Everybody In

[Carol 83]

It's been a warm fall, so I got an extra three weeks for the trops outside. They saw a few high 40's and were fine, but next week lows are dipping into the 30's, so it was time. I forgot what a PITA getting everything set up was. Funny how it doesn't seem like that much outside. I brought in the trees/plants last night and set up the shelves/lights today, ugh. Still don't have quite everything set up. Tomorrow, the hibiscus, gardenias and orange come in. The sun lovers, bougies, BRT's cherries, etc get the southern exposure. The ficus, p.afras, cuttings and other assorted get the eastern exposure.

 

[RJG2]

Question, do you water in place or bring each somewhere else to water? Just wondering how you prevent the pots from sitting in water.

I only have two shelves, but for each I put another shelf directly below with the tray - so the plants don't actually sit in the tray.

 

[RJG2]

Looking again, it seems you have some raised up, sitting on upside-down pots out something?

 

[Carol 83]

Looking again, it seems you have some raised up, sitting on upside-down pots out something?

The first few years they were inside, they just sat on the shelves, no tray. Had to take them to the sink to water individually, which sucked and they weren't getting watered as often/much as they needed. Also, husband had a shit-fit about dirt going down the drain. Last year I got the Bootstrap Farmer trays, but then I had to take everything out to dump out the excess water, so that sucked as well. So when Dallas Bonsai was going out of business, I bought a bunch of humidity trays. I turn them upside down and put the trees on top of them and the water drains off, so they aren't sitting in it.

 

[leatherback]

Just wondering how you prevent the pots from sitting in water.

Interestingly: Many of my tropicals spend the winter on top our heaters. They have trays exactly TO HOLD water: They sit in water untill it is all evaporated or drunk, which is a signal for me to bring the watering can out.

 

[Mapleminx]

Sadly I am on location the whole of November and don’t want to leave my grow lights on for the hours I am not around (paranoid about fire risks). So my trops are doomed to a month of window light. They should be ok, if anything the growth will just stagnate or legify more than usual. As long as they survive thats all that matters.

 

[leatherback]

Sadly I am on location the whole of November and don’t want to leave my grow lights on for the hours I am not around

Mine do not get growing lights most of the time. Only my 2 biggest tropical bonsai to be (one BRT, one jabuticaba) get a light during the darkest 3 months. All others make do with natural light, which results in a spectacle of growth flushing late Feb as days lengthen.

 

[RJG2]

Interestingly: Many of my tropicals spend the winter on top our heaters. They have trays exactly TO HOLD water: They sit in water untill it is all evaporated or drunk, which is a signal for me to bring the watering can out.

That is interesting.

Mine do not get growing lights most of the time. Only my 2 biggest tropical bonsai to be (one BRT, one jabuticaba) get a light during the darkest 3 months. All others make do with natural light, which results in a spectacle of growth flushing late Feb as days lengthen.

Mine are in my basement office, so definitely need the lights. My ficus especially are growing like crazy though. Even with a sphagnum moss top layer, I need to water every 1.5 days at least.

Maybe I need some organic in my tropical mix - I thought DE held enough water...

 

[ABCarve]

It's been a warm fall, so I got an extra three weeks for the trops outside. They saw a few high 40's and were fine, but next week lows are dipping into the 30's, so it was time. I forgot what a PITA getting everything set up was. Funny how it doesn't seem like that much outside. I brought in the trees/plants last night and set up the shelves/lights today, ugh. Still don't have quite everything set up. Tomorrow, the hibiscus, gardenias and orange come in. The sun lovers, bougies, BRT's cherries, etc get the southern exposure. The ficus, p.afras, cuttings and other assorted get the eastern exposure. View attachment 405820View attachment 405821

Do you treat for bugs when you bring them in?

 

[Carol 83]

Do you treat for bugs when you bring them in?

I sprayed everything with Bayer 3-1 a week ago.

 

[Flowerhouse]

I spy with my little eye.... an empty shelf???

 

[Carol 83]

I spy with my little eye.... an empty shelf???

Not for long, I'm not quite done. First frost coming this week, so I'll finish up today.

 

[Carol 83]

Interestingly: Many of my tropicals spend the winter on top our heaters. They have trays exactly TO HOLD water: They sit in water untill it is all evaporated or drunk, which is a signal for me to bring the watering can out.

I don't want my bougies sitting in water especially. And I worry the standing water could crate an insect problem. But whatever works for you.

 

[penumbra]

You're just under the radar Carol. Frost warning 3 days this week for me. After tomorrow every night this week through weekend in the low 30s.
I use Bootstrap Farmer trays almost exclusively, except for my boot trays in which my plants sit on gravel.

 

[Carol 83]

You're just under the radar Carol. Frost warning 3 days this week for me. After tomorrow every night this week through weekend in the low 30s.
I use Bootstrap Farmer trays almost exclusively, except for my boot trays in which my plants sit on gravel.

Yep, I cut it pretty close. First frost coming this week. I still have to drag in the hibiscus's, gardenias and the orange.

 

[Eckhoffw]

The first few years they were inside, they just sat on the shelves, no tray. Had to take them to the sink to water individually, which sucked and they weren't getting watered as often/much as they needed. Also, husband had a shit-fit about dirt going down the drain. Last year I got the Bootstrap Farmer trays, but then I had to take everything out to dump out the excess water, so that sucked as well. So when Dallas Bonsai was going out of business, I bought a bunch of humidity trays. I turn them upside down and put the trees on top of them and the water drains off, so they aren't sitting in it.

I’m dealing with the pains of bringing all my plants individually to the basement sink. Yes, really sucks/takes forever. I’ve been contemplating filling up big trays with gravel. The trays would have holes and also have a drainage basin beneath. So like a 2 tier tray system. It seems their is some benefits in growing on gravel.
Any thoughts?
I also am toying with gravel topped benches for outside next year.

 

[RJG2]

In which my plants sit on gravel.

I've wondered about this... Do you bother cleaning the gravel ever? I clean my trays a couple times a winter - they grow quite a bit of algae.

I thought about setting my pots on gravel in the trays, but figured it would be quite the hassle.

 

[penumbra]

I've wondered about this... Do you bother cleaning the gravel ever? I clean my trays a couple times a winter - they grow quite a bit of algae.

I thought about setting my pots on gravel in the trays, but figured it would be quite the hassle.

I use a natural color aquarium gravel that I buy at Walmart because it is cheaper there. You have a better selection at Petco or other pet stores but I like the Walmart stuff for looks and cost. I have 6 boot trays that I have this gravel in that are in highly visible areas, bedroom, office etc. Many of my smaller plants that I am growing on in 3 ans 4 inch pots do not use gravel and they are watered by putting water in the tray. The gravel tray are watered from the top of the plants. I also have trays set up with egg crating that have a reservoir under the crating that holds water. I can run a wick down into the water fpr very thirsty plants. It was in an earlier post.
I clean the gravel by rinsing with hot water once a year. If I get a little algae, I just stir the gravel.

 

[Carol 83]

Finally done. No empty shelves @Flowerhouse .

 

[Flowerhouse]

Finally done. No empty shelves

Looks great! I was thinking that the empty shelf indicated a flurry of new purchases in the near future lol.