Container gardens perk up tiny spaces

“I didn’t realize how much I liked cactus until I was living in a condo,” said Pat Wassel, who, along with Liz Keller, teaches classes on container gardening at Lyon Arboretum in Manoa.

Easy-care cactuses and other succulents are a good choice when space is limited because they don’t require a lot of watering, Wassel said. But don’t count out flowers, vegetables and other plants when seeking to liven up a small patio or apartment lanai.

Wassel and Keller belong to the Garden Club of Honolulu, whose members work to conserve and protect Hawaii’s natural environment by conducting classes and other programs.

One of the easiest ways to start a container garden, according to Wassel, is by purchasing a self-watering planter kit, which costs about $50 at local nurseries, home improvement stores and online retailers. The planters have a watering tube in one corner and a bottom reservoir to hold water. A black plastic tarp covers the soil to retain moisture.

“This works better for plants in containers and lets you avoid frequent trips with the watering can,” she said. “The reservoir never gets completely depleted.”

Here are some other tips for container gardening:

>> Pots and containers should be heavy enough not to tip over and large enough to support the plant’s root system. They should also have drainage holes. Be sure to use a saucer to catch drainage so as not to stain outdoor floors or rugs or send runoff over the edge of the condo lanai. It’s important not to let the excess water sit in the saucer, Keller said.

>> Water-storing crystals can be added to the soil to keep it moist. Keller uses chopsticks to poke holes in the soil and inserts the crystals, which absorb water and expand, slowly releasing moisture. These work well in hanging baskets and other pots that tend to dry out quickly.

>> Your lanai is a blank canvas, Wassel said. “Don’t be in a hurry to make a plan.” Finding the right plants for the space and conditions is important. “You may see something magnificent that you want to add but it might not work well in your environment,” she said. “It’s best to look around the neighborhood” to see what plants are doing well.

Bromeliads and succulents are good choices for container gardens. Other possibilities include ferns, ficus, native moa and butterfly-friendly purple bougainvillea, red hibiscus, yellow lantana, passion flower and marigolds. Turn to mobile apps such as Leafsnap and Landscape MD to learn more about the different plants. The Board of Water Supply website lists plants that thrive in different zones.

>> Watering needs vary depending on the type of plant, sun and wind exposure and pot size. “The best way to tell if a plant needs water is to stick a chopstick in the soil,” said Keller. “If it comes out clean, the plant will need water. If it comes out with soil on it, the soil is still wet.”

>> Use potting mix, which is lighter weight and holds moisture and nutrients. The ideal potting mix is 40 percent peat or coco peat, 20 percent perlite, 20 percent vermiculite or sand, and 20 percent bark. Compost can be added.

>> When potting plants, cover the drainage hole with a piece of screen before adding the potting mix. Lightly moisten the mix before filling containers. Don’t pack it too tightly around the plant, and water thoroughly. Fertilizer can be added at potting time or later.

>> Place new plants in a shady area to acclimate them. Water when the soil is dry; don’t let water stand in the saucer. Turn pots every week to expose different areas to sunlight. Wash off foliage frequently to remove dust. Note: Fuzzy plants do not like water on their leaves, so use a soft brush to clean them.

>> Herb and vegetable plants need five hours of sun daily, said Keller. Some choices include basil, chives, mint, rosemary and cherry tomatoes. A trellis can be used if needed. A potted citrus tree also needs about five hours of sunlight and will require pruning.

>> Create a water feature by filling a large nonporous pot with water and adding small lily pads and fish or Mosquito Bits, made from corn cob granules coated with a biological larvicide. Water plants need about five hours of sunlight a day.

>> Pots and planters will be heavy and might be difficult to move around. “Use plant trolleys to help with moving the plant around,” said Wassel, and keep the wheels lubricated for easy rolling.

“Garden Party” spotlights Hawaii’s unique and exceptional gardens. Call 529-4808 or email features@staradvertiser.com.