AusBonsai

I have a quick question to ask. I have always used fly screen in the bottom of my pots and don't remember having any drainage problems... Lately with the new potting I have done for some reason I've used shade cloth::: I have a strange feeling my pots are staying wetter for longer. Now I have to take into account that it is our winter (more like summer for most of you) and I am using a potting medium I've never used before::: Am I being a bit paranoid or does anyone NOT recommend using shade cloth??? I really don't know if I may have done the wrong thing and I still have time to re-pot and am quite prepared to do so. Has anyone else used shade cloth and if so were you happy with it???

Loretta

I use shade cloth in orchid pots all the time

Gerard wrote:I use shade cloth in orchid pots all the time

Thanks Gerard, that's good to know. So obviously I'm getting good enough drainage. Maybe what I'm experiencing is the result of using a better quality potting medium. It'll very probably be a whole different story in summer!!!

Thanks Loretta

G'day Loretta. I have never used shade cloth in my bonsai pots, the plastic mesh is cheap and has much larger holes. I have used shadecloth on potted plants before and noticed that with its small holes it did sometimes get clogged up with slitly muddy stuff from the potting mix ( especially once a few worms get in there) and drainage suffers. Then i just gave it a poke from underneath, lifting it all up a bit and the water drained better again. I think maybe it could get clogged and restrict drainage if the new mix you are using has enough dust or small particles in it.
Good luck anyhow
n.

I should have stressed "orchid pots" which have lots of large holes. Regular bonsai pots might get too damp.

I don't think I'd be using shade cloth in a Bonsai pot Loretta. An orchid has a totally different root system to a tree, and I would think that orchid mix would be vastly different as well. If a tree sends its roots down in to a piece of shade cloth, you're going to have a hell of a job getting it off. Did you cover the entire bottom of the pot, or just the drain holes? I would also think that shade cloth would clog up pretty quick.

I found a worse one the other day when I re-potted a fairly small fig for a friend. She got it from her brother who has left the state. When I pulled the tree out, there was almost no soil mix, but the whole of the bottom of the pot was covered with a Scotchbrite pad! Removing that stuff meant ripping a lot of fine roots off - they'd actually found their way right through the pad.

Thanks Neale, Gerrard and Taffy,.....I'm glad I asked and I'll be repotting tomorrow BUMMER!!!!!

lORETTA

Hi Loretta, Shade cloth as stated is too fine you need to use a mesh with larger hole. When watering the fines in your mix will filter to the bottom of the pot and clog the cloth.
Craig

i potted using shade cloth not to long ago, it blocks drainage way to much the mixture stays to wet.

hi loretta,

as others have stated shade cloth isnt the best, same with fly screen, i have tried bot wiith diatomite and even though the diat. is free draining the holes get blocked up which will raise the water table in the pot dramatically. us a proper mesh and you wont get the problem, also if you can add a larger size particle it will lower the table and become a little drier.

jamie

Members of our club who tried shadecloth found that it reduced drainage too. I found flyscreen ok for many years. Now using plastering mesh. One bonsai friend is very determined that proper bonsai mesh is the best.
I'm pleased that you are getting rid of the shadecloth.

For the info of anyone out there who is watching their pennies. I January I was in B*****gs and I came across 'TREE TUBES' plastic mesh in a pack of three for $5.43. I bought it on a guess, and when I checked at home the holes were the same size mesh as our bonsai mat. If I cut the tube up the guts, I end up with 400mmX288mm times 3. That is an awful lot of holes to be covered for 5 bucks. It can sometimes be hard to find Bonsai supplies, but most places have a hardware store. Always worth a look around.

buddaboy

Thank you every one....I repotted 5 pots today. I wont use shade cloth again

Loretta

Good girl
There is a very good reason we use Mesh for the drainage holes in Bonsai pots - it works.

(Handy hint. If you have access to a full Nylex product catalogue, check it out. Used to be right at the back....... )

Thanks Graeme and thanks everyone else

Loretta