Did I lose everyone?

Elissa

If I could offer my thoughts: the pot is very nice, the only concern I would have is that top recurves. It could be more difficult to repot tree in the future Not sure if everyone agrees - hope you get other comments.

Yes, you could fill part of a tall/deep pot with just about anything - upturned/upside down empty pots, empty water bottles with caps on are very light and so would be packing peanuts - with these, I would likely wanted to cover them with some landscape cloth since the soil would get mixed with them and is a pain to separate (ask me how I know :)

Layer of moss could be impairing evaporation - lets see what other's thoughts are. You could also use some rocks for decor as top dressing.

There is old thread recently 'resurected' about mulching, maybe you read it, but here it is; there are good tips/reason why to or not to mulch: -click here to read about mulching-

Definitely agree with Rina's comment about caution with any pot that curves back towards the top like that. I find pots like that very compelling aesthetically and have one I regularly use, but am always frustrated when it's time to repot. I do always manage somehow but the roots take more damage than they would otherwise.

One thing you might consider is what is referred to as "pot in pot". You can use a smaller plastic container for your ficus, that fits nicely inside the larger container. It could either just sit on something (upside down pot, whatever) at the bottom, or you could fill part/all of the outer pot with the same media you have inside the inner pot.

If your ficus will be in full sun (which it prefers), moss will be challenging to keep alive, even if shaded by the leaves. I think it's a waste of effort. The pot is beautiful and hopefully your plant will grow well, that's plenty of eye candy already, no real need for moss. :) just my opinion - aesthetics are very personal.

Also, if weight is of concern, consider using 5-1-1 instead of gritty mix, and maybe repotting a little more often. The weight difference is significant. Taller pots have advantages with respect to draining and minimizing pwt, so if you can fill the whole thing with media I would.

Daniel

I agree with all. Especially about that pot. I made that mistake way back and removing the tree a year or so later was a nightmare.

Thanks everyone I see your point! So I'm thinking the pot in pot would work well since my FLF is still small... Regarding the moss covering I was just referring to the dried ( non living) kind you get for decorative pot covering- mainly thinking of using to hide the pot inside the pot's ledge and top visual space between... So does that make a difference? I will bring these plants inside come October in that makes a difference- I would think harbor ung too much surface moisture would be the only reason possibly against but just curious how people make the pot in a pot look good visually