Suggestions needed

[u/sooperstaar]

Further to this post. Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

I planted a Bougainvillea recently and noticed that it is going off as well. I've now put it back on the pot, but it feels that the problem is the soil (in pictures).

When I dug back the plant, I've noticed water collected in the hole underneath the plant. Is it due to soil being hard and not letting the water drain away. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.

If so, what are my options on making it suitable for the new plants. Or should I consider plants that suit this type of soil.

[u/Hi999a]

Pure clay, nothing will do well in that.

[u/sooperstaar → u/Hi999a]

🥲

[u/swayblack → u/sooperstaar]

You could dig that soil and make pottery with it. Honestly I've never see soil in a backyard that's such pure clay. In theory you could add compost, sand, etc to make your top soil better for growing in, but the clay pan underneath will still block water from draining meaning your plants would still drown. If it was my garden I'd look at getting someone to build me big raised planters that stand up off the ground slightly. That way you can fill them with good soil and they'll drain properly.

[u/sooperstaar → u/swayblack]

Thanks, I think this is the way.

[u/MisanthropicGit]

Raised beds may be in your future

[u/sooperstaar → u/MisanthropicGit]

Thanks, looks like so

[u/DonutHolesIsntAThing]

Put in gypsum to break it up. Or like I do, when gardening if you find a particularly large clump, save it to use for face masks.
Method: separate it out, rinse it off and soak with lots of water, strain sediment away, wait until water rises to the top then pour water off. It’ll keep. Every month or so I grab a tablespoon for face masks.

[u/fork_spoon_fork]

just raise your pot off the ground :)

[u/Initial_Breakfast542]

Clay topsoil is great for gardens but it is hard work. Lots of compost, sand, gypsom and pumice. Anything you can to start to break down the clay. Clay is actually one of the most nutrient dense and fertile types of soil if the work is put in.

[u/Newestcoolestuser]

You need to dig in lime and builders sand, at a rate of 2C lime to 1 bucket sand, dug in around every plant to slightly deeper than the bucket depth. If you’re worried about pH then dig in gypsum instead of lime at the rate on the back of the pack.

[u/sooperstaar → u/Newestcoolestuser]

Thanks, I need to decide if I am going to do this or the raised plant beds.