Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Nov 03, 2011 9:26 am Hi all, I'm just after some advice about keeping a row of English Box on a balcony healthy and strong. The plants are in self-watering pots about 20cm deep (minus 3cm for the water reservoir at the bottom). They're planted fairly closely so they may get some protection from each other. The balcony is sunny and can be windy. They are in self-watering pots and have peat moss at the top and bottom. I have seasol and will be applying every 2 weeks. Does anyone have any tips about the best way to keep them healthy throughout summer? Balconies are not the most hospitable places for plants so I want to take every precaution. I'm wondering about stones over the soil, shade cloth in summer, applying yates drought shield, whether to get a ph testing kit, or worms or compost or whether English Box will benefit from molasses - yes I've been reading here already. Big thanks for any advice. Re: English Box on north facing balcony 2Nov 03, 2011 1:41 pm I have just been reading about the incredible acidic quality of peat moss. Doesn't English Box prefer alkaline soils, and have I made a mistake in putting a layer of peat moss at the bottom and top of the pots? Re: English Box on north facing balcony 5Nov 04, 2011 10:07 am Ok then, your biggest problem will be the 40 plus hot northerly wind days. The pots will dry out very quickly so make sure your keep the soil moist, in a normal pot that would mean watering 2-4 times a day with self watering you will have to experiment a bit. Just put your finger into soil and check. Anything above 40 you will need to give the plants some protection from about midday onwards, eg shade cloth or move them in to the shade. At the end of the day buxus isn't the sort of plant that can handle these conditions easily, established in the ground they can, but in a pot its very different. Re: English Box on north facing balcony 6Nov 04, 2011 10:34 am BeatrixKiddo Ok then, your biggest problem will be the 40 plus hot northerly wind days. The pots will dry out very quickly so make sure your keep the soil moist, in a normal pot that would mean watering 2-4 times a day with self watering you will have to experiment a bit. Just put your finger into soil and check. Anything above 40 you will need to give the plants some protection from about midday onwards, eg shade cloth or move them in to the shade. At the end of the day buxus isn't the sort of plant that can handle these conditions easily, established in the ground they can, but in a pot its very different. Thanks BK, I expected as much and will get some shade cloth that I can fasten and remove as necessary. Is drough shield any good for the summer? Also as you mention my biggest concern is keeping the soil moist. The winds are really drying and pots tend to cake up and go solid. What are the best precautions to take? Can I net/cover the top of pots, leaving gaps for the buxus of course? Or just another layer of heavy mulch? Last question, how do I feed the soil? I've read that compost is best but with the pots already full, how do I add this compost? Re: English Box on north facing balcony 8Nov 08, 2011 11:39 pm If they are to have the best chance you need: *Deeper pots that are not self watering. (yes true) 30-40cm deep will be most effective. *Please don't use the peat moss on the top. That will greatly increase moisture loss from the soil. *Replant them with a combination of either 50/50 certified organic potting mix and cior fibre/cocopeat. or a 60/40 mix with the cocopeat on the heavier side or just in pure coco peat. That stuff will dry far slower than the current soils. *Mulch the tops with pinebark or treelopper mulch if you can get a little bit. *Use something other than English box. there are loads of Aussie plants that out perform it for hedging especially in that location. The warning is on the sticker on the door too. Second the aluminium powdercoat 6 18199 First time building 2 storey home in NSW. Below Current plan have separate balcony. But thinking to do a multipurpose lounge with balcony (kind of sunroom) in first floor… 0 4780 Well you won't get cooked by the afternoon sun when sitting out on the balcony on a summers afternoon but you won't have much to look at besides the neighbours… 4 3755 |