Mulch

[badabing888]

Hi All,

What is everyone using for mulch especially during the summer to cover the surface of their pots etc?

Regards

Daniel

[Josh]

Hi All,

What is everyone using for mulch especially during the summer to cover the surface of their pots etc?

Regards

Daniel

Never used anything on the surface of my pots. Hardly ever used gravel trays either except on my smaller pots. I do put shade up though.

Josh.

[KIRKY]

I have never used mulch. 98% of my trees are in full sun all day. Only Azaleas and White Japanese Pines are in full sun until 1-2 o'clock then there are in shade.
Cheers

[JaseH]

For some of mine that tend to dry out quickly in the heat - I spread chopped sphagnum moss on the surface during summer.

[shibui]

I mostly don't bother but have occasionally made shadecloth hats for some of the pots - cut a square of shadecloth slightly bigger than the pot then cut a slit from one side so it will fit around the trunk. It just lays on the surface. Also stops the blackbirds scratching the moss off.

I also saw a thread where someone had cut poly boxes to make 'solar hats' to fit over the pots but they would all have to be removed to water I think?

Here's a photo from the bonsai collection at Denver Botanic gardens.

Colorado bonsai 2015 01.JPG

It gets quite hot in Colorado and I assume the pots are wrapped to protect from the sun but there was no-one there to ask. Note that they have only wrapped the pot, not over the surface of the soil?

[Isitangus]

I use home made mulch-clipping from the overhanging callisteman and other trees put through the mulched. I don't use on all of my bonsai stock, just what is in grow pots, styro box's etc. for both the water saving and adding nutrients into the soil.
If your going to use mulch go for a fine mulch, it will look much tidier and break down quicker.


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[AirControl]

I saw a photo online, someone in Italy(can't remember who) wrapped all his pots in aluminum foil, just the pots.

[fredman]

I do put sphagnum on the surface of the azaleas. Also put a layer of pebbles on top of the sphagnum, as it tends to dry to quickly and takes a while to absorb moisture... doesn't look the freshest but it keeps the roots cool. I suppose the same can be done with other trees in extreme heat conditions....

[badabing888]

Thanks for the replies! many options!

I'll have to get some shade happening and ive got some lupin mulch, we'll see how it plays out.
Hopefully not too many 40+ days this year, the darker pots are almost too hot to pick up!

[Homer911]

I do put sphagnum on the surface of the azaleas. Also put a layer of pebbles on top of the sphagnum, as it tends to dry to quickly and takes a while to absorb moisture... doesn't look the freshest but it keeps the roots cool. I suppose the same can be done with other trees in extreme heat conditions....

Why just your azaleas?

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