Q. We winter
in Boulder City in a condo RV park. Three years ago we planted a rose bush that
did wonderfully well until it died last summer. The pot gets plenty of water
from a drip hose. We would like to put something in the pot more capable of
surviving the extremes of the high desert. I would be happy with anything that
will flower or fruit when we are here in the winter and is OK with being
abandoned for six months.
in Boulder City in a condo RV park. Three years ago we planted a rose bush that
did wonderfully well until it died last summer. The pot gets plenty of water
from a drip hose. We would like to put something in the pot more capable of
surviving the extremes of the high desert. I would be happy with anything that
will flower or fruit when we are here in the winter and is OK with being
abandoned for six months.
A. It will be
very, very difficult to grow much of anything in a pot if it is not attended
to. You might be better off putting something there that will not die and, while
you are here, growing something that you can dispose of when you leave such as
an annual.
very, very difficult to grow much of anything in a pot if it is not attended
to. You might be better off putting something there that will not die and, while
you are here, growing something that you can dispose of when you leave such as
an annual.
The other possibility is to have
someone care for your plants while you are gone. The summers here are brutal on
plants as you know. We get fluctuations in our weather that are very
unpredictable.
someone care for your plants while you are gone. The summers here are brutal on
plants as you know. We get fluctuations in our weather that are very
unpredictable.
If you insist on growing something
in a container then double pot your container so that the container you are
growing in is surrounded by another container or object that shades the outside
of the inner container.
in a container then double pot your container so that the container you are
growing in is surrounded by another container or object that shades the outside
of the inner container.
Surface temperatures of containers
that receive direct sunlight in late spring and summer will produce
temperatures inside the container that will kill plant roots. Double potting a
container with a larger container with gravel in the bottom and just airspace
on the sides will help insulate the soil inside the container.
that receive direct sunlight in late spring and summer will produce
temperatures inside the container that will kill plant roots. Double potting a
container with a larger container with gravel in the bottom and just airspace
on the sides will help insulate the soil inside the container.
Surface temperatures of a container
will easily rise above 165F in direct sunlight. This heat transfers to the soil
and cooks the roots on the side exposed.
will easily rise above 165F in direct sunlight. This heat transfers to the soil
and cooks the roots on the side exposed.
Another possibility will be to grow
cacti in containers and watering it no more than about once every two weeks.
Once a week if the container is small. Make sure the soil for the cactus drains
readily. The container should still be double potted.
cacti in containers and watering it no more than about once every two weeks.
Once a week if the container is small. Make sure the soil for the cactus drains
readily. The container should still be double potted.