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An update on why I've upgraded to #terracota pots.

I kept finding the plastic cell inserts only lasting a few seasons. Pots should last a lifetime, with care several. The terracota will hold heat better and slowly release it into the compost, with a bell cloche that should help germination rates.

They will gain a patina over the years which i think makes a nice visual. They can be painted with an oil based paint to help "seal" the clay.

It is a downside that unglazed terracota will absorb a lot of water. I personnally rub several coats of limseed oil on them to help seal them.

Doing this at the begining and end of spring after a good scrub will build up a good patania. To help stop them cracking a ribbon of paper around the inside lip will keep them apart and stop them clancking.

That was a wall of text i know, but i thougt i'd share my thoughts to encourage others to make the switch.

#seedlings #plants #veg #grownostr

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Discussion

FiddleHodlHomestead 1y ago

I did not know that trick with linseed oil! I started keeping all old plastic planters because they held the moisture so much better than my terra cotta pots.

Linseed oil on the outside? or both in and out?

serenitys forge 1y ago

Both, inside and outside. Eventually it will soak through to the centre. You could use an oil based paint on the inside if you wanted a funky colour contrast.

I'm not sure if that would leach into the soil mix, to be safe you could do a cover coat of clear varnish.

FiddleHodlHomestead 1y ago

Thank you!

Dr. Hax 1y ago

TY. We switched to plastic because the terracota pots got moldy on the outside. So now they are outside pots.

But if we can seal them... maybe with the flax oil we already have? They suddenly seem like potential indoor/outdoor pots again.

Thanks for the tip!

serenitys forge 1y ago

That could work. I'd also give them a scrub with bicarbonate of soda once in a while 😉

BTC_P2P 1y ago

Another issue I have with polymer containers is leeching. I grow edible plants either in ground or in real terracotta.

Penta Sophia 1y ago

Have you tried using a low fire glaze on your oven’s clean cycle?

So long as it vitrifies it will not be water permeable.

Pro tip:

Put a catch tray of sand underneath to keep your oven clean from over glaze drips.

Penta Sophia 1y ago

To be clear, make sure the one you are using will fire at your oven cleaning temperature.

Don’t try to use a low fire glaze that needs 1000+ degrees.