shrub in a pot

[pincus]

I have a Thyrsifolia Kalanchoe (pancake leaves) which I have chosen to keep in a pot rather than plant in the ground. It is in a 15" high pot. The bottom 6" is filled with fine beach sand and the top 9" is filled with potting soil. Am I right in assuming that because the sand in underneath, it won't adversely affect the plant or will the sand affect the roots?

 

[Stachura01]

I'm not surprised that you haven't gotten any response about a plant on an arborist site.

Anyhow, I'd think that your potting profile suits the plant just fine as the species doesn't develop deep roots and prefers dry soil.

I am curious about why you posted the question. Are you having a problem with it?

 

[pincus]

I've used this site to post a question on transplanting large shrubs and got good advice. I hoped I'd get a reply to this question as well. I am not having trouble with the plant but after I put beach sand in the bottom of the pot, I thought that might not be the best way to go after all. But so far, so good.

 

[S Mc]

I have a Thyrsifolia Kalanchoe (pancake leaves) which I have chosen to keep in a pot rather than plant in the ground. It is in a 15" high pot. The bottom 6" is filled with fine beach sand and the top 9" is filled with potting soil. Am I right in assuming that because the sand in underneath, it won't adversely affect the plant or will the sand affect the roots?

I realize I am quite late in responding to this thread, however, this method of placing sand in the bottom of a pot with potting soil in the top portion is no longer recommended. It can create a perched water table where the water will stay in the potting soil until the saturation level is reached to go into the sand. This could create a deficit of oxygen to the roots. Better to have the appropriate potting medium the same throughout the pot.

This plant is a succulent, Kalanchoe thyrsifolia, so I would have used a specific potting blend suited for these special plants.

An obvious question, but I will ask it anyway...you do have a drain hole in this pot, correct?

Sylvia