Plastic bags for water retention

Horticulture
1

I have tied plastic bags around the pots of bonsai to minimize evaporation from the soil, when out of town for a few days. The trees seem to do fine and are usually still moist when I get back.

I am wondering two things-

  1. how long do you think they can stay that way? Seems like it might decrease oxygen to the roots, but it is not an airtight system.

  2. When repotting I’ve used them too, to keep the rootball from drying out if I have to leave in the middle. How long could one leave them in mid repot stage if the roots stay moist? A day? A week?

2

Most tree roots sit submerged after heavy rain, 1-5 days perhaps the soil is hydric. It sounds like you wrap the pot/ roots in plastic. I think that’s a good idea. I have moved bonsai to a shady spot on the ground but will consider doing this also