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The Tucson Gardener |
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Getting Potted Most of the local nurseries sell pots to go along with their plants. Some have large selections, while others might not have the room to stock as many pots as they'd like. The smaller six to 12 - inch clay pots can be easily managed by a single person. The larger, heavy clay glazed containers can be cumbersome to move when empty and downright impossible when filled with plants and potting mix. Costs vary depending on the quality of the pottery whether simple Mexican red clay to highly glazed decorative pottery. Each gardener will have to decide what he or she is willing to spend and the size and quality of the clay pot they plan on using on their patio or in the landscape.
Living in the southwest and just a hop step and a jump from the Mexico border you might lean toward Mexican pottery. Some is pretty simple in design, nothing more than a red clay that hasn't been glazed or fired as well as it could be. That's the low end of the clay pottery spectrum and you'll pay the least amount for the various sized containers. Moisture is a big enemy to simple Mexican clay pottery and although Mexican clay's porosity is beneficial to plant roots allowing them to breath and resist heat transfer the pots, if watered regularly, can look down right shabby after a year or two.
The high fired glazed pots, whether imported from China, Vietnam, Thailand or somewhere else in the world generally hold up much better than unglazed Mexican clay. The clay used in the construction of pottery can vary in color depending on which part of the world it comes from. The actual firing of the pottery can vary as well depending on the kiln and the source of heat whether, wood, natural gas, coal or other combustible. Earthenware can be fired as high as 2100F°, stoneware 2300F°, porcelain into the 2500F° range. These variations in temperature and materials is what produces the different types of pottery. Various glazes are added to fuse with the hardened clay to color or decorate, add strength and to waterproof the finished pottery. More time involved in manufacturing, materials, and skill in the pottery's creation will add to the finished product's price. Start importing the pottery from China and southeast Asia and shipping costs will also add to the pricet you'll pay. You'll have to begin to think of pottery as an investment. Highly glazed pottery fired at the higher temperatures is going to be much more resistant to moisture. It'll last longer, especially if you are using it to grow plants and regularly subjecting it to moisture and the Tucson environment. Certainly your personal preference and budget will dictate the type of pottery you purchase for your home and garden. The links listed below will provide a few suggestions for the type of pot, where to purchase pottery locally, other than the big box stores or your favorite nursery, and a few ideas how to prolong the life of your investment. (2008) |
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