I have this old cast iron fountain that I just love. We planted it with semps with good draining soil, but we had a really bad rain storm and it filled up ..

I just love the way it looks so am reluctant to give it up.

It is 3 days past the storm and they seem to be doing OK. I have received advise to repot them ASAP. And I was about to do so, but they looked pretty good today.

Would anyone have suggestions on how to drain a cast iron planter without putting a hole in it?

This is how they look today.

I can put them in an area where they are less likely to be rained on. WHAT DO YOU THINK????

Could you find an insert that would just fit inside the cast iron cavity that you could lift out in situations like this?

Woofie,

I could try. Will try... I did try to dry it out a bit with an old wash rag stuffed in the edge.

Seemed to take up some of the water. Maybe it was not as waterlogged as I first thought.

Thanks for your suggestion. Maybe I can do that this fall. Some are going to need repotting anyway by the way the look .. putting out new shoots (stems) (stalks) whatever the proper term is.
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I had a similar problem with an old fountain, but mine is resin and the weather took care of providing drainage for me (cracks from heat and cold).
My second suggestion was going to be to try to wick out some of the water. Sounds like the washrag did some good. If the mix really is good draining, you should be able to wick out enough, wouldn't you think? But I don't know much about that type of plant. You might want to ask someone over on the Sempervivums forum. Ha ha, one year I rigged up an umbrella over my problem child!

I would think the only thing that would be a permanent fix would be to place it where it will get no water, except what you give it. Eventually it will start souring the soil in the basin and damage the plant roots.
Woofie is correct in suggesting replanting into a container that will fit into the cast iron basin. That way you can lift it out and drain excess water before putting the container back.

I'll try to find an insert which will not obscure the beauty of the basic fountain.

Thanks for all the help from everyone.

Welcome Home, Lynn.

Looking forward to hearing about your trip and seeing posts of your PRIZE!! notice I'm green with envy.

I am almost finished catching up on everything. When done I will show the treasure I found in nature on my drive through Oregon and Calif. Will show it over in the Sedum Forum.

You could plant it with a different type of plant that is what I did with my cast iron trough.

It is doing OK now. Perhaps I will try something else when I repot these plants.
Thanks for the suggestion