Daphne - plastic or clay?

[Matt T]

Any views out there as to whether the alpine Daphnes are better grown in plunged clay or plastic pots? Would roots attach to the clay and then make it difficult to pot on without causing root disturbance?
Cheers,
M

[Tim Ingram]

This is certainly true of plastic but I don't have much experience of growing them in clay pots. Robyn White recommends soaking the root ball thoroughly when knocking out of pots to reduce this problem. I think what is more important is the compost - a very open mix using fairly coarse composted bark and grit or perlite, and deep pots to keep moisture at depth. I aim to grow them in the garden in deep sand and crevices rather than in pots where moisture levels can fluctuate very widely (but clays plunged in sand or plastic on capillary matting give a lot more control).

[Matt T]

Thanks for your reply Tim.
I might find a sheltered corner to plant one out in a trough to see how it fares, perhaps something tough like a selection of D. cneorum. More choice plants will probably be safer plunged, so it'll be pots for the time being, until we live somewhere less exposed. Moisture does seem to be key, so plunged clays might be the best option. Thanks.

[Dave M]

Matt, how have you got on with your Daphnes in pots? I have a few compact plants that I'm keen to have a go with in pots, be nice to even get some to a show at some point.

[Tristan_He]

Matt, as previously noted our conditions seem to be fairly similar, and I've killed several Daphnes over the years. One that has done well in the open garden though is D. x rollsdorfii 'Arnold Cihlarz' - it seems to put up with any amount of wind and rain, wedged in between some tufa blocks. I've had mine for about 10 years now and it even survived being transplanted last year (though it was touch and go for a while).

Tristan

[Matt T]

Hi guys,
I've not yet been brave enough to try a Daphne outside, but am keen to do so and maybe this year, as I have a couple of planting projects to tackle. Niches of the kind Tristan suggests are the very places that some plants really thrive here, providing excellent drainage and elevating them above the worst of the winter wet.

In the meantime, a clay pot plunged in sand seems to suit Daphne fine here and helps with control of moisture levels. I've yet to repot, so I have not tested my original concern - that roots may adhere to clay pots and present problems (i.e. root disturbance) when repotted. Will let you know how I get on when it becomes necessary (D.petraea v slow growing!)

[Dave M]

Glad to hear the pot grown plants doing OK, conditions here also not ideal for them outside. I've often soaked special plants I'm worried have adhered to the pot then carefully smashed the pot and taken it off in bits rather than dragging them out come repotting time.

[fermi de Sousa]

I've only used plastic with daphnes (DD alpina, causcasica, mezereum) but have not tried Daphne petrea as no one seems willing to send seed to us in Australia!
If someone is generous enough to send a few Daphne petrea seed my way I'd be happy to give you a report in due course!
cheers
fermi

[ian mcdonald]

Many Daphnes like a limey soil. Our two native species are found on lime, although D. laureola grows well on neutral soil as well. I don,t know how the howling gales would affect species more used to sheltered areas though.

[Jiri Papousek]

I would definitely recommend clay pots. Here is example from Cyril Lafong in Glenrothes. With gentle handling there shouldn't be big threat to damage roots during repotting.

[ichristie]

Hello I am posting some pictures of my Daphnes taken this week all grown in plastic pots my growing methods are Growing in deep pots watch the watering with care I have added some Pumice to the compost for extra drainage as the Pumice is mixed size is light so does not make the mix solid. The plans shown are Dx Bonnie Glen a Cyril hybrid without doubt on of the finest Daphnes ever D.x Maisy Larae, D.x Susanne from Jiri and D.x Kelsey Ann.  I have just built a Daphnetum in the garden which was a raised bed terraced with old Granite doorsteps have added new John Innes no 3 mixed with  around 50% Pumice probably mixed gravel would do the same, in one corner I have built another Crevice garden for interest and the opposite corner has old Granite sets where I will plant Anemone obtusiloba mixed colours for seed . Will post pictures of this next. cheers Ian the Christie kind

[ichristie]

Here is my new Daphnetum a mixed construction really I aim to cover the Daphnes in winter  when the snow comes. I will post more pictures later once I plant more and tidy up the area a bit short of time and need to plan. cheers Ian the Christie kind.

[ichristie]

Hello just went out and took these picture of two Daphnes in Long plastic pots, cheers Ian the Christie kind

[Philip Walker]

D. x susannae 'Cheriton'
D. x susannae 'Tichborne'

[Harald-Alex.]

A fine little Daphne petreae, got last year from Ian Christie, flowers in my rock garden, made with alpine Dolomit-Stones. This Little plant survived cold frosty nights till -18°C in begin of march!