Container soils should have a good balance between air- porosity and water- holding capacity. But what are the favorable levels of these two parameters? Most horticulturists will recommend providing a soil with good drainage.
Container soils must have the right balance of air-filled and water-filled pore space. This is especially important right after irrigation. I showed in the previous blog that field soils shouldn't be used in containers because they don't drain well and create a saturated root environment.
Over 4000 years ago, records depict Egyptians transporting Frankincense trees to Somalia. The trees were moved in containers. It is likely that these ancient horticulturists found great difficulty in growing plants and moving trees in containers filled with field soil.
Now through the spring is the time to take a close look at crops that are susceptible to downy mildew so that the disease can be detected early. This post follows the previous one that describes the general identification and biology of downy mildew diseases.
Downy mildew diseases have become increasingly important and common on ornamental plants over the last decade in California. The wet and cool weather we recently have had should promote the development of this disease. Now through the spring is the time to take a close look at susceptible crops.
