Terra cotta clay pots?

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omotm

Registered:1349913471
Posts: 886

Posted 1399430851	Reply with quote #1

Might be a silly question, but has anyone ever used terra cotta pots for fig trees. I have a Lattarolla in a 6 gallon self watering pot (not a SWC/SIP). Wind keeps blowing it over. I was thinking a larger square terra cotta pot might add some stability. __________________ Steve Houston, TX Zone 8b Wish List: Zingarella

james

Registered:1189185103
Posts: 1,653

Posted 1399432324	Reply with quote #2

Steve, Back when the fig bug first bit me, I had problems with the wind blowing my 5 gallon buckets over. I built a ladder out of 1X4 and supported the ends on cinder blocks, then I slipped the buckets in so they hung down. The bucket and it's content acted as a ballast. I didn't have any other issues with wind. If your containers have a lip, something similar may work for you. __________________ In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b) In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine. Iranian figs are always welcome.

Ruuting

Registered:1359310699
Posts: 613

Posted 1399435292	Reply with quote #3

James, nice fig forest! Fig leaves everywhere! __________________ Rui Southeast CT, zone 6B

james

Registered:1189185103
Posts: 1,653

Posted 1399437877	Reply with quote #4

Thanks, but that picture was from 2006 or 2007 in Houston. __________________ In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b) In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine. Iranian figs are always welcome.

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1399439941	Reply with quote #5

I love them. I have many, they are all some version of a traditional pot shape-meaning no squares. I have never had a tree tip. Last year I started using more plastic pots for all the newbies. As I figure out who is staying, they go into terracotta when I up-pot. If you are lucky enough to live near a clay pottery store, stock up in winter and early spring, the place by me discounts their prices 40% in the slow times of year. __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

Gina

Registered:1330452963
Posts: 2,260

Posted 1399442019	Reply with quote #6

In my part of the world it would be far too dry to use terra cotta pots - I'd be watering all the time. Too bad because they are so pretty. And I have a lot of them. __________________ WillsC's new fig forum: http://www.Ourfigs.com (and blueberries)

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1399444968	Reply with quote #7

I second that, Gina. I have 2 large terracotta pots with figs. Two things to watch for in SoCal: overheating and overdrying. In June,July they must be watered almost daily. Last year I measured the pot temperatures in different types of containers, the clay was ok only if watered often. The results were posted over here on forum,, search for them. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1399445089	Reply with quote #8

Ah, here it is: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/measuring-the-soil-temp-in-the-pots-6480114?pid=1279145342#post1279145342 Mind that it was near Los Angeles, the results might be different in your location. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1399458057	Reply with quote #9

Hi, I would put the plastic pot in a Terra-cotta pot because of the weight when checking the tree - if you want to check if the roots are coming out or not ... __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1399461241	Reply with quote #10

i would imagine terra cotta pots will be great for the figs. it will let the root "breath". but at the same time, needs more watering and the pot will break down sooner. __________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher *** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. * * and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...***

gorgi

Registered:1188888396
Posts: 2,864

Posted 1399461744	Reply with quote #11

I think that terra cotta clay pots planted with figs tend to dry up too fast for me. __________________ George, NJ_z7a.

Gina

Registered:1330452963
Posts: 2,260

Posted 1399473808	Reply with quote #12

Ah... but they are so pretty in TC pots. If you are going just for the look and not the breathability of the pots, and don't want to have to water all the time, you can either line them with plastic sheeting (which isn't all that difficult), or as jds says, put a plastic pot inside the clay pot. I've got 5 large clay pots that I can put 15 gallon plastic pots into. Then use mulch around the top to disguise it. (Planting directly into these breakable pots would be far too heavy to have to deal with for either moving or transplanting.) These will go in the front as decorative plantings. (An image from the internet) __________________ WillsC's new fig forum: http://www.Ourfigs.com (and blueberries)

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