What should the soil/compost combination be when you plant flowers in pots?

i'm just starting to plant some flowers (bulbs) for the first time in my life. so i bought a bag of compost - but now i'm wondering if i am supposed to mix the compost with soil? or just plant the flowers in the compost? any other tips for planting flower bulbs - anemone; freesia and ixia - as you can see i really am a (dumb) beginner!!

What should the soil/compost combination be when you plant flowers in pots?
I don't know what bulbs you are planting. My guess is a day-lily, or something like that. The best thing I've found is Miracle Grow potting soil. You get other brands, but I've found this one, or the Wal-Mart equivalent is best. It already has a proper mix(especially the water saving blend)and has fertilizer in it already. It's easy to work with and you don't normally have to mix anything with it. You can contact www.mobot.org and they will have more information.. Good luck.
Reply:You need to buy a POTTING SOIL to use in your pots. Compost is used to enrich the soil on the ground and it is not made to be used in pots. Also, do not use garden soil in your pots. Get some potting soil. As for the bulbs, it is really too late to be planting them now. Get some nice annuals and plant them in your pots and enjoy them now!
Reply:These plants will grow in neat compost, but I would be inclined to add liquid nutrient feed such as miracle gro or, phostrogen powder mixed in with the water when they start sprouting, alternately add a manure to the compost when planting.
Reply:just get some potting compost
Reply:Its best not to use sopil as it contains stuff like worm and slug eggs, then they'll hatch out and eat your plants!


Some grit or vermiculite mixed in up to 50/50 will 'open' the texture of the compost and make it easier for the roots to develop. Add some plant food granules or gro more, water well and watch they don't dry out.


There are some great gardening websites online and generally garderners are a friendly lot who try to help you get started :)
Reply:There are multi purpose composts, special composts for particular types of plants,and soil based composts.Do not use garden soil in pots.The sort of which compost to use depends on what you are planting. For annual flowers that will only be in the pot for one summer you can use multi based compost.The compost has a fertiliser supply but it will not last all that long.I usually add some slow release fertiliser granules to the compost which should do for the season.Bulbs very often will stay in a pot for some years and there is not enough in multi purpose compost to support them.They are probably best in a mixture of peat based and soil based compost.Soil based composts(John Innes) are made in various grades with increasing amounts of fertiliser added to the higher gradings.If you are planting permanent plants like shrubs or small trees a John Innes No. 3 mix should do the trick. Don't forget plants will need feeding once the initial fertiliser has been used up.Special composts are used for lime hating plants like Pieris or Azaleas and you can buy the suitable ericacious type. . Cacti sometimes need special compost,soil based with added grit.If you are growing annuals ,don't use the same compost next year. Empty the pots in autumn and use the compost as a mulch on your garden beds. Use fresh compost next spring. I hope some of this helps.
Reply:Potting soil for houseplants is all you will need with some osmocote added to the mix. These soils are premixed to insure proper potting for plants in containers. Just plant the pot as full of bulbs as possible and then add miracle grow on an as needed basis. If you don't plan to replant the bulbs just toss them and purchase new ones. The bulbs have already been prepared from the start. Have you ever noticed that if you forget to plant them the will start on their own (even in a drawer or box, wherever they were stored) they already have the desire within the bulb to grow. You just provide the medium.





If you do plan on cultivating the bulbs - then more care is inevitable. Feeding, digging, seperating and the proper storage (temps).
Reply:Hey! We all have to start somewhere. A mixture is probably better for drainage and water retention etc. Other wise you could mix in about a third gravel. You can also buy water retaining balls at the garden centres. Enjoy you plants and dn't forget to water them regularly.
Reply:I planted my bulbs in the soil and sprinkled potting compost around and mixed it in a little, they have taken and also put some daffs in pots with just potting compost and they have been flowering. I got some growmore and have put that in the soil. I only ever use tomato plant food for all my plants. So if you mix like what I've done it should be OK, I'm not great at gardening myself, I get muddled when people say alkaline, lime and other things. Trial and error Good luck hope you have some nice flowers.
Reply:No your not a dumb beginner, every one has to learn,Ive been in this job for over 30 years and more and I'm still learning.


Most compost that you can buy from garden centres, or even super markets will do for pots, whether planting bulbs or annuals or even trees, shrubs and most herbaceous plants, so don't worry about the compost too much for the moment, you will learn as time goes on. I buy my compost from Morrison's and i use it for everything from sowing seeds to planting annuals, trees, potting up house plants, e.t.c.


Good luck with your pots, and remember not to worry too much about your compost. I'm quite sure what you have got will be fine.





Professional Gardner for 30 odd yrs.

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