Why I put top dressing on ALL my houseplants

[@TheSoilBar]

We expanded The Soil Bar products to now carry ALL OUR FAVORITE TOP DRESSINGS! Come by n browse the virtual Bar! www.TheSoilBar.co

[@design1569]

Thank you! Very helpful information.

[@TheSoilBar]

@@design1569 you’re welcome! Glad you found it helpful 💚

[@JosBeeReads]

I used orchid bark to top dress a few of my ficus elasticas and noticed they are the only plants that are not infested with fungus knats. I came to yt to see if this was a thing. Your video was the only one that I found. Thank you! I think I'm going to top dress the rest of my plants with orchid bark and see how it goes. I bottom water my plants but I still see knats. Hopefully this will help the rest of my plants.

[@TheSoilBar]

This is great feedback to read! Thanks for sharing! Fir bark is a great one too because it smells wonderful 😊. One other tip is if you have plants currently infested with gnats then the fir bark might now be enough to get rid of them. There is a product however that I started carrying called “diatomite” and it’s similar to the diatomaceous earth that you see at most garden centers BUT it’s very coarse. So large granules of Diatomite make for a great top dressing. AND they will destroy all gnats. No pest can survive that needs access to the soil and it actually helps with cation exchange for your plant! Here’s a link to the product if you want to find out more about it www.thesoilbar.co/product-page/diatomite-pest-prevention-killer

[@bilkissdhar459]

Thks. Good info for top of my romarin and jade plants💚

[@nanceebirdlover5222]

That makes such good sense to me for the gnats and finishing off the pot. Would monsteras be ok with a very light gravel? The Ficus are getting bark as soon as I can find some! Thanks!

[@TheSoilBar]

Most monstera (like the deliciosa) are very hardy and aggressive growers so they’ll b fine with gravel, however it’s not ideal. I’d suggest for bark because of its natural deterrent to gnats (deterrent doesn’t mean preventative. Think of it as the equivalent of standing near someone with BO, it’s not gonna stop you from entering the room, but you’d look for an alternative room if there is one 🥴) if you want to STOP, eradicate and prevent ALL fungus gnats then the only product I suggest is coarse diatomite. It’s the only solution I’ve found after much experimentation and we carry it at The Soil Bar exclusively. It’s the ONLY all natural and organic top dressing that prevents pests. It even helps plants roots grow stronger. Can’t say enough things about it. It’s an amazing product and you don’t need a ton of it when you use as a top dressing. 1 quart will top dress 4 or 5 regular sized indoor pots (6” pot ish)

[@ladyamba1]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@TheSoilBar]

You’re welcome. Glad it was was helpful to you! Happy planting 💚

[@lindaparkins8306]

can you use course olay sand as a top dressing and if so how much?

[@TheSoilBar]

@@lindaparkins8306 I find that play sand isn’t ideal as its tiny particle size can limit the amount of O2 that can get down into the soil. However if that’s what you have to work with then just try a very thin layer of it (just enough so that you no longer can see the soil underneath)

[@kaylenakeener5859]

What are your opinions on using lecca or Moss as a top dressing? I was thinking about using moss on my humid picky plants (Alocasias) and lecca on the ones that have aerial roots (monstera deliciosa/pothos)

[@TheSoilBar]

I have used moss for some of my moisture loving plants. The key is though that rhe substrate under it be very high quality otherwise you’re likely to end up with fungus gnats. I’d suggest making your own or purchasing something like our Chunky Mix which is good for plants with aerial roots www.thesoilbar.co/product-page/chunky-mix-1-gallon

[@SilVia-hs2kb]

I use Lecca as a top dressing to my pothos , Mosteras, Philodendrons etc.. works very well.

[@baljitgill6605]

Hi great video So when you repot, do you remove all the top dressing first?

[@TheSoilBar]

If it’s pumice, diatomite or fir bark top dressing then I like to mix it in WITH the new batch of soil I’m using to repot ( it never hurts to have a lil more substance/amendment in a soil mix!) Then I repot the plant with the fresh soil that has the old top dressing mixed in. Then I give the repotted plant some fresh top dressing. That way a Great question. Also if you like you (or anyone reading this) can reply to this comment with the name of the plant and region of the country you live and I’m happy to suggest the type of top dressing I’d recommend trying. Happy planting! 💚🤎💚🤎💚

[@miriammondragon1322]

Can I use pomice for my pothos?

[@artcrafty8004]

Hi, can you tell me what type of dressing you would use for a indoor twisted hibiscus tree and a anthurium plant please.

[@TheSoilBar]

I would use a product called “diatomite” it’s hard to find but I’m fortunate enough to be a supplier and now have it available at www.thesoilbar.co/product-page/diatomite-pest-prevention-killer

[@AutoBotcity1978]

I’ve used Mosser Lee Soil Cover Black sand so far these last few days and it looks so damn cool on top.

[@TheSoilBar]

I bet that throws a great contrast against the foliage color! 💚

[@AutoBotcity1978]

@@TheSoilBar yeah it does. Shines nicely too. Let’s me know when it I need water my plants it becomes a nice matte color

[@markmiddleton4554]

I just transplanted a new goldfish plant. What kind of Topdressing do you recommend?

[@TheSoilBar]

I’d go with something like a fine fir bark. Just make sure it’s good quality because regular mulch types in those giant bags ate full of gnats. I like for bark also because it’s got such a lovely aroma. If you send to be a forgetful or sporadic waterer (like I am) then these plants also love Diatomite top dressing because it holds a lil moisture and turns white when it’s bone dry giving nice reminder that the plant needs a drink 😊 you can find both top dressing varieties at www.TheSoilBar.co and you can also find fir bark from other companies. The coarse diatomite though is something only carried at The Soil Bar. Happy planting! Lemme know what you go with!

[@TheBettyrodz]

What kind of dressing would you recommend for a Monstera and a Snake plant? Thank you!!

[@TheSoilBar]

Hello! Great question. Thanks for asking! For monstera I go with something’s that’s nice and light and airy. That way the roots can continue to easily explore the mix and get plenty of oxygen. Monstera are epiphytic, they grow on trees etc so they like to get plenty of O2. So fir bark is perfect or coco chips. For snake plants, I use a very coarse gritty mix (made of coarse diatomaceous earth, lava rock, pumice and fine gravel) which I make myself. If you’d be interested it’s available for purchase on my shop. Or some small pebbles work as well. These have less porosity as a top dressing and a heavier overall weight which is perfect for snake plants. It’ll help retain a little more moisture for these succulent type plants. You can find all kinds of things like I’ve mentioned at our Bar www.TheSoilBar.co

[@TheBettyrodz]

@@TheSoilBar Thank you! I will check out your shop.

[@worldcheerexchange3010]

Great video! What should I top dress my fiddle leaf fig with? :)

[@TheSoilBar]

For fiddles I like to use fir bark. We have it in 2 sizes at The Soil Bar. It’s smells amazing and helps retain some moisture. Happy planting! 💚 www.thesoilbar.co/product-page/fir-bark-for-tropical-plants-and-orchids-soil-amendment

[@LIVINGOURPRIORITIES]

what top dressing would be good for snake plants?

[@TheSoilBar]

I’d recommend our Coarse Diatomite www.thesoilbar.co/product-page/diatomite-pest-prevention-killer it’s the all around BEST amendment. You can use it as both a top dressing and also amend any soil with a few cups whenever your repot. It helps with moisture retention and also has a ton of other benefits like being an all natural pesticide!

[@allierod3499]

So I am having a huge issue with my rubber tree who needs to be soaked every once in awhile but I can’t bottom water because the pot is so heavy . But when I do this the soil stays wet and I have a huge huge gnat issue ! So what sort of pebbles can I put all on top? Would this really help?

[@TheSoilBar]

It sounds like you really could use a repot with a gritty soil like our Succulent mix. This will help with the drying out aspect so it doesn’t stay soggy. And for an immediate solution to your gnat problem you top dress with a product called “Diatomite” it kills and prevents fungus gnats. It’s made of diatomaceous earth but it’s coarse tiny pebbles (powder form does NOT work). You just sprinkle it on the top of the pot until you can no longer see the soil. It doesn’t take much. You can also mix it in to new soil when you reit. It helps with drainage and pest prevention that way as well. Here’s a link to purchase Diatomite www.thesoilbar.co/product-page/diatomite-pest-prevention-killer

[@prairieleetodd]

I'm wondering about my string of pearls. I took it outoutside and now it has gnats. With other plants generally I have top dressed with sand to address this issue, but I'm not sure how this will work with the crown of the plant being so dense and right at the soil level.

[@TheSoilBar]

So you can still use coarse Diatomite as a top dressing. Just pour it over the top and then shake the pot gently so it settles in and falls through the vines of the 🌱 until it reaches the soil.

[@TheSoilBar]

We have coarse Diatomite available now! It’s already our best seller so if it’s in stock I’d definitely recommend itwww.thesoilbar.co/product-page/chunky-mix-1-gallon

[@davidhalley9795]

Are there any issues with top dressing plants in self watering pots? I have a few lechuza pots that have pon on the bottom and the rest is soil.

[@TheSoilBar]

Self watering pots can be great and yes I recommend top dressing. Just be aware top dressing does help retain moisture so you may not need to refill the self watering pot as often as you have in the past

[@davidhalley9795]

@@TheSoilBar Thanks for the tip.

[@franksflytraps]

top dressing my carnivorous plants eliminates green slime on the peatmoss and makes them look way better depending on what color rocks u use.

[@TheSoilBar]

That’s a great top! Hadn’t considered it in terms of carnivorous plants. What types of top dressing do you use?

[@franksflytraps]

@@TheSoilBar different sizes and colors of aquarium gravel.

[@rfoley402]

Would you top dress an orchid? This information is very helpful. Thank you!!

[@TheSoilBar]

For orchids first you want to get them in a high quality grow media. No need to top dress generally. You can do a top layer of moss for a lily extra moisture retention perhaps.

[@TheSoilBar]

Check out my orchid repotting video kzbin.info/www/bejne/noObiXqtadaWirc

[@FeminineFaithWalk]

How do you water the people top soil, bottom water or top water

[@Houseofgamine]

I like bottom up for things like sand which shift when watering but pebbles, rocks bars top down doesn’t disturb anything in g. Just my two cents after trying too down for sand lol

[@TheSoilBar]

Some people strictly bottom or top water. I do both. I give them their routine thorough watering to make sure 💧 gets evenly distributed throughout the pot with watering from the top till it drains out the bottom. Then if I notice between watering it looks a bit dry I’ll add some 💧 to the catch tray that’s under the pot. I keep pebbles also in the catch tray to elevate the pot slightly. This way it’s not sitting directly in the 💧 which can cause problems.

[@franksflytraps]

both

[@overthenever4262]

👍🌱 cool channel ,

[@Houseofgamine]

Would fir bark be suitable for pothos

[@TheSoilBar]

Yes definitely !

[@FrancescaZampollo]

thank you! love your energy! I'm dealing with fungus gunts and I'm crying all the time! =D Hope this will help. thank youuuuuuu

[@TheSoilBar]

Coarse Diatomite is the cure! I carry it if you’d be interested

[@TheSoilBar]

Here’s the link to the product. It’s the perfect top dressing for killing and preventing gnats. www.thesoilbar.co/product-page/diatomite-pest-prevention-killer

[@FrancescaZampollo]

thank youuuu! 🤩 could you just suggest how much to put on top? 1 cm? 2cm? thank you soooo much! with this on top, do ai still water from the top, or bottom watering is better? and is it ok for all plants? from mostera to begonia to howea? thank you thank you thank youuuuuu

[@TheSoilBar]

@@FrancescaZampollo great questions. You only need to put enough on there until the soil is totally covered and you can no longer see it. So a quarter inch or so is plenty. You can bottom or top water. The nice added bonus of The Soil Bar diatomite product is it turns grey when moist or wet. It’s a great lil reminder if you forgot if you watered a 🌱 recently or not. It turns stark white again once dry

[@sunlitslumber]

Which ones would be okay for Petunias? I'm not sure which ones would be okay or too much.

[@TheSoilBar]

Hi! For petunias I am assuming you have them outdoors right? Outdoor plants don't require the same type of top dressings like indoor plants do. However, it is always a good plan to top dress. I'd go with a lightweight dressing like fir bark that way it doesn't damage the delicate blooms. Make sure your fir bark is healthy and free from pests. When purchased at big box stores the bark is not kept in air tight containers nor inspected prior to packaging and that's how pests can show up semingly out of no where. If you are interested in a clean product that's pest free we are reopening the online shop on June 9th 2024! And our first 100 customers will automatically get a discount. www.TheSoilBar.co

[@jessyrez]

What top dressing would you recommend for string of pearls and pothos?

[@TheSoilBar]

For pothos I’d go with Fir Bark or coarse Diatomite. For string of pearls I’d only use coarse Diatomite. Sprinkle it over the top of the pot then tap the sides so it settles into the crevices between pearl strings. This will help with overall health of the plant while also preventing fungus gnats etc. If youd be interested in Diatomite you can find it here www.thesoilbar.co/product-page/diatomite-pest-prevention-killer

[@jessyrez]

@@TheSoilBar thank you!

[@Kelly-lo6cz]

I tried top dressing my yucca cane with black river pebbles... it caused moisture retention and my yucca cane started to die and I removes them. I have gnats... would top cover so you suggest for desert type plants that need dry soil? Also, the miracle grow potting mix I used smells like chemicals and it has my house stinking like fertilizer... is there any topper you suggest that keeps gnats away but will not retain moister under it? Specifically for cane yucca?

[@MileHighDiva]

Cedar chips

[@TheSoilBar]

Miracle grow is always full of fungus gnats. The only thing that works to kill those gnats and also prevent them is Diatomite. I have it available in my shop and don’t know of any other stores that carry it. It’s a very coarse material that’s similar to the diatomaceous powder that’s available at other stores. But the powder doesn’t provide adequate cover for the soil and the gnats go straight through it. Here is the best option -> www.thesoilbar.co/product-page/diatomite-pest-prevention-killer

[@JerseyGardening2020]

I like the too dressing for aesthetic reasons and to control pests. Pumice also is a good one right? For too dressing

[@TheSoilBar]

I use pumice primarily as an amendment to potting mix. Some people I know use it as a top dressing but I find because of its porous nature sometimes it can encourage pests to get in the pores of pumice. But it’s still a good product and always better to top dress with it than not at all I say!

[@porshemaysonet1540]

Can I put Leca on top to prevent gnats?

[@TheSoilBar]

If you have a current infestation then I wouldn’t recommend it as the size of the leca balls allows for too much space that the gnats can still reach the soil and breed. However if you don’t have a current pest issue I think it doesn’t hurt to try! And it also makes for a pretty top dressing!

[@marmar9410]

Is it okay if I just use Horticultural Grade stone for my monsteras and birds of paradise because I already bottom water it.

[@TheSoilBar]

Companies throw around the word horticultural grade without a clear definition. What type of stone is it do you know?

[@tardwrangler]

I tried using sand but it turns pretty hard after watering it multiple times. I wonder if it affects the plant

[@TheSoilBar]

If your sand is hardening it might be due to the fact that it has a high mineral content. I personally don’t use sand very often. I like something with a slightly larger surface area. Try really giving the sand a hood pre-rinse before using as top dressing to wash away any salt or other minerals that can cause the hardening