AusBonsai

Hi all I’m wondering if you can use the one bath amongst many trees even if you’ve got trees like cottoneasters in the mix?

I'm wondering what this question is asking
Can you elaborate a bit more please?
Not sure whether you are worried that some might not like seasol, maybe you are concerned about spreading disease from one plant to another if they share a bath? Perhaps asking how many can fit in the bath at once or whether the seasol will be worn out after a couple of plants have enjoyed a dip?

Hi shibui thanks for the reply

Well I didn’t realise so much goes into these baths so I guess I’ll revise with a few questions

1. Can trees like cottoneaster that have toxic sap, share the same season bath (fits one tree at a time)?
2. Does the effectiveness fade with every new tree taking a bath?
3. Would it be possible that disease can spread through a season bath?

I’ll be interested in the responses.

I mix/dilute as per instructions - erring on weaker moves. Then I use a watering can to water plants individually, which reflects my relatively small collection - generally - I oscillate between Seasol and Powerfeed every week or two in the growing season. Obviously this approach avoids any transfer of nasties .... I think/hope!

Is a bath a stronger tonic? Allowing plants to soak has a better effect?

Excuse my ignorance - just thought I’d ask.

Cheers,

M


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First, let me be up front and say that I don't use seasol either as a bath or tonic.

I can't think of any reason that any plants that share a bath would affect each other with toxins, etc. I did not even realise that Cotoneaster has toxic sap though. I see that cotoneaster contains cyanogenic glycosides which affect the heart, liver, kidney or brain. As other plants don't have any of those organs Cotoneaster would not be any threat to other plants. There are some plants that release growth inhibitors to suppress nearby plants but I doubt that those substances would be transferred by liquid in a bath. Most plant toxins are aimed at grazing creatures and would not usually affect other plants. Interesting that many birds love to eat the berries and some caterpillars eat the leaves without being affected. Maybe the toxins only affect warm blooded creatures?

I'm almost certain that any nutrient bath will become less effective as each plant takes some of the stuff out of the water but most of what you'll lose will be volume as the pots take up the liquid so you will need to top up at some stage. I'd suggest top up with more mixture instead of just water. Nutrient mixtures have a finite life when exposed to the air. Some nutrient evaporate, some will be used by algae and other microorganisms growing in the bath, some change form with light, heat and air so fresh mix each time you do a bath session.

It is always possible for pests and diseases to spread when plants are in close proximity. Some fungi use water as a vector to move from host to host. Is there more risk in transferring diseases via a bath than just from sitting near others on the bench? Probably not but don't take my word for it, I did not even realise that these were toxic

Legend thanks shibui, as ever so helpful

And as the trees are finally gathered around for bath time, one always shouts.... "last one in is a toxic cotoneaster!"

Similar thoughts running through my head too. Maybe AJ is worried that cotoneaster is not properly bath trained yet. Watch out for the bath water turning yellow.

From my understanding, tools used on a cotoneaster should be cleaned with methylated spirits to clear the sap before cutting other trees?

A little comical for a bath situation but Better to be safe then sorry

Action Jackson wrote:Hi shibui thanks for the reply

Well I didn’t realise so much goes into these baths so I guess I’ll revise with a few questions

1. Can trees like cottoneaster that have toxic sap, share the same season bath (fits one tree at a time)?
2. Does the effectiveness fade with every new tree taking a bath?
3. Would it be possible that disease can spread through a season bath?

Best to keep this very simple.

1. Yes

2. No

3. Yes....but I've never seen it.

Thanks Mike!