Using stones at the base of a pot

[Punk99]

Greetings,

I saw this picture at our local garden shop and it got me thinking about doing the same for my outdoor weed pots to help with drainage. I've never considered throwing in a layer of stones at the base.

In my last grow I had a problem with one of the plants whereby the leaves we're always drooping and I noticed when I harvested that even though the soil at the top was dry. It was super wet and soggy at the bottom. Likely the cause.

Do any of you guys use stones as a base layer for pots when growing for drainage? Only concern is that the bottom ends of the roots won't get any nutrients if they're sitting in stones with soil above?

 

[.RootDown]

Proper drainage is better handled by a well aerated medium in my opinion. That will give a more even moisture level. The rock/sand layer will provide some additional drainage as the soil won't clog the drain holes or get washed out with the excess water.

 

[BostonBuds]

Just use a good potting soil and you shouldn't need anything else. I currently have two plants outside with the same brand potting soil, I water one with 1/2 gallon water and it drains nice and not water logged, the second has the same soil except it is been used in previous grows and it holds a gallon of water and not draining well, I think it's because it broke down and is compacted. I would look for a better soil if I were you, I found the black gold at my local Ace hardware for $7 16qt bag, it's very light and airy and at 0.05-0.0-0.0 it doesn't contain high amounts of nutes which I like.

 

[youraveragehorticulturist]

I put 2-3 inches of Lava Rock in the bottom of my pots.

The roots grow into the rocks and almost air prune themselves. Instead of spiraling around the bottom of the pot they form a thick mat all around the loose rocks. There is way more surface area for drainage, and I believe more room for air exchange down there.

 

[inDC4now]

I put 2-3 inches of Lava Rock in the bottom of my pots.

The roots grow into the rocks and almost air prune themselves. Instead of spiraling around the bottom of the pot they form a thick mat all around the loose rocks. There is way more surface area for drainage, and I believe more room for air exchange down there.

I've seen the same root activity you describe @youraveragehorticulturist -- if I've got a bag of perlite on hand I often do the same thing. Messy when up potting though so I find myself doing this only when I get to my final pot.

 

[youraveragehorticulturist]

I totally agree about final pot only for the rocks.

Also aeration/drainage is good too. I wouldn't want to talk anyone out of extra perlite.

 

[PURPLEB3RRYKUSH]

Greetings,

I saw this picture at our local garden shop and it got me thinking about doing the same for my outdoor weed pots to help with drainage. I've never considered throwing in a layer of stones at the base.

In my last grow I had a problem with one of the plants whereby the leaves we're always drooping and I noticed when I harvested that even though the soil at the top was dry. It was super wet and soggy at the bottom. Likely the cause.

Do any of you guys use stones as a base layer for pots when growing for drainage? Only concern is that the bottom ends of the roots won't get any nutrients if they're sitting in stones with soil above?

Clay pebbles for bottom of pot

 

[Plutarch]

Clay pebbles for bottom of pot

I use the clay pebbles also. Do you have a good way to screen them out for re-use btw, or do u just toss them?

 

[Budzbuddha]

#4 large perlite works well too.
Chunk size are about an 1”.

 

[hillbill]

My grow area floors just get dirty from some drainage. Don’t bother me and on one else counts in my garden.

 

[hillbill]

Might want to just make sure the mix drains properly, rocks take up space also apart from other possible troubles.
I do use big rocks to keep my Elephant Ears upright outside.

 

[Nizza]

rocks on the bottom of the pot is helpful if they get a little dry they don't tip over from the wind
the foliage acts almost like a sail lol I've had plants fly off my deck before

 

[PURPLEB3RRYKUSH]

I use the clay pebbles also. Do you have a good way to screen them out for re-use btw, or do u just toss them?

I toss em after use just incase of disease, aint risking losing new plant

 

[Renfro]

I used to put a layer of hydroton in the bottom of my pots when I first switched to soil. They did like it, the roots would really fill up the rocks. I just stopped doing it because I ran out of rocks and haven't noticed a difference in yields or drainage.

 

[hillbill]

The true effects of layering rocks in bottom of pots is not what some here think it is. Putting broken clay pot pieces over individual drainage holes is a different thing.

 

[Roger A. Shrubber]

https://edmontonjournal.com/life/homes/gardening/garden-hits-myths-can-rocks-really-aid-soil-drainage

just use the same medium, all the way to the bottom of the pot, if it doesn't drain well, you need to change the composition of your mix...

 

[hillbill]

BINGO

 

[omgBoNg]

I put 2-3 inches of Lava Rock in the bottom of my pots.

The roots grow into the rocks and almost air prune themselves. Instead of spiraling around the bottom of the pot they form a thick mat all around the loose rocks. There is way more surface area for drainage, and I believe more room for air exchange down there.

I'm employing this right now, sounds like a solid idea!

 

[Serverchris]

I'm employing this right now, sounds like a solid idea!

Yeah lava rocks is the way to go, you can get bags cheap at Lowe's for landscaping and they are bigger size too so less mess. It definitely helps, no need to use a plant riser if you have rocks in the bottom.

 

[hillbill]

Someone might ask a gardening source about stones in the bottom, other than a pot shard to cover a drain hole for tidiness.

Your not increasing drainage at all, just decreasing amount of usable soil mix. “None of this works that way.”

@Roger A. Shrubber has it right.