Balcony boxes, planters and flower pots

Modern balconies have long ceased to be a warehouse for unnecessary things, cans and a winter refrigerator. The most widespread use of external space has become the design of lounge areas or offices.

A blooming balcony is an inexhaustible reason for joy and pride, a great opportunity to surround yourself with a miniature garden and, finally, a source of inspiration for creativity. Growing flowers is not an easy task, requiring not only love for plants, but also considerable knowledge. For example, when and what flowers to plant, how to choose the right soil, and most importantly - where to plant. There are many options: pots, containers, suspended structures, floor, wall, out-of-the-way balconies and loggias, installed along the railing of non-glazed areas.

The glazed space gives more possibilities for placing containers with landings. Owners can organize entire compositions by combining wall and window brackets with side wall shelving, hanging shelves with decorative lathing and pot holders.

Boxes are installed on pedestals, if the area allows, cascading, vertical, horizontal methods of arrangement of flower containers are used. The main thing is not to forget about the passage from the room to the balcony - it must be free so as not to hurt the green pet while moving.

Landscaping allows an enthusiastic person to give scope to their own imagination and forces them to inventiveness, because a large number of plants can be placed in a limited space. Many grow not only annual varieties for balconies, but also indoor perennials, most of which also move to fresh air. There are practically no boundaries in the selection of plants, except for the footage. The range of annual flowers is infinitely varied, which allows you to plant flowers of various heights, sizes and flowering periods.

A balcony box for flowers is selected according to the size of future plantings. It is already time to use the knowledge gained on agrotechnical requirements for growing annual plants. For example, dahlias, chrysanthemums, zinnias need relative freedom. The seed has opposite requirements - lobelia, marigolds, ageratum, viola and lobularia are sown densely. For bulbous ones, a deep container is needed, for ground covers, for example, alyssum, a 10-centimeter deep box is enough. Petunia beauties love a large volume - some varieties are able to master 20-liter containers in a season.

Drainage holes should be located at the bottom of the box with a distance to drain excess moisture. This will keep the roots from decaying. The following are used as drainage:

• expanded clay;
• broken shards;
• brick rubble;
• finely chopped knots;
• proven drainage over the years in the form of foam broken into small pieces.

It has been noticed that plants really feel very comfortable with foam drainage. They practically penetrate it with roots, it is much warmer than the same expanded clay - in cold weather, wet roots do not freeze, and therefore, the danger of rotting is excluded.

From above, the drainage is covered with nutritious soil, not reaching the upper edge of 3-5 cm. Soil poured flush with the edges will not water the plants well, as water will spill out. And this is dirt and the removal of earth from the container.The location of the boxes assumes a wide variety - on the floor, on fences, from the outside, from above (for ampel varieties), from below (for tall ones). Much depends on the arrangement of a balcony or loggia.

A small memo on the design of the balcony space.

• In boxes with a small volume, the earth dries out quickly, more frequent watering will be needed. But they are much more mobile, which allows you to change their location and rebuild the composition.
• Unpainted wooden boxes look stylish and are in line with the trend towards everything natural. However, they must be protected from decay and treated with special compounds and oils. This not only provides protection, but also tints the surface.
• If there is a need for painting, then do not forget about the principle of moderation. It is better to give preference to a monochromatic inconspicuous range - gray, brown - then the flowers will look much brighter, while in a brightly colored pots they will simply be lost.
• Installing a balcony box on an external window sill with a slope will require a gasket in the form of a triangular bar. This technique ensures compliance with the soil horizon.
• Boxes with auto-irrigation are a convenient solution for moisturizing plants - you don't have to worry about overdrying the soil and roots.

The absence of an external window sill is not a problem if the container should still be outside. It can be simply hung on steel hooks, made hinged using brackets, even on hemp ropes, if the containers are wooden and unpainted. To create an organic composition, it is recommended to plant tall plants in the center. Ampel varieties are planted around the perimeter, decorating the outer panel of the balcony box, or ground covers that fill the voids.

Overheating is dangerous for the roots in the same way as overflow, so white plastic boxes are used in places with constant sunlight. Installation of automatic irrigation allows owners to leave plants unattended for a long time. It is possible, and even necessary, to plant climbing vines that can turn the balcony space into a natural corner.

A plant and a flower pot, with a skillful combination, can be full-fledged allies, they will become the accent of a flower arrangement. It is important to understand that the choice of a pot depends not only on its decorativeness and colors. The magnitude is the most important parameter. The roots of the ground cover are located near the top layer of the soil; wide and shallow bowls are chosen for them. A powerful root system requires a vertical - deep containers, such pots are installed on the floor, windowsill, shelving shelves.

The correct development of plants will be ensured by pots with the following characteristics:

• durable:
• moisture-proof;
• excluding overheating of the root system;
• easy to use, for example, weeding, transplanting.

The most popular are plastic pots. This is primarily due to the affordable price. In addition, they do not overheat, they do not need to be painted, they are lightweight and mobile. However, they are not without drawbacks: their fragility is a guarantee of fragility. Unglazed ceramic pots are a wonderful breathable material, stylish and original, and retains moisture well. Unfortunately, the material is heavy and brittle, does not tolerate frost well, over time a patina appears in the form of limescale.

Keramoplasty is an alternative to ceramics, made of clay and plastic. Outwardly, such pots are similar to ceramic ones, but much stronger. The use of containers with fasteners significantly expands the variability of their installation, makes it possible to use them on the walls.

A cache-pot is a win-win, stylish option for decorating a balcony space. Flower pots are slightly different from pots. There are no drain holes in them. Thanks to this slight difference, the plants in the hanging planter can be watered without fear of splashes and dirt, and can also be installed on railings, window sills. At the same time, do not forget about the danger of waterlogging - you need to constantly monitor the soil and drain excess moisture. Otherwise, the roots may rot, especially if the weather is cool, and pebbles or expanded clay are used as drainage.

Given this feature, many people prefer to plant flowers not directly in pots, but first in pots of a smaller diameter, which are then installed in the pots. In hot weather, it is not necessary to drain excess water - evaporating, it humidifies the air and protects plants from burns. The use of hanging flower pots on a glazed balcony or in an open loggia gives a finished look to the whole composition. Planters with ampel flowers are hung on wall or ceiling mounts.

Flower box brackets are special fasteners designed to be mounted on walls or fences, including balcony railings. They are able not only to hold pots and flower boxes, but also serve as excellent decorative elements. With their help, you can not only find a place to grow flowers in an apartment, but also create a green composition on a loggia or balcony.

The use of such a technique in the decorative design of the balcony area allows you to emphasize its features, to emphasize the individuality of the owner. Due to the high decorative qualities, such fasteners look good on the balconies set aside for the lounge area. Here you can relax after a hard day, find a shady corner in a sultry season, admire the variety of a flower garden without leaving your apartment.

This material remains one of the most common. Its advantages:

• wooden fasteners are the most versatile in terms of design - they fit well into almost any interior;
• wood is an environmentally friendly material that organically blends into the atmosphere of the "green" corner;
• wooden flower brackets are affordable;
• you can make them with your own hands, even without having carpentry skills;
• wooden products are almost always treated with special compounds, which increases their resistance to negative environmental influences.

Wood fasteners look harmoniously with wooden flower boxes.

The metal flower holder is a very practical solution due to the following qualities:

• has high strength and is able to withstand the weight of large and heavy boxes;
• at a low cost, these are durable structures with the only condition - they must be periodically painted, creating an anti-corrosion layer that prevents the appearance of rust.

Some models of steel structures are made with shelves, others have hooks and a universal purpose - both for hanging from railings and for installation on walls. The disadvantage can be considered an undemanding design, but at the same time, such fasteners remain excellent supports for liana-like, abundantly flowering plants.

In terms of quality, they are similar to conventional steel fasteners - the same strong, reliable and durable. However, they have a significant advantage - a decorative appearance and the ability to serve as an independent decoration for any room. If the balcony has a wrought iron railings, then the same brackets will look organic and give the impression of initially focused on the use of forged design elements.

The appearance is not much different from forged products, but they have different technical characteristics.

• cast iron is not subject to corrosion;
• it is heavier - products made from it are massive.

A necessary clarification - the cost of cast iron products is lower than forged ones, but they look just as impressive.

The plastic option is a cheaper fixture for balcony boxes and pots. Nevertheless, plastic holders have some advantages:

• low price;
• undemanding in care;
• have excellent decorative effect;
• are not afraid of water and other negative environmental influences.

Among the shortcomings, one can note the inability to withstand heavy weight due to insufficient strength and fragility.

Most often, pots are needed for solo, large or tall flowers. The boxes are intended for growing a whole group of plants. They are chosen according to several parameters.

• Colour. In this case, it is necessary to observe the compatibility of the color scheme of the balcony and the palette of the inventory for flowers.
• The size. The dimensions of the box must correspond to the dimensions of not only the plant, but also the balcony. The assortment of boxes contains a fairly large variety: 100 cm, 120 cm, 80 cm, long and short. Narrower containers are good for planting in one row, for example, primroses, balsams. When buying a bracket for a drawer, you need to remember the dimensions - the container must fit in the holder.
• Material. Today there is a huge selection of materials - ceramics, plastic, ceramic plastic, wood. Do not forget about the need for drainage holes in the drawers.

The main task of creating a stylish flower arrangement on the balcony is choosing a place for installing containers with plants. The problem of fastening is already a secondary task, and it depends on the location of the composition and flower varieties. The balcony space can accommodate a large number of plants, it is important to think carefully about the principle of placement.

• Behind the balcony. To do this, you cannot do without a bracket, it does not matter if it is made by hand or bought in a store. If you do not have the ability, time and desire to do them yourself, then the outlets will offer the widest assortment.

• Planters, containers, flower pots can be attached, hung on the walls of the loggia. In this case, all types of brackets are applicable - metal, plastic, forged, rope. They can hold a single pot or group. A multi-tiered bracket for several pots is attached to the wall, after which the boxes are placed in it - a ladder, ledges, cascades.

• Pots on the floor. The use of this principle implies the presence of stands for low flowers. Metal, wooden, plastic and other coasters can be in the form of a bedside table, a coffee table on a high leg. The ideal place for tall flowers is on a corner or on a balcony wall.

• Hanging pots to the ceiling - one of the most advantageous decorative positions. You can use rope holders, rope ring.

When arranging a floor group, multi-tiered ladder stands and pots are chosen. The first ones represent a variety of ladders of various geometries, the second ones are several pots assembled in one structure and located at different heights.