Indigenus woods can be ordered raw or oiled and sealed. Raw it will age and grey into a beautiful hue. If sitting outdoors this process will happen faster than indoors. Due to the nature of timber it can split and crack. This could be a result of the climatic conditions under which the original tree grew, which influence the mineral and oil content of the timber, and also any weaknesses in the structure of the wood itself. It is impossible to tell in advance how a piece of timber is going to respond through the years. The drier and sunnier the climate the faster cracks may happen. Indoors air conditioning and heating can also dry out timber. Regular oiling of the wood does feed and protect it from cracking and if cracks appear Balcotan glue can be pressed into cracks to slow the expansion process. Whilst our wood elements have been designed to last many years they will weather and crack along the way. Clients need to decide to go with the greying and cracking of the natural wood or oiling and sealing regularly which darkens the wood but protects it from the elements. The wood may also leak pigments. This is a natural process which can be cleaned off the floor using normal cleaning methods. These pigments do not stain.

Concrete

During the first 12-18 months and depending on whether the planter is exposed to rain, the wood may leak pigment on to the concrete. This is not a problem as it is a natural process and can be remedied. The concrete has been sealed to prevent the pigments from the wood from bonding with the concrete but it is best you react as soon as you can. The pigment appears to stain the concrete but can be removed by gently scouring the concrete surface with a light scouring pad and liquid soap. Do not rub with sandpaper or a metal scourer as this can remove the sealant. Small micro-cracks may appear on the surface of the concrete after some time. This is known as “crazing” and will happen in most instances. It is only on the surface and is part of the natural process and look of the glass-reinforced concrete and will not compromise the strength or lifespan of the concrete.

Steel

To preserve the lustre of the metal, the metal should be treated regularly with raw floor wax rubbed on with a soft cloth.

The Liner

The liner for all planters consists of three pieces 1. The bucket with inner ledge 2. The watering pipe and level indicator 3. A rubber stopper at the bottom of the bucket First determine whether the planter will be exposed to rain or undercover. If rain falls directly on to the plant, then remove the rubber stopper from the base of the bucket. This will allow the rainfall water to pass through the liner and not water-log the plant. Next place the inner ledge into the bucket with the round hole for the pipe raised at the highest point. Then place the pipe into the hole. The liner can now be placed into the planter ready for planting. You may need to shift slightly to align the wood/cork top and base as there is a tolerance allowed for in the design due to the variances found with natural materials.

Components

The planters are made of two or three parts. The concrete, wood or metal base, the plastic liner and in some designs a separate top of wood or cork. Depending on the size of the planter it will arrive complete and ready for planting or it will come in two boxes and will need assembling. Assembling is a very easy process.

Positioning and Drainage

Upon delivery you will find the liner resting on a ledge within the planter. Remove the liner and inner ledge and put aside to place the base in desired position. It is advised that you determine the final position before putting in the planted liner as the combined weight will be considerable and more difficult to move without damaging or scratching the base. The concrete and metal bases have a rubber bung at the bottom. The wooden planters are open at the bottom. If the planter is to be used outdoors where it will be exposed to rain remove the rubber bung that is within the base to allow water to flow through and out onto the floor. If the planter is being used indoors or is covered from the rain, then ensure the bung is tightly secured to avoid leaking onto the floor.

Watering

The plant liner is designed for watering on a bi-weekly basis depending on the environment and the season. The base holds a reservoir of water into which the roots will eventually grow and from where the plant will draw water. In the first few months of planting you may need to either water more frequently or fill the liner to hold enough to insure the plant gets properly watered. Determining the balance of this will take a little bit of trial and error and will change between winter and summer. Once the plant is established and the balance is found, you will find that only occasional watering will ensure the good health of your plants.