Plant Pot Recycling
Gardening containers range from coconut fiber-lined wire hanging baskets to heavy concrete planters. The one feature that they have in common is that they hold soil so that plants can grow within them. Periodically a gardener may re-pot a plant to give the roots more space or as an annual dies at the end of a season. Plant pots may be used over again based on their condition. Special care is required prior to a plant pot being reused. Does this Spark an idea?
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Purpose
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Some plant pots such as coir fiber or compressed peat pots are only designed for one time use. As these containers are used, they gradually degrade in quality. Peat pots are designed to be placed in the ground along with the plant that grows in each pot. Containers such as these won't work for re-potting.
Type
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More permanent plant pots such as cement, terra cotta or even plastic containers may be reused based on the condition of a container. Even containers that were not originally meant for plants such as old boots or plastic milk crates may be recycled into a plant pot. Some containers may be unsuitable for plants. Containers that once held chemicals that would be toxic to plants or were painted with lead-based paint should not be used for plants.
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Disinfect
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Just like soil, potting soil and containers may both build up pathogens or mineral deposits from plants. A new plant placed in an old, pathogen-filled container may develop a disease and die. Before a new plant is put into a container the pot must be cleaned and disinfected. Disinfecting a pot requires soaking the container with a solution of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water. Ten minutes is enough time for porous containers to absorb the bleach water.
Clean
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Once pots are disinfected, they should be cleaned in warm, soapy water. Porous containers such as terra cotta pots should be scrubbed with a steel-bristled brush or a pad made of steel wool to remove the salt deposits from them. Any stubborn deposits may be scraped off with a knife. Then the pots should soak in clean water to remove all traces of bleach. The containers should soak in water until you are ready to reuse them. Dry terra cotta or cement containers can pull moisture away from potting soil and harm new plants placed in them.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit plant pot image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
