Massive change in climate conditions

[Fish]

Hi all,

Just wanted to know if anyone has had any "lesson learnt" from dramatic freaks of nature. Up here in Cairns I have been making sure that most of my stock has got plenty of water and good drainage etc, but coming up to wet season, I don't want them getting too much water retained in the soil and therefore causing dramas to the health of the little buggers (and before anyone says don't leave them in the rain, the house I rent gets a great wind up the side of the hill, and nowhere is dry). After all I am the one raising them, don't want my babies hurt..
Even the humidity is a bit of a problem, one day we go from 50% to 98% without warning, poor old Liquidambar didn't like that the first time. So what have you learnt from any freak changes like frost, snow, mass water etc. Like to know what you have done to accommodate it.

Fish

[rch003]

Yeah we have been getting about 4 storms per night on the sunshine coast, i thought mine were ok but the soil has turned into a slush, realising my 30+cm pots only have a centre drainage hole

Putting them in the sun to dry out, although both my trident maples' new immature leaves are turning black and shriveling up, can only be linked to over watering D:

Not sure about the wind, massive gum tree blew over around the corner, hope my trees can withstand it

[Fish]

so what your saying rch003 is sit and hope for the best... When we get our wet, we wont have any sun to dry them out, so here is hoping they dont get punished too much

[rch003]

If you can, maybe put them under cover during the heavy rains, or something, if possible, TRY to keep the moisture levels the same, either by letting them get rained on once every second day or hiding them and manual watering them?

[Fish]

thats what i have been thinking, I am actually measuring up for a tarp wind break on the deck, going to be hard to secure it though. Kiss the sky and hope Huey looks after me..

Fish

[Glenda]

Fish,

Since changing my soil over to diatomite or diatomite mixed with potting mix, I have never lost a plant to too much water. I can safely leave them out in all our monsoonal rain and not worry, as the diatomite drains very quickly, yet retains enough moisture for the plant. I do find during the hot weather I need to water twice a day if it is not raining. Best move I ever made

Glenda

[Fish]

cool great tip Glenda, thanks mate, might have to do that before your rain comes back to us. How you going down there anyway

[Glenda]

cool great tip Glenda, thanks mate, might have to do that before your rain comes back to us. How you going down there anyway

We have been dry for a week now. Hot and humid. Yesterday and today is so hot and humid you only poke your nose outside when absolutely necessary.

What about you?

Glenda

[rch003]

Yeah thanks as well

I just liquid fertilised my trees as well, will the rain push it deep into the roots or wash it all away.

(Potting mix, bonsai mix and fine sand, with some local clay type dirt)

[Fish]

I would watch the clay content, I had similar mix when I started, but it did both scenarios, clumped the soil, no water, washed out and reduced the ratio in the mix, buggered the soil. Just a caution note, may not happen to you, I might have just stuffed the ratios myself..

Fish

Yeah thanks as well

I just liquid fertilised my trees as well, will the rain push it deep into the roots or wash it all away.

(Potting mix, bonsai mix and fine sand, with some local clay type dirt)

[rch003]

Yeah it was only about a cup of clay in a 2 foot x 1 foot styrofoam box, the potting mix etc aleady has water granules hmm, clouds are thickening up now, i will bring them under the house

[Fish]

cool, speak of the big cloudy devil, hope you come out on top, looks like there is a bit coming your way..

All the best
Fish

[rch003]

Yeah more storms and rain atm.

Moved my maples under the house and let the juniper, figs and azalea outside because they ave better drainage.

I didn't have a decent pot for a fig, so i cut massive holes and slits all way around an ice cream container, hopefully that will work well

[Fish]

thats thinking on the go mate. Just do me a favour and keep the rain for a bit more, mum needs to drive soon, cant have her trapped here longer...lolol

Fish

[rch003]

hahha sureee mate

Yeah i don't think the cold will be a problem, just the excess or lack of ran then stinking hot sun :/

south east was in drought till like october, now every dam is over flowing