My question is, when I start a tiny plant on a moss pole, if I water the moss pole enough that it is moist at the bottom where the plant is, the moisture from the pole also soaks into the soil/aroid mix - and thus the soil remains always wet since the moss pole is always wet, which can cause root rot in plants that like the soil to dry out. So, how can I keep the bottom of the moss pole moist without also the soil always being moist?
I use those sports water bottles with the pop top and it drains that way. I have a family member who drinks sports drinks so I collected the bottles for my plants. I do a full bottle to water pole and pot,and in between I only fill up the bottles about 3/4 of the way to only water the moss pole,it’s all trial and error. Good video Jan. 💚🪴 Natalie
@@Plantcave Same. I only remove them when I take photos, but I take the labels off a lot of my bottles, so then I might not bother removing them for photos.
I have modeled my moss poles and watering techniques after you, honestly moss poles have changed my life and plant keeping! I have around 20 of the Fiji water bottles and always keep them ready for use. There is definitely a learning curve in knowing when to water and if i need an entire bottle or half a bottle but it all seems to work itself out and isn’t so intimidating as it was in the beginning. I have not tried the plastic backed poles but should look into finding what I need here in the US. Thanks for another great video! ❤
OMG it takes me so long to get the silly bottle positioned just right so the water actually comes out. Took me way to long to realise the moss had to touch the bottle, thanks for the 'cavity' tip, that will help me.
Thanks for this video-specific only to watering moss poles. I have been caring for plants since I was 11 (over 5 decades now) and just created my first 2 moss poles using your video. 😉😉Thank you. I am learning a LOT!
I'm about to pop a reallll nice plant on my first moss pole and this video helped me feel so much more prepared. Thank you! I immediately knew you were the person I'd be able to trust to answer all of my questions.
I appreciate the surface tension tip. I’m starting to use plastic back poles and the other day I tried using the upside down bottle method and of course as soon as I put the bottle on the pole (floating above the moss) it stopped dripping. I ended up getting frustrated and just squeezed all the water out. 😂 I’ll definitely be experimenting with this. Thank you!
I cut the bottom off water bottles and just leave them on top of the poles (with holes in the lid). That way I can fill them up when I have my watering can out.
This is my second week , have repotted my poor philodendrons & wonder if they will cope , but if they don't shall start as u said , small Had trouble buying heavy pots , so my plants are sitting on the bottom , can I put pebbles on the bottom to give Roots wriggle room? Watching your videos multiple times & learn more / understand it all more each time I am having fun Judy
I only use one hole most of the time. With more than one, if moss is touching one hole but not others, the air can rush in through the free holes and dump the water out really fast. The same is true of a funnel or an open-topped bottle and you need to be careful with the size of the hole. With only one hole in a closed bottle, the water needs to be conducted away from the hole by the moss before air can get into the bottle, so it goes nice and slowly. If the moss at the top of the pole gets compacted by the bottle resting against it all the time, it takes hours. I just fluff up the moss a bit if I want it to go faster.
I have a plastic cup on top of all my moss poles, i fill the cups weekly with nutrients and then every couple of days I can quickly give each cup a quarter fill of water to keep the moss damp.
I remember seeing how you water poles a while ago and that was the only reason I was able to add them to my collection. Other methods were way too much work and spraying them felt so pointless 😅
Thanks for this. Works way better than drizzling water in there for 30 mins 😅 What is that stunning variegated plant hiding behind your monsters. Ist gorgeous!
I desperately needed this. I'm pretty sure I've over watered my Cebu and the bottom leaves are yellowing. 😢 I'm going to try and chop it and save the top half.
hi isabel:)) i've found there's a HUGE difference in fungus gnat issues with my poles filled with quality spaghnum moss (like besgrow's) and poorer quality (like a hard brick of compressed moss i bought at a pet store). I also like to mix in coco chips, and the fungus gnats seem to dislike it:)
Hi Jan. Nice and useful video! There are so many videos about how to water moss poles "effortlessly" but they all overthink it I think. Your method is way simpler, time-effective and it works! That we live in quite a humid climate in Sydney may help though. Moss poles in apartments in winter in the US or Europe may dry out so quickly! About Grow Vertical's Propstick Forty and Sixty: they have 2 rows of notches for assembly for 2 different diameters. Would you have some advice on which plants would prefer a larger or smaller diameter? I suppose it's all about their root systems. Thanks.
Good tips thanks Jan👍My plants on plastic backed poles are healthier and growing faster than the ones on plain poles. Definitely be extending them with plastic. Where did you find that stiff backing you put in your home made one or is it a grow vertical piece? Photography/ editing skills are looking good 🤩
Great Video. 👍What do you do when the roots come out of the back of the moss pole? Do you actively guide them back into the stick or do you just let them do what they want? Greetings from Germany 👋
Here’s what I’m still wondering. If the moss pole is where most of the roots live, then why do we only use moss instead of a specialized soil mix that we put in the pot?
You can totally just fill a moss pole with aroid mix, but I think moss is less work because it stays wet for longer so you won't need to water it as often
Moss has great water retention capacity & is quite mess free. My aroid mix makes a crazy mess when i use it inside a pole so i only do that for plants outside
I just constructed four, three foot moss poles, but I packed the very moist sphagnum quite tightly. Will the roots enter the densely-stuffed column? How tightly should the poles be packed when using wet moss? Does this matter? Thanks for a comment.
I’d say 6/10 on density! Dense enough so it can hold moisture but not too dense to allow a bit of airflow! Roots like oxygen & aeration as much as they like water :)!
@@sydneyplantguy Can I suggest you try and share, please? Soil wetters are great for the garden, and could be useful for the moss hydrophobic property. No pressure! :)
Very informative. Thanks so much a question I have is if I’m starting a plant with a moss pole where all the roots are in the pot to start should I still be keeping the moss moist I’m assuming yes and then I would have to water the pot like I normally do plus Ensure I am not putting too much water on the pole so it does not overwater the pot if that makes sense
Technically u only need to water the medium that contains the roots but to attract root from growing into the pole u should keep at least the bottom part of the pole moist :)
Makes sense but eventually I will have those original roots which are quite a lot in the pot as well as in the pole Just trying to figure out a way not to overwater the pot while I keep the pole moist I'll have to monitor both@@sydneyplantguy
Great technique. I faced one problem with my plants when using moss pole. my plants are not growing roots into the pole. It seems that water runs down to the pot through the pole and waters roots that are growing in the pot. Any tips how to deal with this? My plants are classic monstera deliciosa
Sounds like ur moss isn’t actually absorbing much water. Try re-wetting it slower to allow the moss to absorb the water rather than it dripping down :)
Greetings! Hope this message finds you well. Wanted to ask you as you go through your journey and your multiple moves etc. etc. have you changed your mind or are there any adjustments to your moss poles that are growing OUTSIDE in the elements? Have you tried again the chunky mix in the poles again outside… And how do they fare compared spaghum Moss ones? I am in zone 10 in Florida and wanted to see with my new poles which I should do.? I already have the moss ones ( but wondered if the chunky mix will stay moist longer) as is proposed by some others ?! Also heard never to mix the moss with aroid chunky mix … cos’ you risk root rot ?! Thanks in advance!❤️
Ive already made my moss poles based on yours..but..in SA, we are very hot and dry here. How can i attach plastic to the back of the ones already made? And what material did you use pleeeeeease 😊 Help me! Lol 😅
This is so helpful, thank you!! I can't wait to buy some of my own "real" moss poles from Grow Vertical now. I've always hated the ones that are just for support ut have been STRUGGLING to find resources for proper moss poles
I'm late to the channel so I'm not sure if you will see this, but do you water your moss poles and other plants with fertilizer even during the more dormant months fall/winter?
@@sydneyplantguygot it! i have learned so much from your channel and have built my first moss pole and repotted all of my plants. ever since i removed all store bought potting soil i haven't seen 1 fungus gnat 😭 thank you so much for all of your informative videos 🫶
You inspired me to make a moss pole for my monstera! When I was repotting my semi mature monstera to add the moss pole I buried the bottom aerial roots in the soil because I heard that it will help stabilize the plant, but I don't know if the aerial roots are happy in there, they are wobbly! Please help any advice on this?
The aerial roots can grow proper water roots eventually, just give them time :) I like to use clear pots so I can see the roots without having to take the plant out of its pot.
Hi Jan, Quick question: When you water with the bottle, do you ever get run-off from the roots/stems/leaves that drip everywhere? We seem to have that issue with a couple of our pothos on poles. We do try to keep the poles from drying out, but it's the conduit of the roots, stems, or leaves that end up making the mess.
Yea sometimes … it usually gets worse the faster the water releases so a slow release would be preferred so the moss has time to absorb the water before it runs off :)
@sydneyplantguy thank you 😊 I wasn't sure if I was just a very sloppy waterer..(which I am), or if other people experience this problem. I assume it's somewhat to be expected..or I was going to start threatening them with cutting their leaves off and make them stand in front of their plant friends with no clothes!!(not really, I'm just kidding)
Because that would make the construction & chop so much harder and it would reduce the amount of moss in the pole - less moss less room for roots & you still end up needing to top up the pvc pipe … so u don’t actually end up saving any time watering just end up spending more time making them
I have a question, what water do you use? Rain water? Could you use tap water, or would that cause problems? I live somewhere dry and rainwater is hard to come across and distilled water is sometimes pricy
How do you come about watering a moss plank? Here where I am we have 48 x 4 x 1 inch (LWH) moss planks where we grow our philos and orchids. We hang these planks because it’s easier. Bottles might be too thick to fit the 1 inch thick edge of the planks. Moss planks are similarly built to your moss pole, just rectangular.
How many and what size are the holes? Nothing comes out of mine🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤣 also, how many squares in the circumference of your poles? I think I’m making mine too big! Love your content. Very grateful 🙏🪴🪴😁
I'm going to have to figure out how to get plastic sheeting or just use cling wrap on my moss poles. Since it is starting to get cold in the states and with the heat on, it seems my moss poles dry out in 3 days.
@sydneyplantguy omg thank you for replying! So if I've made a moss pole that has the wire all the way around I can just ziptie a plastic sheet on one side over the mesh correct?
I cut the bottle in half so I can pour water directly into the bottle a bit at a time since I don’t want it to tilt. I also use a dripper at the bottom what has stake so the bottle doesn’t tip over. Your bottle technique works best for large moss poles. I think you should go through smaller poles
I've tried it this way and it still seems to water it too fast and pools in the drip tray. Any suggestions? Maybe use less water and just refill enough to wet only the pole?
I feel silly for asking but what brand of water bottle are you using? this Zephyrhills bottle I'm using just collapses so easily. also what kind of liquid pestisice are you using cause mosquito bits get trapped in the micro holes clogging them from water coming out.
So I live in Europe Netherlands and i'm started out couple months back with the mosspole adventure. Got a Monstera and Philodendron Melanochrysum but i'd also wanted to do something weird. I'm trying to get the same results with a spider plant and a Spiderwort Plant. They'll doing great. But i'm still looking for some Fertiliser/Nutrients which can provide this in the Netherland/Europe (maybe via Amazon). Since you lived in Germany i'm hoping you have an alternative for the aussie one you have.
Hello SPG! This was great. Ive got my d shaped mosspoles working pretty effectively, but i still wish i didnt have the algae that results from keeping them moist. I think you said when u were talking to Leca Queen that algae is okay; is that okay? I dont think i can keep them moist without getting the algae, but if u say algae's okay, ill stop thinking about it. I dont see any on your poles. Would u treat? Like adding a bit of peroxide occasionally?
Hey mate, avid follower from the beginning😊 I have an issue with mould growing on the sphagnum moss, am using the same brunnings brand as you and same poles. Am I doing something wrong
Tack för super bra video...mycket bra information...precis vad jag behövde . Här I sverige är de vintertid då inomhusluften är så torr även fast luftfuktare används ..tack igen😊🙏❣️
Really depends on how dry the pole is and how much moss I stuffed in the pole/how much of the water the plant is going to absorb straight away :) the volume itself isn't so important as long as you follow the principle & empty the pot in case there was any excess. You can judge by the excess water if you used to much volume & adjust next time :)
an easy way is to not let it dry by putting a water wicking string in the middle in an upside down u with the strings hanging out of the bottom into a bowl of water .The water will get siphoned up the string and keep the moss moist
There would be no problem if you water without nutrients, but if water with nutrients mix, the nutrients will continue to accumulate at the top of the moss pole. Like a filter... I think the nutrients will gradually decrease as water go to the bottom of the moss pole. What do you think?
I thought SHP meant there was a third of the pot submerged in water all the time.... I´m confused cause you say you drain your pot out and sometimes only water every 10 days.... ?
I havent had the pleasure of having viewed all your videos yet (will get there), but theres so much misinfo about semi hydro, even the definition, and maybe youll put that together for us? Ive read that technically, any set up thats soilless is in fact semi hydro. It seems less daunting that way. Also, a lot of ppl think it needs complicated setups and nutrients, but theres options like capillary wicking (pon/leca), or wick wicking… anyway, would love to hear you chatting on the matter.
So, lets say i have 2m high plant with each node rooted into pole. I forget to water it for 1 week, moss completely dray like hay. Do i kill all the roots and 1 year of work ?
I want to know how the heck you keep your pots from falling over with these ginormous moss poles! I set mine in a ceramic pot for some bottom weight.... Actually have a sprayer like that but it's a pump, but it works just fine
I don't know what I'm doing wrong using this method. The outside of the moss pole is almost never moist. My poles are 50cm per extension, 6cm in diameter and no amount of water through a bottle will moisten the moss closest to the net. The center will be moist however. If I drench the pole in the shower, the outside will dry out within a day or two and act as if it's hydrophobic. Water will drain through just fine, slowly. I've tried packing the moss a bit tighter. Having it less packed, no impact. I'm starting to think I have fake spaghnum moss at this point, or that it's impossible with my low humidity of 33% outside. I don't want to have to resort to plastic backs only to realise that won't help either 😭
@@sydneyplantguy thanks for responding. It was the sphagnum I had purchased in the end. I bought the same brand from New Zealand as you have now and the difference is extreme. White, fluffy and retains half an ocean of water. It also had way less junk in it and is way more appealing to look at overall. Thanks once again.
Thanks again for this concise gathering of valuable information, with visuals and sound effects even 😹 The only thing you might add is the mindset required to keep moss poles/ plants healthy. I think the people complaining orlooking for shortcuts/ hacks have objectified plants as something to collect for bragging rights and decor. You wouldn't bring home a new pet and not check its food and water every day would you? At least you shouldn't be confused or frustrated that the water dish keeps drying out!😹 All im saying is , you must have a passion for plants to get the results you've got Jan. 😻
Very good point and something that is very clear when I read peoples comments/questions. Most are in it for the end result & not the journey but is questionnable but each to their own :)
To tell the truth... I regret having a these plants and moss poles. It's all I do these days. I even took some down to the shadehouse to make life easier. No more plants. Never ever!!!
I don't have a single moss pole in my house, but I've watched all of your videos and I feel like I'm the biggest expert now 😂😂
Haha well ur time will come hehe :)
My question is, when I start a tiny plant on a moss pole, if I water the moss pole enough that it is moist at the bottom where the plant is, the moisture from the pole also soaks into the soil/aroid mix - and thus the soil remains always wet since the moss pole is always wet, which can cause root rot in plants that like the soil to dry out. So, how can I keep the bottom of the moss pole moist without also the soil always being moist?
I think (im no expert) by making a more chunky, maybe even a soilless mix. Some of my plants I have on mosspoles are in only orchid bark.
You could always do it outside or in the tub and put it on its side and water it that way so the water drips off instead of dripping down
I use those sports water bottles with the pop top and it drains that way. I have a family member who drinks sports drinks so I collected the bottles for my plants.
I do a full bottle to water pole and pot,and in between I only fill up the bottles about 3/4 of the way to only water the moss pole,it’s all trial and error. Good video Jan. 💚🪴 Natalie
Sounds like a great approach :) thanks !
“The water bottle is not staying there forever” …. As i look over to my dubia’s moss pole that has become one with its water bottle
😂😂
I end up leaving some of the bottles until it’s time to water again 😂
@@Plantcave Same. I only remove them when I take photos, but I take the labels off a lot of my bottles, so then I might not bother removing them for photos.
I have modeled my moss poles and watering techniques after you, honestly moss poles have changed my life and plant keeping! I have around 20 of the Fiji water bottles and always keep them ready for use. There is definitely a learning curve in knowing when to water and if i need an entire bottle or half a bottle but it all seems to work itself out and isn’t so intimidating as it was in the beginning. I have not tried the plastic backed poles but should look into finding what I need here in the US. Thanks for another great video! ❤
That’s so nice to hear :) glad it’s working :) happy growing
I love the water bottle technique. It works so well. I think 3 small holes is perfect!
That’s what I usually go for too :) super easy
OMG it takes me so long to get the silly bottle positioned just right so the water actually comes out. Took me way to long to realise the moss had to touch the bottle, thanks for the 'cavity' tip, that will help me.
Thanks for this video-specific only to watering moss poles. I have been caring for plants since I was 11 (over 5 decades now) and just created my first 2 moss poles using your video. 😉😉Thank you. I am learning a LOT!
I'm about to pop a reallll nice plant on my first moss pole and this video helped me feel so much more prepared. Thank you! I immediately knew you were the person I'd be able to trust to answer all of my questions.
Happy growing :) Thanks !!
I appreciate the surface tension tip. I’m starting to use plastic back poles and the other day I tried using the upside down bottle method and of course as soon as I put the bottle on the pole (floating above the moss) it stopped dripping. I ended up getting frustrated and just squeezed all the water out. 😂 I’ll definitely be experimenting with this. Thank you!
I cut the bottom off water bottles and just leave them on top of the poles (with holes in the lid). That way I can fill them up when I have my watering can out.
Thank you for explaining everything! I’ve been fudling around struggling with my moss poles. Your awesome!
Thanks :)
7:10 This is exactly what I was doing wrong, so now I know to put a bit more moss on top. Thank you!
Great information as usual and nice editing. Really like the multiple angles to spice it up!
Thanks :)
This is my second week , have repotted my poor philodendrons & wonder if they will cope , but if they don't shall start as u said , small
Had trouble buying heavy pots , so my plants are sitting on the bottom , can I put pebbles on the bottom to give Roots wriggle room?
Watching your videos multiple times & learn more / understand it all more each time
I am having fun
Judy
Jan, thanks for covering all the options for watering moss poles!
Thanks for watching :)
I only use one hole most of the time. With more than one, if moss is touching one hole but not others, the air can rush in through the free holes and dump the water out really fast. The same is true of a funnel or an open-topped bottle and you need to be careful with the size of the hole. With only one hole in a closed bottle, the water needs to be conducted away from the hole by the moss before air can get into the bottle, so it goes nice and slowly. If the moss at the top of the pole gets compacted by the bottle resting against it all the time, it takes hours. I just fluff up the moss a bit if I want it to go faster.
Thank you so much for your time and all tricks and tips.
Glad they are helpful :)
I have a plastic cup on top of all my moss poles, i fill the cups weekly with nutrients and then every couple of days I can quickly give each cup a quarter fill of water to keep the moss damp.
I remember seeing how you water poles a while ago and that was the only reason I was able to add them to my collection. Other methods were way too much work and spraying them felt so pointless 😅
Definitely!!! :)
Thanks for this. Works way better than drizzling water in there for 30 mins 😅
What is that stunning variegated plant hiding behind your monsters. Ist gorgeous!
Thanks :) it’s a manjula pothos :)
I desperately needed this. I'm pretty sure I've over watered my Cebu and the bottom leaves are yellowing. 😢 I'm going to try and chop it and save the top half.
I have been putting qtips at the end of the moss pole for a drip style system :)
Any issues with fungus gnats from constantly moist poles? Any treatment for that if it’s an issue?
I have 7 moss poles all lined up together,never seen a Fungus Gnat. 💚🪴
Never had any issues :) as long as u keep airflow up it should be a non issue :)
hi isabel:)) i've found there's a HUGE difference in fungus gnat issues with my poles filled with quality spaghnum moss (like besgrow's) and poorer quality (like a hard brick of compressed moss i bought at a pet store). I also like to mix in coco chips, and the fungus gnats seem to dislike it:)
Great detail info, thanks.
Hi Jan. Nice and useful video! There are so many videos about how to water moss poles "effortlessly" but they all overthink it I think. Your method is way simpler, time-effective and it works! That we live in quite a humid climate in Sydney may help though. Moss poles in apartments in winter in the US or Europe may dry out so quickly!
About Grow Vertical's Propstick Forty and Sixty: they have 2 rows of notches for assembly for 2 different diameters. Would you have some advice on which plants would prefer a larger or smaller diameter? I suppose it's all about their root systems. Thanks.
Good tips thanks Jan👍My plants on plastic backed poles are healthier and growing faster than the ones on plain poles. Definitely be extending them with plastic. Where did you find that stiff backing you put in your home made one or is it a grow vertical piece? Photography/ editing skills are looking good 🤩
It’s an old grow vertical backing :) Tim had lots leftover and gave them all to me hehe :)
@sydneyplantguy Thanks Tim! 😘
Love love your shows! Have you tried Leca? Thanks.
Great Video. 👍What do you do when the roots come out of the back of the moss pole? Do you actively guide them back into the stick or do you just let them do what they want? Greetings from Germany 👋
A bit of both :) depends on how thick the root is and if I can easily manipulate it :)
Here’s what I’m still wondering. If the moss pole is where most of the roots live, then why do we only use moss instead of a specialized soil mix that we put in the pot?
You can totally just fill a moss pole with aroid mix, but I think moss is less work because it stays wet for longer so you won't need to water it as often
Moss has great water retention capacity & is quite mess free. My aroid mix makes a crazy mess when i use it inside a pole so i only do that for plants outside
I just constructed four, three foot moss poles, but I packed the very moist sphagnum quite tightly. Will the roots enter the densely-stuffed column? How tightly should the poles be packed when using wet moss? Does this matter? Thanks for a comment.
I’d say 6/10 on density! Dense enough so it can hold moisture but not too dense to allow a bit of airflow! Roots like oxygen & aeration as much as they like water :)!
Have you ever checked if soil wetters help the hydrophobic property of the moss to resolve?
Never tried :)
@@sydneyplantguy Can I suggest you try and share, please? Soil wetters are great for the garden, and could be useful for the moss hydrophobic property. No pressure! :)
The frequency of water is something I always wondered about. Thanks ❤
Do you prefer the round moss pole, or the half circle with the plastic back?
Dependa on the environment & look i’m going for :) I have a full video in my Moss Pole Playlist comparing pros and cons of different supports
Very informative. Thanks so much a question I have is if I’m starting a plant with a moss pole where all the roots are in the pot to start should I still be keeping the moss moist I’m assuming yes and then I would have to water the pot like I normally do plus Ensure I am not putting too much water on the pole so it does not overwater the pot if that makes sense
Technically u only need to water the medium that contains the roots but to attract root from growing into the pole u should keep at least the bottom part of the pole moist :)
Makes sense but eventually I will have those original roots which are quite a lot in the pot as well as in the pole Just trying to figure out a way not to overwater the pot while I keep the pole moist I'll have to monitor both@@sydneyplantguy
Great idea! By the way, what kind of gorgeous variegated plant is that next to you?? The tall one.
That’s a manjula pothos :) thanks :)
Great technique. I faced one problem with my plants when using moss pole. my plants are not growing roots into the pole. It seems that water runs down to the pot through the pole and waters roots that are growing in the pot. Any tips how to deal with this? My plants are classic monstera deliciosa
Sounds like ur moss isn’t actually absorbing much water. Try re-wetting it slower to allow the moss to absorb the water rather than it dripping down :)
whats your opinion on self watering pot for Monstera ??
Greetings! Hope this message finds you well. Wanted to ask you as you go through your journey and your multiple moves etc. etc. have you changed your mind or are there any adjustments to your moss poles that are growing OUTSIDE in the elements? Have you tried again the chunky mix in the poles again outside… And how do they fare compared spaghum Moss ones? I am in zone 10 in Florida and wanted to see with my new poles which I should do.? I already have the moss ones ( but wondered if the chunky mix will stay moist longer) as is proposed by some others ?! Also heard never to mix the moss with aroid chunky mix … cos’ you risk root rot ?! Thanks in advance!❤️
Ive already made my moss poles based on yours..but..in SA, we are very hot and dry here. How can i attach plastic to the back of the ones already made? And what material did you use pleeeeeease 😊
Help me! Lol 😅
Do you use the water nutrients every time you water you moss pole ?
Thank you
Yes but I flush it out every month or so with just water as per recommendation on the bottle :)
Well I feel happy I'm pretty much doing the same with my Moss Poles,all my learning from you ❤
Thanks :)
This is so helpful, thank you!! I can't wait to buy some of my own "real" moss poles from Grow Vertical now. I've always hated the ones that are just for support ut have been STRUGGLING to find resources for proper moss poles
Happy growing :)
I'm late to the channel so I'm not sure if you will see this, but do you water your moss poles and other plants with fertilizer even during the more dormant months fall/winter?
Yes :) if the plant is growing, i will provide nutrients :)
@@sydneyplantguygot it! i have learned so much from your channel and have built my first moss pole and repotted all of my plants. ever since i removed all store bought potting soil i haven't seen 1 fungus gnat 😭 thank you so much for all of your informative videos 🫶
This was super helpful! Thanks!
Glad it helped :) thanks
Useful info ❤
You inspired me to make a moss pole for my monstera! When I was repotting my semi mature monstera to add the moss pole I buried the bottom aerial roots in the soil because I heard that it will help stabilize the plant, but I don't know if the aerial roots are happy in there, they are wobbly! Please help any advice on this?
The aerial roots can grow proper water roots eventually, just give them time :) I like to use clear pots so I can see the roots without having to take the plant out of its pot.
Hi Jan,
Quick question: When you water with the bottle, do you ever get run-off from the roots/stems/leaves that drip everywhere?
We seem to have that issue with a couple of our pothos on poles. We do try to keep the poles from drying out, but it's the conduit of the roots, stems, or leaves that end up making the mess.
Yea sometimes … it usually gets worse the faster the water releases so a slow release would be preferred so the moss has time to absorb the water before it runs off :)
@sydneyplantguy thank you 😊 I wasn't sure if I was just a very sloppy waterer..(which I am), or if other people experience this problem. I assume it's somewhat to be expected..or I was going to start threatening them with cutting their leaves off and make them stand in front of their plant friends with no clothes!!(not really, I'm just kidding)
Could you talk about why you don't put the PVC pipe with a wicking rope in it to self-water? Or do you also do that?
Because that would make the construction & chop so much harder and it would reduce the amount of moss in the pole - less moss less room for roots & you still end up needing to top up the pvc pipe … so u don’t actually end up saving any time watering just end up spending more time making them
Do you, or can you, reuse the extra water that drains to the bottom of the decorative pot for other plants?
Yes I use it to water my garden:)
I have a question, what water do you use? Rain water? Could you use tap water, or would that cause problems? I live somewhere dry and rainwater is hard to come across and distilled water is sometimes pricy
Excellent video! You answered all my questions!
Glad it was helpful:)
So bubbles being released slowly in the water bottle is ideal?
Yes :)
@ thanks for responding! Love your channel and have learned so much already :)
How do you come about watering a moss plank? Here where I am we have 48 x 4 x 1 inch (LWH) moss planks where we grow our philos and orchids. We hang these planks because it’s easier. Bottles might be too thick to fit the 1 inch thick edge of the planks. Moss planks are similarly built to your moss pole, just rectangular.
Maybe use a pressure sprayer instead :)
How many and what size are the holes? Nothing comes out of mine🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤣 also, how many squares in the circumference of your poles? I think I’m making mine too big! Love your content. Very grateful 🙏🪴🪴😁
Size and amount doesn’t matter, something (the moss) needs to break the surface tension of the water to release it :) 15 squares
I'm going to have to figure out how to get plastic sheeting or just use cling wrap on my moss poles. Since it is starting to get cold in the states and with the heat on, it seems my moss poles dry out in 3 days.
Did you try the cling wrap??
With the ones that are just wire and moss can I just zip tie a plastic backing over the wire on the back?
Sure can:)
@sydneyplantguy omg thank you for replying! So if I've made a moss pole that has the wire all the way around I can just ziptie a plastic sheet on one side over the mesh correct?
@@ashleyguillen4594 I'm after the same answer. And what type of plastic. Can't just be gladwrap
The only thing I don’t like the bottle technique is because so heavy and my moss pole would definitely tilt and collapse. I have plastic moss poles
I cut the bottle in half so I can pour water directly into the bottle a bit at a time since I don’t want it to tilt. I also use a dripper at the bottom what has stake so the bottle doesn’t tip over. Your bottle technique works best for large moss poles. I think you should go through smaller poles
What food fo you put in the water for the plants
Nutrients are linked in the description:)
Hi, how do you stop the water running down the side of the pole? This is a common problem for me
Don't let the pole dry out too much - dry moss is hydrophobic! Reduce the amount of water released by making smaller/less holes :)
Would you recommend mixing tree fern fibre with moss to make the pole?
You can :)
I've tried it this way and it still seems to water it too fast and pools in the drip tray. Any suggestions? Maybe use less water and just refill enough to wet only the pole?
Exactly :) nothing to do with the speed of the water but too much volume
How can you keep your moss from reviving, im drying my own moss for propagation but it keeps reviving?
And another great video. 👍 I value the knowledge you share. Thank you.
Thank you:)
Do you use the stuff in the water every time you water the mosspole?
Yes but just use water ever now and then to flush things out :)
Bonjour est-ce que vous mettez de l’engrais est quelle engrais merci
Could I have 2 or more pothos stems on one moss pole in a 16cm-20cm wide pot? Or would I need a thicker than 6cm pole & bigger pot?
I often have multiple plants on my moss poles so not a problem at all :)
I feel silly for asking but what brand of water bottle are you using? this Zephyrhills bottle I'm using just collapses so easily. also what kind of liquid pestisice are you using cause mosquito bits get trapped in the micro holes clogging them from water coming out.
They are Fiji water and I don’t use liquid pesticide :)
Should we soak the moss before making a moss pole?
Yes :)
@@sydneyplantguy thanks for the prompt reply!!
So I live in Europe Netherlands and i'm started out couple months back with the mosspole adventure. Got a Monstera and Philodendron Melanochrysum but i'd also wanted to do something weird. I'm trying to get the same results with a spider plant and a Spiderwort Plant.
They'll doing great. But i'm still looking for some Fertiliser/Nutrients which can provide this in the Netherland/Europe (maybe via Amazon).
Since you lived in Germany i'm hoping you have an alternative for the aussie one you have.
Sorry I haven’t lived in Germany in over 11 years so no idea but I’ve heard GT is coming to europe soon :)
Please show or give an update about your verrucosum❤
Hello SPG! This was great. Ive got my d shaped mosspoles working pretty effectively, but i still wish i didnt have the algae that results from keeping them moist. I think you said when u were talking to Leca Queen that algae is okay; is that okay?
I dont think i can keep them moist without getting the algae, but if u say algae's okay, ill stop thinking about it. I dont see any on your poles. Would u treat? Like adding a bit of peroxide occasionally?
Algae is perfectly fine :) if you want to avoid it, u’d need less moisture and less light … both things ur plant wants though
Hey mate, avid follower from the beginning😊 I have an issue with mould growing on the sphagnum moss, am using the same brunnings brand as you and same poles. Am I doing something wrong
Provide more airflow :)
Tack för super bra video...mycket bra information...precis vad jag behövde . Här I sverige är de vintertid då inomhusluften är så torr även fast luftfuktare används ..tack igen😊🙏❣️
Thanks :)
Yes please for skill share experience. Townsville.
What’s the size of the water bottle?
I litre
Very interesting, thanks for sharing
how much water do you use per 1 metre of moss pole
Really depends on how dry the pole is and how much moss I stuffed in the pole/how much of the water the plant is going to absorb straight away :) the volume itself isn't so important as long as you follow the principle & empty the pot in case there was any excess. You can judge by the excess water if you used to much volume & adjust next time :)
Thanks to share your experiece. You are the responsable to my velvet philodendron adiction.😅
Haha happy to take the blame :)
an easy way is to not let it dry by putting a water wicking string in the middle in an upside down u with the strings hanging out of the bottom into a bowl of water .The water will get siphoned up the string and keep the moss moist
If you are using leca hydroponics just run the string into the water resevoir under the leca
This might be a silly question but is it necessary to flush a moss pole?
I treat it like any other potting medium, so yes :)
good concise video
Thanks :)
There would be no problem if you water without nutrients, but if water with nutrients mix, the nutrients will continue to accumulate at the top of the moss pole. Like a filter...
I think the nutrients will gradually decrease as water go to the bottom of the moss pole. What do you think?
Every now and then i just use water which should flush it all through :)
@@sydneyplantguy great!
I thought SHP meant there was a third of the pot submerged in water all the time.... I´m confused cause you say you drain your pot out and sometimes only water every 10 days.... ?
I don’t do Semi-hydro :)
I havent had the pleasure of having viewed all your videos yet (will get there), but theres so much misinfo about semi hydro, even the definition, and maybe youll put that together for us? Ive read that technically, any set up thats soilless is in fact semi hydro. It seems less daunting that way. Also, a lot of ppl think it needs complicated setups and nutrients, but theres options like capillary wicking (pon/leca), or wick wicking… anyway, would love to hear you chatting on the matter.
@@sydneyplantguy Oh sorry, I am new to this and trying to get my head around it all :)
What is the plant on your left?
That's monstera siltepecana 'El Salvador'
So, lets say i have 2m high plant with each node rooted into pole. I forget to water it for 1 week, moss completely dray like hay. Do i kill all the roots and 1 year of work ?
Depends on the plant :) some are more tolerant to having their root system dry than others :)
What is in your water making it that color?
Liquid nutrients (linked in description)
I want to know how the heck you keep your pots from falling over with these ginormous moss poles! I set mine in a ceramic pot for some bottom weight.... Actually have a sprayer like that but it's a pump, but it works just fine
I made a tutorial about it just recently :)
link to that sprayer please...
I buy all my stuff in store :) it’s from bunnings :)
I don't know what I'm doing wrong using this method. The outside of the moss pole is almost never moist. My poles are 50cm per extension, 6cm in diameter and no amount of water through a bottle will moisten the moss closest to the net. The center will be moist however.
If I drench the pole in the shower, the outside will dry out within a day or two and act as if it's hydrophobic. Water will drain through just fine, slowly.
I've tried packing the moss a bit tighter. Having it less packed, no impact.
I'm starting to think I have fake spaghnum moss at this point, or that it's impossible with my low humidity of 33% outside.
I don't want to have to resort to plastic backs only to realise that won't help either 😭
Mmm sounds like you’re doing everything correct. It’s probably the humidity that’s causing you to have issues
@@sydneyplantguy thanks for responding. It was the sphagnum I had purchased in the end. I bought the same brand from New Zealand as you have now and the difference is extreme. White, fluffy and retains half an ocean of water. It also had way less junk in it and is way more appealing to look at overall. Thanks once again.
I was having the same problem - in canada, either heat is on or a/c… things have improved for me since i switched over to the d shaped moss poles.
I have rigged a couple of mine with an IV drip. Works a treat!!
hahahh that's genius!
What kind of vitamin do you used for your plant? Maybe u can share your video link😂
It’s in the description :)
I am going to put my plants on moss pole finally ….wish me luck … it’s going to be a Thai monstera … manjula pothos and a monstera aurea
Happy growing :)
Thanks again for this concise gathering of valuable information, with visuals and sound effects even 😹 The only thing you might add is the mindset required to keep moss poles/ plants healthy. I think the people complaining orlooking for shortcuts/ hacks have objectified plants as something to collect for bragging rights and decor. You wouldn't bring home a new pet and not check its food and water every day would you? At least you shouldn't be confused or frustrated that the water dish keeps drying out!😹 All im saying is , you must have a passion for plants to get the results you've got Jan. 😻
Very good point and something that is very clear when I read peoples comments/questions. Most are in it for the end result & not the journey but is questionnable but each to their own :)
I love your channel! 💚 random question: what is your zodiac sign? 😂🤣
Thanks :) i’m sure you can guess I’m a virgo :D
6:50 almost half of the video is sponsor block 😅
To tell the truth... I regret having a these plants and moss poles. It's all I do these days. I even took some down to the shadehouse to make life easier. No more plants. Never ever!!!
Maybe u just had too many :)
This was vwry helpful thank you 🫶
Thanks :)
Will a plant root in the moss pole if it’s dry?
No, it might use it as an anchor but won’t build a proper root system
12:09
😂😂