Theories please plants on the ground or on table racks, for plant health issue...

Bonz

I made a thread about tables, racks for these plants. I have desert roses and am in Florida at the moment. My husband says if I put these potted plants some bonsai some not yet on a rack the plants will fry to death in the summer months. Now I know all about the in's and outs of draining soils and moisture but he feels if I keep the containers on the ground they stand a much better chance of survival.
I see all the nurseries have the racks. I am sure that part of the reasoning is ease of working witht ehse plants and the air circulating all around the plants.
Is one way better than the other?
Other than the draining/working aspect is it better to have them in the air?
Thanks.

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Jay

Bonz, I'm sure someone from your local will give you better info but even in Vermont I can see some reasons for tables. Up off the ground, away from critters, dogs cats and crawler stuff...not to mention little kids and people who might kick them. It is easier to water and to view your trees when they are closer to you. Table tops that are too hot or sunny can be shaded with use of shade cloth etc.

Again someone from your area will give you much more input.

Jay

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Bonz

I see and hear everything on both really. I'm really wondering if there is a better way for the health of the plant to be up or on the ground.

Greth

My shadehouse has both tables and groundspace. I put the things which need to stay damp at ground level, tougher things go on the tables. Cuttings and seeds go on the tables for ease of working, but they have dishes to retain water. At ground level it is damper, I even have frogs living around my pots in an arid climate.

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soltan

When I was concerned about high temps it was shown to me that the concrete floor of my shade house was a few degrees cooler than the shelves.

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AMKhalid

the ground might be a good temporary solution during extreme conditions, but if the opportunity is there, use benches. I have had to use the ground for a couple years because I had no choice (Im a student bonsaiist) and I hate it. I have lots of insect problems, the most notable being a monstrous ant nest occupying the entire pot of my citrus tree... i had to bare root the poor thing to get rid of it.

So horitculturally, I would say that the isolation and air circulation provided by raised benches is beneficial to potted plants. When you factor in the aesthetic and functional benefits of having plants chest high or so, it seems like benches are the best solution.

good luck

Greth

Extreme conditions are fairly standard for our summers! The hot north winds can dry out pot plants in a few hours. In the colder months I would prefer the benches, for the reasons you mention, but in summer my more water hungry things need to huddle together in as much dampness as they can find. Slugs and snails are worse at ground level, but possums prefer to eat high up, so I can't win with pests. The frogs and resident lizard are probably eating the ground pests. I have the possums excluded for now, so things are actually surviving.
I'm actually cheating here, there are plants on wire benches, and another layer of plants below at ground level. They get less sun, but they still get a bit as it slants in from the north. Husband is building me another shadehouse, I got a space issue!
The benches are made of stainless steel mesh, which we got for free. At the far end I have a double sink, again stainless, which I use as my potting area. I keep an aluminium tub with about an inch of water in the bottom next to the sink, so I can plunge water my plants immediately after potting. Saves me from running off to answer the phone or change the baby and forgetting to water things. They stay in the water until the next morning, when I lift them out to drain and do my next round of potting.

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Graydon

My back tells me to use benches and shelves. I may have less than 12 out of a hundred pots on the ground and that is because I need another bench. I know your weather as I'm in Florida also - here's my thoughts :

I don't think there would be a benefit in your case to keeping anything on the ground (other than agreeing with the husband). For starters it too low to appreciate it (one reason we do this is to be able to appreciate out efforts). I can agree with the other posters that it would also give easier access to the late night critters like raccoons and opossums as well. Too easy to stumble over and damage if a person is not aware of them or just plain clumsy.

A good reason to keep a potted plant on the ground is to allow the roots to escape from the pot and go into the soil. That will accelerate the growth as needed.

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Greth

Most of my plants are herbs and vegetables. I dont need to look at them everyday, but they need moisture, hence they live low down.For my bonsai, they have only had a few weeks in pots, I am not sure yet that they will survive and do well. So I check them daily. Actually I think most are pretty tough, and once we get thru this first stage I can put them in a corner and ignore them.I dont have many visitors, so it isnt too important to keep things aesthetic.
The basic question is which ones are healthier?, well, the mints and veggies are doing really well on the ground. On the benches I keep dryzone plants, they get heaps of sun, well drained and few pests, but on a hot day they suffer. At this time (my summer) I would say that the ground plants are happier, but if you asked again in winter I would think the bench plants have a better life. The only way to help your plants is to look at them regularly and consider what conditions you can provide.

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