Container sizes

Hi everyone.
Very new to growing plants.
I've got some lupins and some Gerberas.
Can anyone recommend what size containers please and if it should 1 plant per pot.
I've also got some multi purpose peat free compost, will this do or do I need particular soil?
Many thanks

 

Is the lupin to go into the garden eventually or permanently live in container ? And what variety of lupin have you got some are dwarf . I'd go with 1 plant per pot

Gerberas doesn't really matter you can have multiple plants in one large pot, you could probably fit at least 3 plants in a 30cm pot or plant them single in smaller 2L pots etc . They will die off when frosted unless you bring them indoors .

Multipurpose compost can be used for both they will need a feed mainly the gerbera . Normally I'd recommend a soil based compost for permanent planting but lupins can draw nitrogen from the air feeding themselves so multi purpose should be perfectly fine.

 

Hi Samantha and



I'll leave the knowledgeable to answer your question.

 

Most definitely Woo.. ,exactly why I won't put my ( very limited) pennyworth in. I'm a bung them in and cross alll my fingers and toes gardener.

 

Hi @Samantha Onn , welcome!

It really depends on if you are planning to have a permanent planter or just something to house your plants this summer.

In general, big planters are easier to manage as they hold more soil and require less watering. A small pot may dry out in a day.

If you invest in a 50cm planter you could fill the spare bits with summer bedding plants, maybe something trailing?

Overfilling containers can look good and lush, but then you will need to take care of watering and feeding and probably divide and re-pot any perennials yearly. I'm a notorious overplanter just because I like an instant lush look

 

Thanks for your informative reply. I plan to keep in containers for the foreseeable. I have Russell hybrids Lupins??
I have 3 35cm pots to hand so was going to put Gerberas in one pot (I have 3 plants) and I have 2 Lupins so was going to put 1 in 1 pot.
I will look at some feed for the Gerberas. Typical raining again today so have moved plants into my outhouse, going to look at little pop up greenhouse to keep in their whilst the weather is bad, or would it not be worth it? Many thanks

 

Thanks for reply, I'm trying to keep it as easy as possible for now whilst I find my feet, then maybe next year build some planters, if I can keep stuff alive that long

 

Pot sizes look fine . Lupins don't mind the weather but gerbera prefer a warmer weather than what we've got at the moment . Gerbera are more of a house plant - summer bedding you wouldn't put summer bedding out until at least late May depending on where you live , down south you might me fine .

 

Welcome to Gardener's Corner @Samantha Onn