I think use of moss poles will work for people who have the time to keep the moss moist. I work full-time and study part-time, and had poor experience with moss poles.
The homemade moss poles with the chicken fence are an eyesore, just my personal taste and the store-bought with coco coir are kind of expensive for what you're getting, so all the other alternatives are right up my alley! Thank you, Ashley!
@@GardeningInCanada The homemade ones? Maybe so but it's just not for me and too hard to keep all that sphagnum moss damp living in the semi-desert of the BC Interior.
Just wanted to comment that I’m absolutely in love with your channel. I’m a student for zootechnics (also a plant addicted) and we have loads of soil management classes, so to be able watch such scientific takes on soil and house planting is fascinating! Thanks for your videos!
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your work, Ashley. Thank you so much. I have noticed that my ancient pothos will glue itself to my kitchen wall, and this since I repainted with a matte paint that has a bit of texture to it. Clever pothos. I am delighted to find out that I can make my plants’ lives better with thoughtful choices of support. ❤🇨🇦
Hi Ashley, I got 5 thick Vine Maple pieces about 6’ tall with the bark attached. I’m looking forward to see how my Monstera, Pathos and Alocasia like them.
I have a scindapsis exotica climbing a big willow branch I got for cheap at the garden store. I've secured a few vines with plant tape, but it obviously likes it. Moss poles are nice for air layering if you can keep them wet. I prefer good support (like the branch) then sealing moss in plastic wrap around the nodes I want to root (requires less watering).
Thank you for this, Ashley! If I may ask you a question, I just checked my new tomato seedlings that I potted on yesterday. They're 20 days old. Weird...the undersides of their leaves are PURPLE!. Why? What does this mean or are they aliens sent to make me crazy? Thank You Very Much
Have you experimented at all with the moss poles that you manually fill up with moss? I've been using the d-shaped plastic poles and filling them with sphagnum moss (instead of the coco coir that's usually wrapped around the other ones), and I've found that because there's so much less exposed surface area, they retain moisture super well! My philodendron glorious and splendid seem to really love it.
Hopefully this doesn’t come across as rude but, when were coco coir poles considered “true moss poles”? A moss pole is exactly what it sounds like- a pole filled with moss. The actual structure of the pole could be hard wire or plastic, but it has the same effect. It creates a stable surface for the plants to climb and gaps for aerial roots to grab and then grow into. Coco coir is not moss and shouldn’t be considered as such. You’re calling what actually is a moss pole a “hybrid”. Aerial roots seek out nooks and crannies, not just for support but for moisture and nutrients. The nooks and crannies of a tree is going to have these two things in abundance compared to the regular surface of the tree. This is due to the fact that it is not receiving as much airflow as the surface of the tree would receive. Moss poles combine stability with moisture and nutrients. You also referred to your pole as having sphagnum moss on it, but it appears to be coco coir. It’s important to remember that not all aroids are the same, and not all aerial roots are seeking the forest floor. Planks (or any wood structure) and moss poles have pros and cons like anything else and work great for some aroids and not for others. You used monsteras in your aerial root example- which indeed are seeking the forest floor, but something like a scindapsus is not looking for that. They are shingling plants and use their aerial roots to grip the surface they are growing on to climb up, gathering water and nutrients being an added bonus. Their aerial roots only grow to a length that will enable them to attach and climb. Planks are great and can look stunning but lack in practicality for indoor growers. Once the plant reaches the top it will start reverting in size and the whole point of growing it upwards is ruined. You’d have to air layer the plant before it reaches the top to capture that maturity, chop it, and put it on a new plank to continue growth. Then try to figure out what to do with the rest of the plant that’s still on the plank. Not to mention it takes diligent misting of the plank for the aerial roots to be Intrested in attaching- especially for philodendrons. This is because our homes are much drier and don’t have the appropriate environment to retain moisture like a tree in nature would. Moss poles are much easier in that they stay moist for longer, and you already have a root system growing in the moss. So you can just chop and prop your plant into a new pot and continue mature growth, adding new sections of moss pole until the next chop. The sections of moss pole are also really easy to attach to each other, and manageable in size. So if you don’t have room and need to sell an old section, it can easily be transported and sold to someone who wants the plant. Planks and other wood structures are generally heavier and awkward to transport. They are very aesthetically pleasing, but lack the functionality a moss pole provides.
had no clue what plank or pole was !! thanks for this one !! Always raising the bar IMO ! I love this channel ! I don't even have any plants that would use either of them . But now I want some lol
Besides Hoyas, I don't think I've every see an aroid travel around the circumference of its support even if it was a smaller than 4". Instead, it just travels upwards instead of taking the round about scenic route. I am firmly in the camp of moss poles specifically d-shaped ones. I find it's dual purpose of support and airlayering advantageous roots to make the most sense in my arid environment. It's not very pretty and it's a lot of work to keep the moss moist to encourage anchoring but it's so worth IME
I agree the only ones that go around and up in my experience are ones the exert circumnutation. other then that’s the root climbers are about straight and efficient
Yeah, my attempt to secure my Anthurium did not work too well for her. It is not quite large enough so she still has quite the curvy figure. I would guess the stem is 14-15 inches long and quite "robust." So, I think she does appreciate that little support for now just from the thick stem and quite vigorous growth. There are 3 distinct babies around her that I may separate from momma before they get too attached to each other.
@@GardeningInCanada Not really, no, the spathe and leaves still last a good 2-3 months. The only noticeable change has been the size of the leaves. They are actually quite small compared to when I first got her. Which could be due to slightly different intensity and duration of light she was used to.
I love your scientific videos because there are basicly just anecdotes out there. Sometimes i guess not wholistic like the peat videos. I could only find the pro peat side. Here I miss the whole humidity part and relationship to dirt and mosses on the bark. I have 60% humidity and air roots just die off. No matter if it is a plain plank, a plank with jute or a big chunk of bark from the terrarium shop.
For this clips there are the ones I am using geni.us/LBe10
Thank you for explaining this so effectively, efficiently and so easily.
I love the “glueing stone on a plank.” Thanks for the info. it’s much appreciated!
I would just glue it to the board and then make kind of a rock wall the climb type thing
@@GardeningInCanada What a cool idea!
Did you try drilling holes into a plank? I did, and my Cebu Blue loved it!
I think use of moss poles will work for people who have the time to keep the moss moist. I work full-time and study part-time, and had poor experience with moss poles.
I just can’t keep the them wet to save my life lol
The homemade moss poles with the chicken fence are an eyesore, just my personal taste and the store-bought with coco coir are kind of expensive for what you're getting, so all the other alternatives are right up my alley! Thank you, Ashley!
Those are perfect with the mesh because they have that structure
@@GardeningInCanada The homemade ones? Maybe so but it's just not for me and too hard to keep all that sphagnum moss damp living in the semi-desert of the BC Interior.
Amazing video! Eye opening and very informative! Thanks Ashley!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Just wanted to comment that I’m absolutely in love with your channel. I’m a student for zootechnics (also a plant addicted) and we have loads of soil management classes, so to be able watch such scientific takes on soil and house planting is fascinating! Thanks for your videos!
I think Sydney Plant Guy has thrown a wrench in all our prior ideas. Also, propagation plays a role in what you choose.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your work, Ashley. Thank you so much. I have noticed that my ancient pothos will glue itself to my kitchen wall, and this since I repainted with a matte paint that has a bit of texture to it. Clever pothos. I am delighted to find out that I can make my plants’ lives better with thoughtful choices of support. ❤🇨🇦
Pothos definitely do not like to give up lol
Hi Ashley, I got 5 thick Vine Maple pieces about 6’ tall with the bark attached. I’m looking forward to see how my Monstera, Pathos and Alocasia like them.
I have a scindapsis exotica climbing a big willow branch I got for cheap at the garden store. I've secured a few vines with plant tape, but it obviously likes it. Moss poles are nice for air layering if you can keep them wet. I prefer good support (like the branch) then sealing moss in plastic wrap around the nodes I want to root (requires less watering).
Thank you for this, Ashley! If I may ask you a question, I just checked my new tomato seedlings that I potted on yesterday. They're 20 days old. Weird...the undersides of their leaves are PURPLE!. Why? What does this mean or are they aliens sent to make me crazy? Thank You Very Much
Have you experimented at all with the moss poles that you manually fill up with moss? I've been using the d-shaped plastic poles and filling them with sphagnum moss (instead of the coco coir that's usually wrapped around the other ones), and I've found that because there's so much less exposed surface area, they retain moisture super well! My philodendron glorious and splendid seem to really love it.
interesting! that is a good idea
Hopefully this doesn’t come across as rude but, when were coco coir poles considered “true moss poles”? A moss pole is exactly what it sounds like- a pole filled with moss. The actual structure of the pole could be hard wire or plastic, but it has the same effect. It creates a stable surface for the plants to climb and gaps for aerial roots to grab and then grow into. Coco coir is not moss and shouldn’t be considered as such. You’re calling what actually is a moss pole a “hybrid”.
Aerial roots seek out nooks and crannies, not just for support but for moisture and nutrients. The nooks and crannies of a tree is going to have these two things in abundance compared to the regular surface of the tree. This is due to the fact that it is not receiving as much airflow as the surface of the tree would receive. Moss poles combine stability with moisture and nutrients.
You also referred to your pole as having sphagnum moss on it, but it appears to be coco coir.
It’s important to remember that not all aroids are the same, and not all aerial roots are seeking the forest floor. Planks (or any wood structure) and moss poles have pros and cons like anything else and work great for some aroids and not for others. You used monsteras in your aerial root example- which indeed are seeking the forest floor, but something like a scindapsus is not looking for that. They are shingling plants and use their aerial roots to grip the surface they are growing on to climb up, gathering water and nutrients being an added bonus. Their aerial roots only grow to a length that will enable them to attach and climb. Planks are great and can look stunning but lack in practicality for indoor growers. Once the plant reaches the top it will start reverting in size and the whole point of growing it upwards is ruined. You’d have to air layer the plant before it reaches the top to capture that maturity, chop it, and put it on a new plank to continue growth. Then try to figure out what to do with the rest of the plant that’s still on the plank. Not to mention it takes diligent misting of the plank for the aerial roots to be Intrested in attaching- especially for philodendrons. This is because our homes are much drier and don’t have the appropriate environment to retain moisture like a tree in nature would. Moss poles are much easier in that they stay moist for longer, and you already have a root system growing in the moss. So you can just chop and prop your plant into a new pot and continue mature growth, adding new sections of moss pole until the next chop. The sections of moss pole are also really easy to attach to each other, and manageable in size. So if you don’t have room and need to sell an old section, it can easily be transported and sold to someone who wants the plant. Planks and other wood structures are generally heavier and awkward to transport. They are very aesthetically pleasing, but lack the functionality a moss pole provides.
had no clue what plank or pole was !! thanks for this one !! Always raising the bar IMO ! I love this channel ! I don't even have any plants that would use either of them . But now I want some lol
Glad you enjoy it!
Super helpful! Thanks so much!
No problem!
Besides Hoyas, I don't think I've every see an aroid travel around the circumference of its support even if it was a smaller than 4". Instead, it just travels upwards instead of taking the round about scenic route. I am firmly in the camp of moss poles specifically d-shaped ones. I find it's dual purpose of support and airlayering advantageous roots to make the most sense in my arid environment. It's not very pretty and it's a lot of work to keep the moss moist to encourage anchoring but it's so worth IME
I agree the only ones that go around and up in my experience are ones the exert circumnutation. other then that’s the root climbers are about straight and efficient
Great info Professor!!!
Glad you think so!
what do you think of challa wood? as it has holes?
Thank works good! Cork bark is another one.
Yeah, my attempt to secure my Anthurium did not work too well for her. It is not quite large enough so she still has quite the curvy figure. I would guess the stem is 14-15 inches long and quite "robust." So, I think she does appreciate that little support for now just from the thick stem and quite vigorous growth. There are 3 distinct babies around her that I may separate from momma before they get too attached to each other.
That is interesting. Did you see poor growth or did some leaves die back?
@@GardeningInCanada Not really, no, the spathe and leaves still last a good 2-3 months. The only noticeable change has been the size of the leaves. They are actually quite small compared to when I first got her. Which could be due to slightly different intensity and duration of light she was used to.
I love your scientific videos because there are basicly just anecdotes out there. Sometimes i guess not wholistic like the peat videos. I could only find the pro peat side. Here I miss the whole humidity part and relationship to dirt and mosses on the bark. I have 60% humidity and air roots just die off. No matter if it is a plain plank, a plank with jute or a big chunk of bark from the terrarium shop.
That cork bark stuff is awesome! I used to keep reptiles and i used that stuff everywhere
That's not a moss pole. That's a coir pole. Big difference. Coir pole is trash.
Exactly. Make it make sense😭
nice video.
i'm thinking of using a bamboo stake
I have used those in the past
@@GardeningInCanada favourable results????
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