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Randy Hayes
Randy Hayes is the manager of Habitat's HomeMart located at Towne West in the old Office Depot location. Having been in the retail furniture business for 20 years, and having started both Home Accents and Cost Plus Furniture Warehouse, Randy jumped at the opportunity to further his career in the furniture industry while giving back to those in need. Habitat's HomeMart is a non-profit retail store with all profits going to building homes for Wichita Habitat Homes. Randy, an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, has two sons who he enjoys watching progress in their football careers in the Maize school district. You can reach Randy at (316) 943-6996 or email rrhayes@habhomemart.com
Furniture
2005-06-01 10:48:00
Care for container plants
: My container plants are already looking weathered and beaten by the wind and heat. Since we've had plenty of rain, am I doing something wrong?
ANSWER: I discussed briefly in the May issue, taking care of container plants. If your plants are showing signs of stress, maybe we need to discuss care further.  Nothing is more important than water with container gardening. But, don't be misled by rainfall; it will not be of much importance in supplying moisture to your container plants.In containers, plant roots are not able to search out water on their own. When watering your plants, make sure you are reaching the roots. Watering the surface is of little help. Apply water until it begins trickling out the bottom. This can be deceiving if the plant is excessively dry, because the water sometimes will run down the sides of the container into the drain holes, not penetrating the root ball. Wet the soil with small successive doses of water until you are sure the root ball is saturated. Watering plants from above with a hose or watering can is the simplest and most common method of watering. Allow water to soak in gradually, which minimizes compaction of the soil.Frequency of watering will vary according to weather, size of the plant, and type of container. Always water before plants show signs of wilting or stress. In Kansas summers, daily watering of container plants is usually required. Early morning and evening are the best times to water. Watering in hot summer sun can scorch foliage.During excessive hot weather, watering can become very time consuming if you have a number of containers. Plants can be grouped closely, with sprinklers arranged to supply water, although this generally leads to water waste because much of it falls into corners and between plants.You can revive a wilting plant by setting the pot in a tray of moist gravel. If the plant is so dry that the soil has pulled away from the sides of the container, it takes extra effort to rewet it. The best way to do this is to submerge the entire pot in water for a half hour or so. When bubbles stop rising to the top, the root ball is saturated. To determine whether your plant is root bound, turn the container upside down or on its side and gently remove the plant. Examine the roots. Unless your plant is large, heavy, and hard to handle, the best time to do this is after watering. To re-pot a root bound plant, prepare a container one size larger than the current one, and fill the new container with soil. Take the plant, still in its old container, and press the plant and container into the new soil and container. Then lift the old container (with plant) out of the new soil, and you will have molded a spot exactly the right size for your plant. Remove the plant from its old container and cut any circling roots from the root ball before planting. Water the plant immediately after re-potting.
 
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