jasmine in a 15 gallon container. It's in the gritty mix Al showed me how to make. Its been in there for three years. But I don't leave it attached to a trellis as I live in maine and it has to come in for the winter.
Maybe after a few years when it does need a re-pot, there might be a way to do it with the vines still attached some what. Al would sure know better than me. I also love bougainvillea. I had them when I lived in Florida. filix
huttnem
17 years ago
I have tried searching the forum several times for gritty mix and get the message the page cannot be found. Am I missing something? Where can I found the recipe for gritty mix and is it adjusted based on water needs of the plant?
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
17 years ago
The search function has been operating only sporadically. They'll get it fixed. Just start a thread if you have specific questions, or go to the link below & ask.

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: Ask here