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Nov 18, 2015 12:51 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ibis
Florida, Orlando-ish (Zone 9b)
Region: Florida Tropicals Bromeliad Orchids Container Gardener Foliage Fan
Dog Lover Birds
Hi all, I found these great spill pots on clearance at my local HD and couldn't resist. Has anyone used these before? How much soil goes in there? Can I just put spiller plants in there, or do I need to balance it with a "thriller and filler"?

I'm in Florida, so I can use petunias, begonias, impatiens, geraniums and many others as winter annuals. Suggestions? Ideas? Thank you!


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Nov 18, 2015 2:33 PM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! to ATP
I do not have those,but I think I would make sure the bottom end of the pot was covered with soil and level it towards the open front. I think that you should plant containers to please yourself and not towards any spiller, filler or thriller rules.
Try somethings this season and then you will see what looks best for another season.

Maybe some other members who use those could give some pictures of plants in those???
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Nov 18, 2015 4:04 PM CST
Name: aud/odd
Pennsylvania (Zone 6b)
Garden Ideas: Level 1
I had one years ago. It finally was broken because my helpful neighbor kept thinking the pot fell over and kept setting it up. I told her it was a spiller pot and it was suppose to laydown.

She was s senior and would come and visit me and just could not resist setting that pot up. She just loved to come across the street to visit my gardens and talk to me.

Okay I got that out. :blushing:

I filled it soil wise as Caroline described. I planted mine with Hens and Chicks and would put coleus in it in the summer for color.

I am not sure if the pots you have are terracotta but if it is......It will dry out very fast. The only thing I could get to live in it was succulents. So if you are looking to plant with something that likes moisture you will either have to line the pot with plastic, or put some of those soil moist beads in the pots if they are terracotta.

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Last edited by Cinta Nov 18, 2015 5:18 PM Icon for preview
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Nov 18, 2015 6:09 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ibis
Florida, Orlando-ish (Zone 9b)
Region: Florida Tropicals Bromeliad Orchids Container Gardener Foliage Fan
Dog Lover Birds
Thank you, Caroline! I wasn't sure if I had to fill up the pot with soil, so this is very helpful. I suspect that I'll put several different combinations in these pots as the seasons change, or until I find what works best!

Cinta, that's a sweet story about your neighbor and your spill pot! I guess they could be kind of confusing Smiling And thank you for the idea of succulents. The pots are some kind of pottery, so they might dry out fast. I'm not usually very good with succulents, but this may be a perfect use for them. I really like the hens and chicks. Thanks again!
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Nov 18, 2015 6:59 PM CST
Name: aud/odd
Pennsylvania (Zone 6b)
Garden Ideas: Level 1
IbisFla, since they are pottery you will have to put something to hold moisture. Hens and Chicks were good for me because they grow good in my area.

Hens and Chicks probably are not good for Florida and because of your area you are really going to have to plant something that is very drought tolerant or line the pots with a plastic bag and be prepared to water a lot. The plants you listed want constant moisture.

The pots lay down so you have to set them up to water them because when it rains they do not get any water.
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Jan 16, 2016 9:28 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ibis
Florida, Orlando-ish (Zone 9b)
Region: Florida Tropicals Bromeliad Orchids Container Gardener Foliage Fan
Dog Lover Birds
So, my first attempt at filling these was a bust! I put a combination of poinsettias, red petunias and white begonias, for Christmas. @Cinta, you were right, it was hard to keep them watered, even in the winter when it's not so hot.

I came up with another idea though - I planted Fireball bromeliads in them. They will stay small, and they'll turn more red as they get more sun. I think it looks pretty good, and I won't have to worry about keeping the soil watered. As long as I make sure that the broms have some water in the cups, they should be OK. Fingers crossed!


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Jan 16, 2016 7:34 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Well that is very cool. Great choice in plants for where you live.
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Jan 16, 2016 7:52 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ibis
Florida, Orlando-ish (Zone 9b)
Region: Florida Tropicals Bromeliad Orchids Container Gardener Foliage Fan
Dog Lover Birds
Lynn, Thank You! I had my heart set on flowers, but I think this will be easier to keep up.
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Jan 17, 2016 10:17 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Ibis, with the great leaf colors you won't need flowers.
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Jan 18, 2016 2:38 PM CST
Name: aud/odd
Pennsylvania (Zone 6b)
Garden Ideas: Level 1
Ibis, I know you wanted flowers but maybe you can plant flowers in the ground outside of the pot in the ground close to the opening of the pot. Because it is suppose to look like the plants are flowing from the pot to the ground.

I do mostly foliage because flowers are fleeting and foliage is always. Do you want flowers because of the color? Since you have planted Bromelaids how about Cryptanthus they are small and maybe you would be able to see them as a good flower replacement. They are small and you can throw some other colors in and around the pot spill to give the effect of flowers.
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Jan 18, 2016 2:48 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ibis
Florida, Orlando-ish (Zone 9b)
Region: Florida Tropicals Bromeliad Orchids Container Gardener Foliage Fan
Dog Lover Birds
That's a good idea, Cinta - I can definitely add Cryptanthus, or maybe some other broms for color. There are so many variations now in the same size as the Fireball! Thank you!
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Jan 18, 2016 4:43 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Great idea Cinta. that would really bring out the wow factor.
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Jan 22, 2016 12:59 PM CST
Name: aud/odd
Pennsylvania (Zone 6b)
Garden Ideas: Level 1
You are welcome Ibis. But now you have me wanting to replace my spill pot. Maybe now that I have moved the neighbors will not come over and break the new pot. Rolling on the floor laughing
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Feb 6, 2016 6:43 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
I know this is a very old thread but I'm a bit slow sometimes and I just came across it. Green Grin! Just curious @IbisFla do you still have the Brom's spilling out of that neat container?? I almost bought one of those sideways type pots at HD a couple of years ago but never did. My sister used to have one with Philo trailing out of it. Seeing y'alls photos now makes me want to get a couple of them! This is a photo of my sisters plant in 2008:
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~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Feb 6, 2016 6:55 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ibis
Florida, Orlando-ish (Zone 9b)
Region: Florida Tropicals Bromeliad Orchids Container Gardener Foliage Fan
Dog Lover Birds
Hi Lin, yes, I still have the Fireball bromeliads in my pots. I had a bunch of those, so that's what I used, but there would be lots of options in the brom family. I've added a couple of baby Cryptanthus to one just to see how I like it, but now I'm just impatiently waiting for them to fill out Big Grin

When I plant something, I'll water it for awhile, but then something new and shiny will come along, and I'll forget. Since rain doesn't get into these pots easily, I wanted something that didn't require frequent watering.

BTW, I do like the philo trailing out of your sister's pot. That would be a great option as well, and would be pretty carefree Thumbs up
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Feb 6, 2016 7:05 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Basket Plant (Callisia fragrans) or the variegated variety Variegated Basket Plant (Callisia fragrans 'Melnikoff') would look great trailing out of those pots too ... and a plus is the flowers are fragrant! Callisia can really take over an area quickly but the pups are easy to pluck right out.
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


Avatar for vossner
Apr 7, 2016 3:54 PM CST
E TX (Zone 8a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
This thread showed up at the most opportune time. I have these lovely spiller pots (didn't know that was their name) and as you have posted, they are quite a challenge. They dry super fast and When I overwater I lose a lot of the soil.
Anybody has more tips to share? These are waiting for some pretties!
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Apr 7, 2016 4:57 PM CST
Name: aud/odd
Pennsylvania (Zone 6b)
Garden Ideas: Level 1
Do you know your zone? Are you going to leave them outside for the Winter if your climate does not freeze and thaw?

If you are going to leave them out for just summer. Moss Rose would look good in them. They like a dry soil. Sedum would look good. They come in pretty red, yellow colors.

If you have winter climate and you want to leave them outside for the winter I would do what I did above and use the semps (Hens and chicks), mixed with hardy sedum.
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Apr 7, 2016 5:14 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Hi Vossner,
Oh, those fish pots are so cool, love em'! Lovey dubby To water, I'd just spray lightly with the hose on the shower setting, it shouldn't be so forceful that the soil would wash out.
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Apr 7, 2016 7:20 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Hi vossner,
I just love your fish planters. They are going to be so cool planted.
I agree with Cinta, I would stick with plants that tend to be drought tolerant. I see you are in zone 9, Richmond, TX. That can be some pretty intense sun so you will have to think about what plants can handle full sun in your area. Unless you have a spot with filtered sun/shade?
These two delosperma bloom all summer until killing frost and both will spill over the edge.
Last edited by valleylynn Apr 8, 2016 3:53 PM Icon for preview

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