River Rocks vs Wood Chips vs ...

[lmnop5092]

What do you guys use as a good mulch for the top of the soil?
First time doin super soil and was trying to figure out what's a good mulch

 

[AlecTheGardener]

Indoors I use about 1" of hydroton for my 'mulch' when needed.

Outdoors I have used straw quite well. Needs replacing about august in my garden.

Bark causes PH issues eventually. I have never touched the stuff.

 

[lmnop5092]

wouldn't rocks work just like the hydroton?

 

[AlecTheGardener]

wouldn't rocks work just like the hydroton?

Sure would. .

If growing indoors be sure to clean the rocks by soaking in a 1:10 bleach dilute. Then rinse the hell out of them. This will reduce possible issues with introduced pests and diseases.

 

[lmnop5092]

awesome, yea i picked up a bag already just wondering if anyone has had issues before i open it up

 

[AlecTheGardener]

Enjoy your mulch dude!

 

[OKLP]

I use a coarse coconut coir for mulch, supports microlife.

 

[4ad]

i used to use pebbles but it seemed to compact the soil a bit too much. I now use orchid mix (stole a bag from my wife lol) reusable and it retains some moisture.

 

[docter]

I like coco also.

 

[Happygirl]

i used to use pebbles but it seemed to compact the soil a bit too much. I now use orchid mix (stole a bag from my wife lol) reusable and it retains some moisture.

Wouldn't it be to acidic? I have some might as well use it have no top dressing around my plants hmmmm!

 

[4ad]

it does not appear to be acidic, although I don't check ph at all.lol

 

[AlecTheGardener]

It appears most orchid mixes are very PH neutral, it begins to climb after time though.


http://www.repotme.com/orchid-care/PH-Testing-Pour-Through-Method.html

The article mentions the increase of PH over time in the orchid medium.