I'm wondering if it's okay to cut off the bottom of a plant pot and just place it on top of the soil without digging it in. Would that work out for my plant?
3 Answers
You might want to look into "no dig gardening." It’s somewhat similar to what you're suggesting. However, in no dig, you usually plant seedlings into the ground using a dibber, so there’s still some digging involved for larger plants. I’d recommend against your idea since the roots in the pot could dry out quickly and the plant might not thrive. If you’re set on keeping it in a pot, just get one that fits better for the plant’s needs.
It sounds a bit like a technique called ring culture, but without the water reservoir. You could try this method, but just be cautious about the pot breaking down over time or getting knocked over by animals. It could be an interesting experiment, but I’d suggest checking out ring culture pots instead if you're growing things like tomatoes or courgettes. They work really well in grow bags and raised beds.
Do you have a reason for wanting to do this? Since the roots would be close to the surface, they might struggle with heat and drought as the plant grows. It's something to think about!
I was just trying to save on compost when transferring to a larger tub, and I also wanted to avoid digging into my hard clay soil. I figured the roots would just grow down into the soil if the bottom of the pot is cut off. The heat today made me desperate for a solution! ?