Plant ground cover question

[Gaerei]

I have a 20" schefflera in a 6" pot. What's the general census on pot sizes for these plants since I heard they grow like crazy. Secondly, is there a managable ground cover for the plant that I can use and still keep both my cham and plant healthy. I was thinking just to put paper towels in the pot to caver the dirt for easy cleanup. I was wondering if anyone had anything a little more on the reusable side but still healthy for both parties.

 

[kenya]

I have a 20" schefflera in a 6" pot. What's the general census on pot sizes for these plants since I heard they grow like crazy. Secondly, is there a managable ground cover for the plant that I can use and still keep both my cham and plant healthy. I was thinking just to put paper towels in the pot to caver the dirt for easy cleanup. I was wondering if anyone had anything a little more on the reusable side but still healthy for both parties.

Typically people put smooth river stones over the soil BUT you could be creative and plant something nice and edible like kale, dandelion, or lettuce to cover it and fill in the holes with rocks. Just regular old rye grass is good too, as is wheat grass. Keep it under control, though.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I am one who does not cover the soil.
I have had good luck using a mixture of sandy top soil and peat from which all the larger pieces have been sifted.
My chameleons have access to the soil and the male does eat it on occasion, although not nearly as much as when he was younger.
As for the size of the pot, I would use the largest one your set-up can accommodate.

-Brad

 

[Drone]

often plants come root bound from the store -
If I can I'll trim the plant a bit and repot it in to the next sized up pot. Typically a 6"-8" pot allows for vertical growth. About a year later I'll move up to a 10" pot if possible, ect, keeping in mind the maximum size of your plant.

When I say trim the plant I mean roots (espcially rootbound excessive roots), flowers (yes, all of them, it typically encourages the plant to grow more!) if it has any, and any new / excessive growth the plant might have.

One of these days I'll make a tutorial with photos but its too damn cold outside atm.