Select a quality potting mix to provide the best start for your potted plants

Quality potting mixes are very different to garden soil as they are specially formulated to hold moisture, drain well, contains slow release fertiliser and a wetting agent incorporated and are formulated especially for containers.

Ensure your potting mix has these following elements to ensure your plant has healthy growth:-

• Controlled release fertiliser
• Wetting agent-so the potting mix re-wets if it dries out
• Trace elements which are important to plant growth

Good quality potting mixes carry an Australian Standards Mark set of ticks. This shows that they have passed a series of stringent tests. Regular has black ‘ticks’ and Premium has red ‘ticks’.Beware of cheap potting mixes as you may be missing some of these elements and your plants will not grow to your expectations.

Water your plants in immediately after potting and make sure the water flows through the entire pot and soil evenly. Frequent watering will be required to ensure the potting mix remains moist but not wet. Avoid the plants from drying out. Slow release fertiliser will need to be re-applied to the manufactory’s recommendations ie 8-9 months. Plants should be re-potted with new potting mix when they outgrow the pot.