HD ceramic flower-pot: no hole in bottom. Want to use outside. HELP!

David Combs

unread,

May 25, 2012, 2:12:13 AM5/25/12

to

Of course, when it rains a bunch, as it has been recently
(NYC area), next day plant in pot is submerged under an
inch of water.

My bet is that those holeless things are built for *indoor*
use, where you can feel the soil dampness and water
accordingly.

However, given that they've already been purchased and planted
in, and my "boss" wants them outside, to each side of the
front door, I ask:

Is it possible for a klutz like me to drill a hole
in the bottom of one of these things, without
shattering it?

Without spending a bunch of money on diamond drills,
drill press, etc?

Am assuming that this is NOT possible, given an
ordinary *very* lightly supplied home shop.

But I'm open to suggestons!

Any ideas?

Suggestions?

THANKS!

David

harry

unread,

May 25, 2012, 2:21:34 AM5/25/12

to

With care you can drill a hole with a sharp masonry drill. But turn
the hammer action off and lubricate the drill bit with water. Stick
some tape on the pot to prevent the drill bit wandering.

Ed Pawlowski

unread,

May 25, 2012, 5:44:08 AM5/25/12

to

On 25 May 2012 02:12:13 -0400, dkc...@panix.com (David Combs) wrote:

>
> Is it possible for a klutz like me to drill a hole
> in the bottom of one of these things, without
> shattering it?
>
>Without spending a bunch of money on diamond drills,
>drill press, etc?
>

Easy. Just drill with a regular twist drill at a slow speed. Steady
pressure, but not overly hard.

Paul Franklin

unread,

May 25, 2012, 6:32:58 AM5/25/12

to

On 25 May 2012 02:12:13 -0400, dkc...@panix.com (David Combs) wrote:

SWMBO picked up a bunch of smallish decorative pots at a garage sale.
Same problem, wanted to use outside but no hole.
I drilled several 1/4" holes in each using a bit made for drilling
glass or tile. Like butter. Bits are typically sold a the borg in
sets of 4 (1/8-5/16) for a few bucks. The bit is flat, rougly
triangular with rounded corners. Heck, I drilled them holding them
over my head because they were already full of dirt and plants, and it
was easy.

HTH,

Paul F.

DerbyDad03

unread,

May 25, 2012, 12:48:06 PM5/25/12

to

What an opportunity!

Tell the "boss" that if she wants it done right, you'll need this tool
and that tool and one of those and one of these.

Pretty soon that lightly supplied shop will be very robust.

David Combs

unread,

May 31, 2012, 8:31:12 PM5/31/12

to

In article <2bc8af0b-67c9-462c...@b1g2000vbb.googlegroups.com>,

harry <harol...@aol.com> wrote:
>
>With care you can drill a hole with a sharp masonry drill. But turn
>the hammer action off and lubricate the drill bit with water. Stick
>some tape on the pot to prevent the drill bit wandering.

By "masonry drill", since you mention "hammer action", I guess
you don't mean a masonry *bit* in a regular variable-speed drill?

And I also guess that you are agreeing that yes, a hole *is* needed
in the bottom of an outdoor pot-plant?

Thanks,

David

David Combs

unread,

May 31, 2012, 8:34:21 PM5/31/12

to

In article <7hnur7hn75lo3emtj...@4ax.com>,

Paul Franklin <pffra...@nospam.hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>SWMBO picked up a bunch of smallish decorative pots at a garage sale.
>Same problem, wanted to use outside but no hole.
>I drilled several 1/4" holes in each using a bit made for drilling
>glass or tile. Like butter. Bits are typically sold a the borg in
>sets of 4 (1/8-5/16) for a few bucks. The bit is flat, rougly
>triangular with rounded corners. Heck, I drilled them holding them
>over my head because they were already full of dirt and plants, and it
>was easy.
>
>HTH,
>
>Paul F.

Sounds good.

But what's a "the borg"?

Thanks,

David

Vic Smith

unread,

May 31, 2012, 8:53:28 PM5/31/12

to

Context was sharp masonry drill, so he meant bit. He's a limey.
Just don't hammer on ceramics, Use variable speed drill.
ALL our plant pots, inside and out, have drain holes.
Maybe cactus doesn't need it, don't know.
You don't want roots to get rotten by poor drainage.

--
Vic

Tomsic

unread,

Jun 1, 2012, 7:37:19 AM6/1/12

to

"Vic Smith" <thismaila...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:7a4gs715p6s9pl6jb...@4ax.com...

Yes, bottom holes in pots for drainage are needed -- can't think of any
common plants where that would be an exception. I don't know why holes
aren't standard.

Use some stones a bit larger than the hole as a bottom layer in the pot to
minimize dirt, etc. washing out through the hole. Or, use pieces of broken
pots (called crocking). I have five geranium plants that I bring inside
during the winter and which live outside in summer that are still thriving
after 10 years in their large ceramic pots (with holes).

Tomsic

k...@att.bizzzzzzzzzzzz

unread,

Jun 1, 2012, 2:36:30 PM6/1/12

to

On Fri, 1 Jun 2012 00:34:21 +0000 (UTC), dkc...@panix.com (David Combs)
wrote:

Big Orange Retail Giant (A.K.A. Home Depot, though the name has more recently
been applied to pretty much every big-box store.

David Combs

unread,

Jun 12, 2012, 7:26:02 PM6/12/12

to

In article <5r2is75utrrcud5qo...@4ax.com>,

Thank you! That's pretty good! :-)

David

DerbyDad03

unread,

Jun 12, 2012, 8:00:19 PM6/12/12

to

On May 31, 8:34 pm, dkco...@panix.com (David Combs) wrote:
> In article <7hnur7hn75lo3emtj52egenrmu2eea6...@4ax.com>,

Apply this Star Trek wiki entry to a big box home center:

The Borg use abduction and "assimilation" (forced cybernetic
enhancement, connection to the hive mind) as a means of "achieving
perfection".