Pots

Judy writes~ I have a problem with the drilled holes in the bottoms of the containers. Water drains through them and ruins the flooring underneath. Or, if I have one on a piece of wooden furniture, it would ruin the furniture. How can I get around this?

A. First, you really do need the hole or holes drilled into the bottom of the pot or you run the risk of root rot, as when you do not even know it, there can be a small layer of water at the very bottom of the pot on the inside and the roots which are there will not have any oxygen to live. Yes, just like animals, plants need oxygen! The air pockets in the soil mix will fill with water and it is the same thing as drowning. Roots turn to mush, bacteria sets in and the roots can no longer do their job of supplying foliage with water to grow, hence leaves wilt, drop and the plant dies. All this can happen within a couple days.

For floor drainage, use the short metal or plastic stands with wheels on them. Some models have a large hole to hold a drainage reservoir which you empty as needed. No water drops down onto the floor if it does not overflow.

To avoid damage to your wooden furniture, use plastic saucers with a raised metal trivet underneath them. The plastic will not allow water seepage as clay or ceramic does, the metal will not allow any water to build up below the saucer and the trivet aspect will provide space for air circulation. You will not have damage from water droplets or rings from any saucer with this method.