Shade vs wet

[RoadManDenDron]

So after a couple years with some fungal issues and under guidance from a number of professionals in the UK, I decided to build a roof over a couple of my benches to protect my conifers from the biblical rains we get in the UK

I finished it yesterday, just before a big storm, and it kept my trees dry! Success!

However,

Today is pretty bright and sunny and I can see my trees are pretty shaded under the PVC roof

looking for ideas and advice really,

It's autumn anyway and I plan to take the roof away once all the rain has stopped, but realistically I could be looking at 9 months sheltered and 3 months full sun!

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

There are plastics available for greenhouses that should let most of the light through.

We get a bunch of rain too, but I adjust my soils to that weather and I haven't seen any issues regarding fungi in the past two years. No covers whatsoever.

 

[RoadManDenDron]

I am gradually adjusting my soil, one year at a time

But as many of these are recently collected they generally still have native soil around the core

Forgive my ignorance but I was led to believe the wet foliage was to blame for fungus such as tip blight and needle cast?

BTW looking forward to see the results next spring from the trees I inoculated!

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

wet foliage was to blame for fungus such as tip blight and needle cast?

It can play a part but as long as there's dew formation and foliage respiring, there is enough moisture for the spores of these fungi to germinate.
In rainy areas these diseases are more prevalent because there's a higher chance of any random spore germinating, that's mostly a numbers game.

But.. I do have to note that more rain also can help wash off ungerminated spores. And plastics that can become static, will attract more dust and spores from the air.
There's no harm in rain cover! But from a biologist standpoint it's a double edged sword.

If you can get rain barrels, do get those! My plants love the summer tap water minerals being flushed out by the rains.

 

[RoadManDenDron]

If you can get rain barrels,

Thats the next plan! Thanks for the suggestion

I guess I'll just have to see how it plays out come spring! I was thinking of it as a short term measure but reality hit me hard!

 

[WNC Bonsai]

I’d repot in a well draining mix such as pumice with maybe a small amount of pine bark for CEC. Then treat proactively with whatever systemic fungicide you can get over there. I’d ask Corin at Greenwood Bonsai how he gets his trees through the wet months.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I’d repot in a well draining mix such as pumice with maybe a small amount of pine bark for CEC. Then treat proactively with whatever systemic fungicide you can get over there. I’d ask Corin at Greenwood Bonsai how he gets his trees through the wet months.

I gave Roadman some fungi to inoculate his soils with. Any systemics would destroy them.
My pines that have these fungi in their pots don't get any needle cast or blights, except for a needle or two. I believe these fungi are keeping them away by producing their own systemics.

 

[leatherback]

I’d ask Corin at Greenwood Bonsai how he gets his trees through the wet months.

Was at this place a few weeks ago. Considering the volume of trees i do not see a reasonable way to shelter them.

I have not sheltered my junipers or pines every, and do not encounter significant problems due to it. In the end, junipers and pines in the landscape also stay in the rain.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Was at this place a few weeks ago. Considering the volume of trees i do not see a reasonable way to shelter them.

I have not sheltered my junipers or pines every, and do not encounter significant problems due to it. In the end, junipers and pines in the landscape also stay in the rain.

Exactly! Im know he tends to use a lot of akadama so pretty well drained. I think he mainly uses his greenhouse for post repotting an heavy pruning care. However he may have some suggestions as to how to keep fungus under control in wet, humid conditions.