Indoor mulch

[VAHomegrown]

I was wondering what other members use for mulch on their indoor plants.
I've been using alfalfa hay for rabbits for quite some time, and it seems to work well. The alfalfa breaks down and becomes finer after multiple waterings, and reaches a consistency where it really locks in the moisture. It also adds a nice texture to your soil if you reammend it, and allow it to cook. I'm wondering if there is a better mulch or if I should just stick with the alfalfa? FWIW I run small pots (4 gallon max) and topdress + teas etc.

 

[Idlewilder]

I used to use canna leaves after defoliating. I stopped because it was also benefitting the fungus gnats

 

[Chunky Stool]

Ground fir is probably the cheapest. I mix it with pistachio shells (soaked & rinsed).
The purpose of mulch is to keep the soil moist.

It's OK for mulch to go thru wet/dry cycles, but it's not OK for organic soil to dry out.
-- edit --
Here's how I set up organic pots...

Plants will eventually consume the food and compost layers.
Given enough time, they'll eat the mulch too (feeder roots on top).

When repotting, I usually side-dress the food and compost, then cover everything with mulch.

Hope that helps!

 

[VAHomegrown]

I used to use canna leaves after defoliating. I stopped because it was also benefitting the fungus gnats

I did the same for a long time, and I also had horrible gnat issues. I know outdoors they work as a fantastic mulch, but indoors they are a bug haven.

 

[VAHomegrown]

Ground fir is probably the cheapest. I mix it with pistachio shells (soaked & rinsed).
The purpose of mulch is to keep the soil moist.

It's OK for mulch to go thru wet/dry cycles, but it's not OK for organic soil to dry out.
-- edit --
Here's how I set up organic pots...
View attachment 176508
Plants will eventually consume the food and compost layers.
Given enough time, they'll eat the mulch too (feeder roots on top).

When repotting, I usually side-dress the food and compost, then cover everything with mulch.

Hope that helps!

Thank you! That helps quite a bit

 

[notdezmond]

I use Straw mulch, rice hulls and all my defoliation/cut up stems. Gnats were an issue for me when I was watering through my mulch. Once I started watering under the mulch it solved my gnat issue (and nematodes of course lol)

 

[Chunky Stool]

I use Straw mulch, rice hulls and all my defoliation/cut up stems. Gnats were an issue for me when I was watering through my mulch. Once I started watering under the mulch it solved my gnat issue (and nematodes of course lol) View attachment 176512

Bottom watering has many advantages, whether it's a big saucer or sub-irrigated planter.
Not only do they use less water, the top doesn't stay wet enough for fungus gnats to thrive.

I'm going to build a SIP today using a 27-gallon tote. Got some nice plants in buckets that would kick ass in a SIP!

 

[webeblzr]

The top few inches, in the pots seems to help with gnats.
I also use this as portion of my medium I mix up.
You need to wash it, some folks hate doing that, I like cheap. But I really like cheap that works well and multipul of ways.
Will soon be trying a Hempy Bucket with this stuff.

 

[webeblzr]

This was up potting day, coming out of 4" nursery pot to a 3 g.

 

[webeblzr]

This was up potting day, coming out of 4" nursery pot to a 3 g.
View attachment 178346

Well I typed above is big freaking lie!
I never go from 4" pots to 3g's, they always spend a couple of months in a 1 g first! Sorry.

 

[Rozgreenburn]

I run organic super soil, using flower Girl around the outside of my pots about 1/3 from the bottom, after I backfill around my transplants, I put down 1/2 inch of fresh EWC, and then finish with a mulch layer of hardwood mix and rice hulls. Fungus Gnats are always going to be around but, in such small numbers, I don't worry. I do leave yellow sticky traps in every area, just as an early warning. I've not had FG problems for a few years now!