Q. I have numerous horsetails planted in pots in a dry
riverbed to keep them from spreading into my landscape. One of these plants appears
to be dying and I’m thinking that others will in the future. Is it because they
are becoming root bound in the pots? Can they be contained if I plant them in
the ground instead?
riverbed to keep them from spreading into my landscape. One of these plants appears
to be dying and I’m thinking that others will in the future. Is it because they
are becoming root bound in the pots? Can they be contained if I plant them in
the ground instead?
A. Horsetails, or
Equisetum as it might be called, can become root bound the same as any plant grown
in a container. All plants grown in containers must be replanted every few
years when they become large. Plants that grow in clumps, like horsetail, are reduced
in size through “plant division”. But I doubt this is the problem.
Equisetum as it might be called, can become root bound the same as any plant grown
in a container. All plants grown in containers must be replanted every few
years when they become large. Plants that grow in clumps, like horsetail, are reduced
in size through “plant division”. But I doubt this is the problem.
Loves Wet Soil
Horsetail,
unlike most landscape plants, loves wet soils that drain poorly. They grow best
when planted near a pond and keeping the soil wet rather than along a dry
riverbed. Their native habitat is in marshes and wetlands that are constantly
wet. I think the problem is most likely dry soil so look closely at your
irrigation practices. In any case, keeping the soil wet should be your first
consideration if they are not growing well.
unlike most landscape plants, loves wet soils that drain poorly. They grow best
when planted near a pond and keeping the soil wet rather than along a dry
riverbed. Their native habitat is in marshes and wetlands that are constantly
wet. I think the problem is most likely dry soil so look closely at your
irrigation practices. In any case, keeping the soil wet should be your first
consideration if they are not growing well.
Double Potting
Do not
plant horsetail directly in the landscape. These plants are notorious, aggressive
invaders. They will take over a landscape if it’s wet and controlling their
spread is very difficult once they are turned loose.Sometimes this is called pot in pot container growing.
plant horsetail directly in the landscape. These plants are notorious, aggressive
invaders. They will take over a landscape if it’s wet and controlling their
spread is very difficult once they are turned loose.Sometimes this is called pot in pot container growing.
Growing
them in containers placed in the landscape requires double potting them; the
container with the plant is placed inside a second container permanently
installed in the ground. This second container has a 2 to 3 inch layer of rock
at the bottom to prevent the containers from lodging.
them in containers placed in the landscape requires double potting them; the
container with the plant is placed inside a second container permanently
installed in the ground. This second container has a 2 to 3 inch layer of rock
at the bottom to prevent the containers from lodging.
You
must, must, must twist the inside container in a circle every two or three
months to prevent roots or rhizomes from entering landscape through the outside
container. If you don’t, the roots will grow through both containers and the
plants will establish themselves in the landscape and spread.
must, must, must twist the inside container in a circle every two or three
months to prevent roots or rhizomes from entering landscape through the outside
container. If you don’t, the roots will grow through both containers and the
plants will establish themselves in the landscape and spread.
When
dividing a bunching perennial like horsetail, remove it from the container and
cut the rhizomes that connect bunches together into a single clump. This
results in two or three smaller clumps. Replant one of the smaller bunches in
the container with fresh soil and reestablish the irrigation. It will become a
bunch again, that needs to be divided, in 3 to 4 years.
dividing a bunching perennial like horsetail, remove it from the container and
cut the rhizomes that connect bunches together into a single clump. This
results in two or three smaller clumps. Replant one of the smaller bunches in
the container with fresh soil and reestablish the irrigation. It will become a
bunch again, that needs to be divided, in 3 to 4 years.