Bonsai forum

  • Page:
  • 1

TOPIC:

Water indicator plants ? 5 years 11 months ago #39115

  • ClinShane
  • ClinShane's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 15
  • Thanks received: 6
Hi new to the forum love it .
Anyone use a companion plant to help gauge water needs ?
What I was thinking is three different size pots with plants that wilt easily. When I see first signs of stress I will water all my bonsai .
Or is there any plants I can put in the pots with the bonsai ?

I’m thinking of trying basil in bonsai soil .

Do companion pots have a function in traditional bonsai or only looks .
Any thoughts?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Water indicator plants ? 5 years 11 months ago #39122

  • Auk
  • Auk's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 6097
  • Thanks received: 1791
The plants will have different watering needs than your trees

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Water indicator plants ? 5 years 11 months ago #39130

  • leatherback
  • leatherback's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 8620
  • Thanks received: 3653
I do not use it. I look at the substrate of my bonsai, and/or the weather. By now I know whether I will need to water not before going to my plants.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Water indicator plants ? 5 years 11 months ago #39135

  • ClinShane
  • ClinShane's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 15
  • Thanks received: 6
You water all your trees at different times?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Water indicator plants ? 5 years 11 months ago #39136

  • Clicio
  • Clicio's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 3555
  • Thanks received: 1549

You water all your trees at different times?


Well, yes.
Not at different times, but some need watering twice a day, others every week and so on.
I do two visits, one in the morning, the other at sunset to verify watering needs of all plants. And then I water the ones that need it.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Water indicator plants ? 5 years 11 months ago #39137

  • Madartej21
  • Madartej21's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 409
  • Thanks received: 102

You water all your trees at different times?


Of course.

Even though I don't have many trees, there is one I need to water twice a day nowadays, then there is another that I water roughly once a week.

Different size of pots and different substrates require different care.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Water indicator plants ? 5 years 11 months ago #39140

  • ClinShane
  • ClinShane's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 15
  • Thanks received: 6
Hmmmm
I thought maybe the substrate would be adjusted at repot time . I have been adding more water retentive ingredients to smaller pots in hopes of no more than once a day watering
And I guess you could call all my trees pre bonsai because I use oversized pots for every tree because I only have the evening to water . I also live in the desert of West Texas so summertime is brutal .

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Last edit: Post by ClinShane.

Water indicator plants ? 5 years 11 months ago #39141

  • ClinShane
  • ClinShane's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 15
  • Thanks received: 6
It is very hard for me to look at the substrate and tell if it is dry because the top is almost always dry . I have yet to even grow moss at all . Transplanted moss just turns brown .
One little trick that helped me with s native desert plant is I placed a rock and I lift it to see if any moisture is visible by color.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Water indicator plants ? 5 years 11 months ago #39143

  • crent89
  • crent89's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 482
  • Thanks received: 230

It is very hard for me to look at the substrate and tell if it is dry because the top is almost always dry . I have yet to even grow moss at all . Transplanted moss just turns brown .
One little trick that helped me with s native desert plant is I placed a rock and I lift it to see if any moisture is visible by color.


i live in southern California where temps can get as high as 107*F so watering does happen 3 times a day on certain trees. Before getting to know my trees i use to stick my finger about 1/2"-1" or a chop stick into the soil and feel for moisture or color change on the chop stick. i have my trees located in a place where they only receive morning sun and get shade in the mid day when heat is intense. There are weeks i water 2 or 3 times a day and weeks i water once a day.
The following user(s) said Thank You: ClinShane

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Water indicator plants ? 5 years 11 months ago #39234

  • Ivan Mann
  • Ivan Mann's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 1733
  • Thanks received: 600
Last week the Hong Kong Orchid tree's leaves were wilting when I got home, but the weeds in the same pot were growing fine. Don't trust the other plants.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Page:
  • 1