any tricks with containers in Texas?

My in ground stuff does pretty well, but I've always struggled with containers. Probably don't give them the attention I should ( meaning I probably miss a watering during the summer) So what is everyone's tricks and foolproof plants for containers. Especially in the sun.thanks for your help.

Water is the one thing that comes to mind. And food.

Self-watering containers can be helpful for that time you miss one when you are watering. Also, I move even full sun plants into part shade around this time each year. Cacti and things with a taproot are about the only things that can take real Texas full sun. And things with taproots don't do well in containers. Potted plants sitting on soil do better than pots sitting on concrete. Things in black containers get very hot in full sun. Other than cacti and succulents, container plants in Texas need daily watering. Usually, the smaller the pot, the more often it needs to be watered.

My buddy gave me a product called agrisoak (sp?). She said she adds it to all her containers and it helps to retain moisture. Haven't had a chance to check up on it online, but it brings to mind moisture control potting mix. Maybe they add this stuff to it?

Those moisture control crystals don't work, Don't waste your $$$.

I trust your judgement Marty, good thing they were free! LOL

Has anyone tried those potting soils that seem to indicate they retain moisture longer?

I switched over to only using two types of plants in my containers and have had a lot of luck: plants that need very little water and plants that can sit in water. For the drought tolerant category, I mostly have cactus and agave and other succulents, and for the water group I have horsetail reed and some carnivorous plants. I keep the high-water need plants in pots without drainage holes, which allows them to go for a long time between waterings.

Prior to doing this I found that I was needing to water my pots once or twice a day, and things went quite badly if I was out of town for a few days.

I've never tried agave as I have really clay soil that holds too much water. Are agave hardy in pots over the winter?

I have found that peppers do well in pots also. During the summer I keep them in trays that have water in them so the plants can drink as they need to. Sometimes the trays dry out but the plants don't stay dry long enough to get damaged.

I selected some more cold hardy varieties, and I keep them outside during the winter but on my south facing porch so they don't get rain. They are picky about too much water during dormancy. Last year I gave them some protection by putting a tarp over them when it was into the teens or if it stayed in the 20s for several days, but many of my varieties are quite cold hardy.

Those soils that retain moisture longer are difficult to use. They will rot some plants off at the soil line.

I use an even mix of good potting soil, coarse sand, and coco fiber. I run it all through a sifter to take out the big chunks, and then toss in a little gravel.

The only peppers that survived outdoors this past winter where Chiltepins and Goatsweed. It wasn't a good winter to try overwintering pepper plants that I'd never tried before.

I havent found a pepper plant that willl overwinter yet- at least not one I want to keep. I dug a whole basil up and stuck in a plant for the front porch, but the blankets didnt help the roots survive and so it also died finally. Its kinda ttouch n go for winter stuff and deep summer plants- cept xeric...

My chili pequins over winter but they had several mild winters to establish great root systems. I had some of the pretty ornamental peppers over winter the winter of 2012-13 but were killed this past hard winter.

I have a chile pequin that has been in the ground over 10 years now. They are pretty winter hardy once they are established. I just lay down a good layer of leaves over it before winter and that is all the protection I have provided.

It's one of my favorites,especially when the birds descend for the tiny red peppers.

These were in pots so after this winter I'm greatful they are still alive at all. They didnt die back, they are just chugging a long.

I have nearly given up on pots, at least as far as flowers go. There are some natives that do ok in pots: black foot daisy, red yucca, some cacti and most all cold hard agave and true yucca. Personally I just can't water every day and go out of town a few times in the summer so I don't have any great planters.

I have to agree about the soils that hold moisture, they are awful.

I'm going to look into the yucca and agaves to plant. Usually I try and plant most perrenials in the fall, but with a pot I don't know. Any experience with them in the fall or should I wait until spring?
Good to know about those moisture soils. Won't waste money on them.

I am not impressed with self watering pots, either. The reservoirs last 1-2 days so might as well save your money and water every day. Bottom line is that potted plants are a commitment. If you don't have time or help or discipline keep it simple and do without. Life's too short to carry monkeys on your back that just stress you and/or make you feel guilty for being a bad plant parent.

So the trick is: don't over-commit yourself

Dennis - From a comment you made above, it appears that there are cold hardy cacti. Or were you talking about peppers? I would be interested to know about the former. Thanks.

Here's what I do with container plants,I always water in the evening,because,it gives the plants overnight to absorb the water slowly,and the plants seem to grow at night,and that's when they use the water sparingly.I mainly grow tropicals I can over winter in the greenhouse,then come spring,they go outside until fall,I miracle grow every 2 weeks as they need lots of food,being there in pots,and in the sun.

I bunch the smaller containers in kiddie pools on my covered porch. I put water in the kiddie pools about once a week, sometimes less. Even tho the area is covered it still gets sun, or at least enough sun to grow nice pepper plants. During the winter I put water in the pools bc it holds heat then I cover them with a tarp. Takes a lot less work and I still get peppers. I don't let the plants stay wet, they dry out in between waterings. It works nicely if I leave for a week or so too.

There are quite a few cold hardy cactus out there. I keep mine under a covered area during the winter, so that they do not get too much water during their dormancy.

This is a good page to start with:
http://www.coldhardycactus.com

I have bought from Yuccado, Mesa Gardens, and Miles2go.

If I am not sure about some variety then I just Google it and can usually get information about their culture. This is a particularly good one: http://www.cactus-art.biz

I swear I am such an idiot sometimes! I just reread this thread, particularly my above comment in reference to agave in pots being hardy over winter. I must have thought, overwintering potted agave indoors. Sorry for the misunderstanding!

Yes, I brought all my potted cacti and agave indoors this winter, but toward the end my buddy saw them and teased me. She said all hers were sitting outside, and NOT hogging space on light shelves inside LOL! Hers also bloomed over a month ago, while my cholla are just budding. Moral of the story is, mine will be sitting on the porch this winter and hopefully all will be okay. Dennis' advice about little water during dormancy is perhaps the most important. And also the bit about protecting them from prolonged cold/ ice. There are a lot of cacti native to texas and most of them could be cold hardy in our zone, some requiring more care.

Lisa I like your pepper pool idea!

A thing to remember,it would be safer and more cold hardy in the ground,than in a pot,I would give it a little protection on the coldest nights.

1lisac - I've read where other people have mentioned using kiddie pools. I'm now thinking of buying one. Any advice? I have no idea if they are made of different materials/strengths, etc.

Tropicman, they would be better off in-ground for sure! But unfortunately, I don't have a bed for my cacti and succulents yet. I installed a few flowerbeds last year and the xeric bed is on my to-do list for this fall. Maybe.. If I have time. Lol

Flowerchild, I bet one of the hard shelled pools would be better than the ones with the flimsy sides.. At least for me. The grasshoppers here have been known to chew the vinyl weatherstripping away from doors and windows in the summertime. The collapsible type pools wouldn't stand a chance!

tfc- I have 3 pools 2 for plants and 1 for the dog lol. I bought all of them at the Super Market. I have had the 2 I use for plants for a couple of years. They are on my covered porch so they aren't in direct sun but my plants grow fine in them. During the summer the pools hold water so I don't have to water as often and during the winter they hold water bc water holds heat. I still cover them tho. I mainly use them for peppers bc I want pure seed. But I think they could be used for any plant. The porch gets indirect sunlight depending on the angle of the sun and in the evening when the sun is in the West.

This was suppposed to be an experiment but this winter was so cold I still lost a bunch of plants but I didnt take care of the plants as well as I could have. The tepins are still doing well...along with the Goat Weed.

What do you use to control mosquitos in the summer,those dunk things you float on the water?

Are you asking me? Well, I'll answer anyway, just in case lol. I dont have an issue with mosquitos, bc the pools don't have water in them all the time. I just put water in the pools when I water the plants so they are watered from the bottom. If Im going out of town I put a little more water in. If the pools are sitting where they can get rain I would poke a few holes in the sides of the pool about an inch from the bottom so they can't hold water. Too much water isnt good for the type of plants I'm growing.

Mosquito dunks are great. Remember tho that they only kill larvae. My understanding is that they are safe for all critters. Well, I wouldn't chow down on one, but you know what I mean. I recently learned that if the dunk dries out it will still be effective when it gets wet again.

We have an abundance of potted plants here. Most are tropicals which I then put in the greenhouse or garage in the winter.....but some are just summer annuals because I like the color on the porch and patio.
The closest thing to a cactus we have is a Plumeria, or Desert Rose.
In ALL the soil we have in pots we add our own home made "Compeat".

We make compost in a huge tumbler and when it is done, we add peat moss to it. Peat moss holds in moisture, so you can add a little or a lot depending on the plant.

When I feed, I add more compeat, mixed with coffee grounds, Epsom Salts, and occasionally some acid food for the tropicals.

Wow! Those are gorgeous containers. I love your combinations.

Yes they are gorgeous Morgan!

Thank you so much.

Us Texans do not have to give up potted plants just because it is hot here. That is why peat moss was invented....LOL