Has anyone here started watering every day yet?
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99 Mile Creek
Mame
Same as The Barber, I'm KY here. Lots of rain in spring, now we're running dry, and the heat is dialing up.
I try to have my trees in (as close as is reasonable) the same substrate for watering purposes. Recently I wasn't too happy with how quickly my trees were drying out (even in the wet spring) so I took off the top layer (~1in-1.5in) on all my pots, added sand, sphagnum, peat in with the mix, and that has helped to cut back on watering. When watering, I don't want to see it overflowing right away, but I don't want the water falling through the substrate like a screen, either. Should take a second or two for water to pool. At least that works for me.
Moss being added to some this year has changed their needs, too.
Where I would have been watering three times a day in my old mix (easily) that promoted aeration, with the new topping, I am right at twice a day. Trees are pushing new growth and doing great.
That said, substrate, specie, specie size, sun and wind exposure, size of pot (look into perched water table) . . . so many variables to consider that will affect you watering habits.
You're just going to have to get a feel for each tree you have, great advice above on grouping them together on their water needs. The trees in full sun may need to be hit and extra time for me and that make it easy with the wifi sprinkler system I have if I'm away for a week, or if I'm watering an extra time that day, I won't water the trees in shade. ally, you're just going to have to get a feel for each tree you have, great advice above on grouping them together on their water needs. The trees in full sun may need to be hit and extra time for me.
I try to have my trees in (as close as is reasonable) the same substrate for watering purposes. Recently I wasn't too happy with how quickly my trees were drying out (even in the wet spring) so I took off the top layer (~1in-1.5in) on all my pots, added sand, sphagnum, peat in with the mix, and that has helped to cut back on watering. When watering, I don't want to see it overflowing right away, but I don't want the water falling through the substrate like a screen, either. Should take a second or two for water to pool. At least that works for me.
Moss being added to some this year has changed their needs, too.
Where I would have been watering three times a day in my old mix (easily) that promoted aeration, with the new topping, I am right at twice a day. Trees are pushing new growth and doing great.
That said, substrate, specie, specie size, sun and wind exposure, size of pot (look into perched water table) . . . so many variables to consider that will affect you watering habits.
In short, if your trees need it, then yes.
You're just going to have to get a feel for each tree you have, great advice above on grouping them together on their water needs. The trees in full sun may need to be hit and extra time for me and that make it easy with the wifi sprinkler system I have if I'm away for a week, or if I'm watering an extra time that day, I won't water the trees in shade. ally, you're just going to have to get a feel for each tree you have, great advice above on grouping them together on their water needs. The trees in full sun may need to be hit and extra time for me.
coachspinks
Chumono
I went from not watering for 2+ weeks to watering twice a day, especially those in smaller pots. Because I will be gone this afternoon, I moved several of the ones in smaller pots to afternoon shade. They get moved back tomorrow since I can give them their second watering mid afternoon. All of mine are in some type of inorganic mix.
NeedlesAndLeaves
Shohin
I water every day now. Sometimes 1, 2 or even 3 times. It all depends on the tree, substrate and weather. Simple, but it also might be difficult as that.
Water when a tree needs it. But to know when a tree needs it.. This is part and a big deal of this hobby and it takes a bit of effort.
Water when a tree needs it. But to know when a tree needs it.. This is part and a big deal of this hobby and it takes a bit of effort.
The Barber
Chumono
Hopped in the car after work, obviously it isnt this hot, but the car in the blazing sun is.
Desert O'Piñon
Omono
I'm just shocked at the way the continental weather has flipped this year. 112° is not uncommon in my area this time of year, with single-digit RH. Today, we got all the way up to 79°, currently at 82%RH. Saw the sun twice. Been raining most of the day.
I should have fertilized my yard yesterday. Maybe I'll catch a break in the rain before dark.
Desert O'Piñon
Omono
So, I've watered once this week, and only seed flats and the smallest pots.
July 1st.
Chihuahua Desert.
High 74°.
RH 82%.
Sporadic light rain throughout the day.
Again.
June average: about 1"
2025: about 5.1"
July 1st.
Chihuahua Desert.
High 74°.
RH 82%.
Sporadic light rain throughout the day.
Again.
June average: about 1"
2025: about 5.1"
Wulfskaar
Omono
I wish we could get some summer rain. Like clockwork, it stops raining in April or so and won't start again until December. And then from Dec to Apr, we will only have sporadic rain storms. We rarely get more than a few days of rain in a row.
Desert O'Piñon
Omono
Same here. Usually. I've never seen the 70s in summertime here since I moved in 2000. Occasionally 80s, but Usually 90s and up, with little to no rain from ≈February to ≈August. This is the biggest and longest departure from average in my 25 years here. And departures are usually above average, not below. I'm loving it, even if it's weird. I tend to gravitate to weirdness. Takes one to know one, I guess.
amcoffeegirl
Masterpiece
I have ficus so watering daily in Iowa.
Seems like the first bench is dry by the time I get to the end of the 2nd bench.
We have had some good rains though.
That helps so much!
Seems like the first bench is dry by the time I get to the end of the 2nd bench.
We have had some good rains though.
That helps so much!
Jetson1950
Mame
Depends on the pot/soil they are in. We are already in 100 degree heat index here. Those on my porch are all in bonsai soil and get an automatic 10 minute heavy spray every morning. Those in garden pots and regular soil get watered by the sprinkler system twice a week. If we’re in a rainy period where we have afternoon thunderstorm, I turn off the daily porch watering. The sprinkler system shuts off with the rain sensor. Desert roses and bougainvilleas are in bonsai soil, but are where they get minimal water from the sprinklers.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
We had a bad June - with 3 weeks straight of above average temperatures and two weeks without a drop of rain, which was just enough to sun damage just about everything.
It wasn't the daytime highs that were the issue, but rather the nighttime lows, which were 6 or 7 degrees above average for this time of year. The trees couldn't catch a break.
It wasn't the daytime highs that were the issue, but rather the nighttime lows, which were 6 or 7 degrees above average for this time of year. The trees couldn't catch a break.
Desert O'Piñon
Omono
Two weeks? Wow. I must be crazy trying to grow trees in pots in the desert. Two weeks without rain here is barely getting started. But maybe this was the year to try a JM, considering we've had more rain and clouds than we've had clear skies for the past month to six weeks?
Probably not.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
We were blessed with a long cool spring we even had temps into the mid-40s into May. We’ve also had a lot of rain. The last couple of weeks we e had extreme heat and humidity with day time temps in the high 90s and low 100s accompanied by humidity in the 60-80 percent range. Sweltering. Trees haven’t suffered yet. I hope we don’t get a summer drought as we have in the last few years
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
We have had a lot of rain and humidity here, more than usual. Little concerned about potential fungal issues this year. Treated with infuse earlier in the year. Probably should go apply more now.
Desert O'Piñon
Omono
This has never, ever been an issue here, but the mushrooms are everywhere, so I'm keeping a close eye on the trees and flowerbeds. Be expecting a thread if a problem arises, as I have little experience with fungus aside from Pythium on bentgrass greens. I'll need advice for sure.
Oh, and morels. That's one delicious fungus!
MrFancyPlants
Masterpiece
I switched to twice a day for 8 min. I also hand water if it is above 90f. Well mother dearest is house sitting for us, so wish my trees luck.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Honestly, with all the rain, Ive only had to water 3/4 days a week for the past few weeks. Its been FANTASTIC in that regard. Trees are looking pretty good with no stand out problems or concerns. Been an enjoyable spring / early summer.
milehigh_7
Mister 500,000
I deeply water at least 2x a day (3x when 110F and higher) and run my overhead spray 6x a day for 2 minutes. The overhead sprays over the top of my shade cloth, in essence creating an evaporative cooler. Helps a lot when its 120+. 
stav121
Sapling
It is 38oC here constantly (in the shade - I don't even wanna know what happens in full sun) with a lot of wind and I water every 2 days.
I have developed a trick: I place 1cm of Sphagnum Moss under all my pots so that it touches the draining holes of my pots. Every time I water my trees the excess water hydrates the moss which will usually stay moist for 2 days give or take (depending on the wind), and within days usually my trees will have some escaped roots into the moss which suck the moisture up and keep them hydrated so that I don't have to constantly water my trees. It works wonders for my small and medium sized pots.
I also have a holiday stay-away-for-a-month setup based on the same logic where I place 2 cm of Sphagnum Moss on big trays, put 7-10 trees on them and have a automatic watering pump fill the tray with water about moss heigh every 3 days:
It works wonders long-term, I have most of my trees on this system for the past 2 weeks and I haven't watered them at all, I only check them every few days and let the system do its magic.
I have developed a trick: I place 1cm of Sphagnum Moss under all my pots so that it touches the draining holes of my pots. Every time I water my trees the excess water hydrates the moss which will usually stay moist for 2 days give or take (depending on the wind), and within days usually my trees will have some escaped roots into the moss which suck the moisture up and keep them hydrated so that I don't have to constantly water my trees. It works wonders for my small and medium sized pots.
I also have a holiday stay-away-for-a-month setup based on the same logic where I place 2 cm of Sphagnum Moss on big trays, put 7-10 trees on them and have a automatic watering pump fill the tray with water about moss heigh every 3 days:
It works wonders long-term, I have most of my trees on this system for the past 2 weeks and I haven't watered them at all, I only check them every few days and let the system do its magic.
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