I have been planting in half oak barrels for a couple of years and for some reason they sometimes don't do as well as I expect. Anyone have any experience with this container. What are some typical issues encountered with them?
trouble with Half oak barrels
It could be that the containers are way too large for the plants you have in them--if you have a plant in a container that's way too big for it, there is tons of soil to hold water and not much roots to take it up quickly, so the roots end up sitting in wet soil for way too much time. If not that, then I'd suspect something in the conditions (too much sun/shade, too much/little water, etc) vs the barrel itself.
What are the issues you are having? What type of soil do you have in them?
The plants are just kind of stunted. Not thriving. Aphids are attacking everything I put in there.
The aphids could explain the stunted and not thriving part and the oak barrel has nothing to do with whether you get aphids or not unless something like the container size issue I mentioned before was causing stress (plants that are under stress from poor cultural conditions will sometimes tend to be more susceptible to pests & diseases) But there are some plants that aphids just love and they'll be on them no matter what...what type of plants were you growing?
Did you drill drainage holes in the barrels? You need to have several in the bottom of the barrel, not on the side. Otherwise, you are collecting water which is stunting the plants --their soil is not adequately aereated.
I've found it very difficult to keep the barrels moist enough. Since we have watering restrictions I can only water on odd days and never on the 31st. This definately leads to stunted growth, even with water retaining polymer crystals. The driest part of the barrels is always the sides so when the drip system goes on, water is retained in the center of the barrel and the sides remain dry or water simply runs out. How are you watering them? I would think in your area you wouldn't have as much problem with drying out. I also use a 3 month fertilizer when I plant them, that seems to help a bit. By the way, I'm adding earthboxes and changing my watering routine this year. Still only odd days but not relying so much on the drip system
M
What soil mix do you have in the barrels?
We have used barrels successfully with a variety of mixes. Tapla's famous mix for containers works best ( http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/527353/ ).
What have you tried to get rid of the aphids? If you're tryng to be green, insecticidal soap will often work. If you're trying to get the job done, horticultural oil and / or a systemic like Orthene.
If you think that dryness is the problem, you could try moisture sealing the outsides of the barrel. Plenty of options for sealing at Lowes.
Hmmm there are some options. Thankyou for all the advice. I use gardener and bloom organic potting soil and have tried the soap but the aphids are so persistent that i think the plants must be unhealthy to begin with. I'll try putting something bigger in there and sealing and well.....? Maybe move it to the shade and change everything I can think of I'm fed up with this silly thing. The ants might not like the shade so much. Any suggestions for a shade lover for an oak barrel?
The other option if you like the look and size of the oak barrel but want to lessen the issues is to sink pots into it. That also allows you to change things up as they go in and out of bloom...or you are bored.
I have several barrles that have used plastic 6 pack inserts in the bottom. Had a ton of them one year, didn't want to land-flill them but also had too many to clean. So I put them in the bottom of the barrels I had just purchased. That allowed drainage and meant only 1/2 as much soil required. In the spring, I take 2 or 3 empty 1 to 2 quart plant pots and place them into the barrels as space holders. I then add any amendments to the surrounding soil, plant a few trailers or fillers, remove the space holders and plop in dahlias, lilies, calla lilies, tuberoses or whatever that have been individually planted.
No pics, but I've done beautiful 1/2 barrels in the shade with begonias as the focal point and combinations of coleus, impatiens, bacopa, browallia and/or pansies.