Who uses mulch on indoor plants?

So, if there's one thing I've learned in gardening, it's that mulching your plants wether it be with compost or woodchips or whatever, is probably the single best thing you can do for your plants. It retains a lot of moisture in the soil, cools the top layer of roots so the don't die off, outdoors it drives the worms crazy! I also find that when bottom watering, Diatomaceous Earth can be mixed in with the mulch to prevent those SORRY ASS gnats that are so troublesome.

I don't however see many people using any sort of mulch on their indoor or outdoor potted plants... Why is this? I personally like all the benefits of mulch, and see no real drawbacks to using it. If there are some, and I just haven't realized it, please fill me in. All feedback is appreciated.

I've been thinking about using the really stringy coco to mulch with on indoor plants.

I generally stick to triple shredded wood mulch that is un-dyed (obviously chemical dyes can be detrimental to your grow). If worried about any nasties in the mulch, I'll soak and sterilize in the oven @ 200 degrees for an hour or so depending on how thick the layer is in the tray. The long coco fibers sound like a good inert material to mulch with as well. Thanks Hank, I say do it!

Anyone else?

Diotemaceous earth is a god send. I'm going to add some to my grow right now! For reals! This stuff prevents all kinds of pests and its 100% organic! Thanks for reminding me.

NP matey! For anyone new to growing and pest control, DE only works if you keep it dry! Water from the bottom only when using! It is microscopically RAZOR SHARP and literally shreds any bug that crawls over it, but clumps together and loses effectiveness if it gets wet.

I use "Hydroton" (clay pebbles used in hydroculture) to reduce evaporation, heat dissipation, erosion (keeps soil in place), prevent dry crust formation on soil surface and bug control. Does not break down when nutes in solution are added (fertilizing) which I found can alter pH...Need to rinse dust off before use...I have also heard of perlite being used as a topping (mulch)...I have not seen it used. I would think that perlite would be difficult to manage when watering and when using fans...FWIW

Natural Gas said:

I use "Hydroton" (clay pebbles used in hydroculture) to reduce evaporation, heat dissipation, erosion (keeps soil in place), prevent dry crust formation on soil surface and bug control. Does not break down when nutes in solution are added (fertilizing) which I found can alter pH...Need to rinse dust off before use...I have also heard of perlite being used as a topping (mulch)...I have not seen it used. I would think that perlite would be difficult to manage when watering and when using fans...FWIW

Click to expand...

The perlite works ok. I put a layer of perlite on the bottom of the pot and a layer on the top. Keeps moisture in the soil longer, and helps with pest. They don't like to crawl through it. The fans don't blow it around. But you do have to be gentle when watering. Unless you water from the bottom.

Thanks guys, anyone else? I also like the layer of perlite on the bottom.

I use seven gallon smart pots filled to the brim with my own soil mix which differs depending on the strain I am growing...Haze strains I find are particularly nute sensitive...I want to develop root structure...So no voids...No perlite layer on the bottom...JMHO...FWIW

Natural Gas said:

I use seven gallon smart pots filled to the brim with my own soil mix which differs depending on the strain I am growing...Haze strains I find are particularly nute sensitive...I want to develop root structure...So no voids...No perlite layer on the bottom...JMHO...FWIW

Click to expand...

I do however use perlite, about 1-2% of the total potting soil volume...I have not looked at commercial mixes for quite a while but I remember being aware that the composition of those mixes was visually low in perlite when I was using Miracle Grow...Again, FWIW

Note taken. I don't fert the water I use, I use supersoil with RO water, so I always leave an inch or two at the top of the pot. It initially holds the mulch, but then allows me to remove it and have room to top dress with a bit more supersoil in case I vegged a bit long and I get some yellowing going on. Thanks for your 2 cents!

i would think compost would be better.