View Full Version : To Rotate Or Not Rotate? That Is The Question.
SixtySix
07-12-2019, 11:56 AM
Since I'm keeping my container grown plants on the edge of my southwest facing porch they are obviously leaning towards the sun, albeit oh so slightly.
Should I rotate the containers to encourage verticality?
:birthdaynana:
edwmax
07-12-2019, 12:38 PM
Rotate ... the other side of the plant needs sun tooo.
cincinnana
07-12-2019, 03:14 PM
Since I'm keeping my container grown plants on the edge of my southwest facing porch they are obviously leaning towards the sun, albeit oh so slightly.
Should I rotate the containers to encourage verticality?
:birthdaynana:
I rotate to get rid of the Detroit lean.
cincinnana
07-12-2019, 07:24 PM
Fast fact....plants such as most ferns will not tolerate a spin.
crusader657
07-13-2019, 03:58 AM
Yes, defo, give 'em a spin. It may not reproduce nature's conditions precisely but most of what we do to our plants isn't natural(!). If we're going to confine them to containers, feed and water them ourselves rather than let them choose, then revolving has got to be good for fair shares of sunlight to all parts. I vote with the motion.
SixtySix
07-13-2019, 06:02 AM
Fast fact....plants such as most ferns will not tolerate a spin.
My hanging baskets of Boston ferns spin "naturally", but I'm guessing the morning light isn't enough to have that much of a negative effect.
cincinnana
07-13-2019, 06:17 PM
My hanging baskets of Boston ferns spin "naturally", but I'm guessing the morning light isn't enough to have that much of a negative effect.
Larger ferns like tree ferns or vase shaped ferns have issues with the spin......it is like an eighth turn a week.... technical fern stuff.
The plant adapts to the slow rotation.
If the rotation is more than that the ferns form is toasted.
The fronds twist and bend towards the light......making the vase shape like a Chihuly.
Bostons will not react to this so readily as different plants.
FloridaUrbanAg
07-26-2019, 02:44 PM
Yes, and if on the ground or weed cloth it deters the roots from growing through
cincinnana
08-05-2019, 06:25 PM
Just adding to the thread.
I rotated a bunch of plants today.
They all had the lean.
Oxalis had the best lean with the Malanga a close second.
SixtySix
08-06-2019, 01:56 PM
Thanks everyone.
I've rotated my containers and they are looking straight and tall.
Six(!) containers of Dwarf Cavendish turning my porch into a jungle.
edwmax
08-06-2019, 07:48 PM
Where are the pictures?
SixtySix
08-07-2019, 06:55 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65102&size=1
I'd appreciate some comments on the size of my containers!
edwmax
08-07-2019, 08:57 AM
Container size looks ok. But those pots hold water in the bottom which can start root rot. ... The pots need to drain and be raised above any water in the saucer. When the top of the pot is dry the bottom is still wet and that is where the roots are.
SixtySix
08-07-2019, 11:31 AM
Container size looks ok. But those pots hold water in the bottom which can start root rot. ... The pots need to drain and be raised above any water in the saucer. When the top of the pot is dry the bottom is still wet and that is where the roots are.
Those pots have about 3-4" of styrofoam in the bottom so they aren't as heavy as they would be full of planting medium. They're a bit tippy but they drain as well as my pots of cactus full of gritty mix.
edit - and I drain the saucers after watering :)
Sylviap
08-08-2019, 01:15 AM
Beautifull. Is all I got to say.
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