Lesson learned: Do not chop-n-drop in a pot

Hi.

Since I didn't study anywhere how I should grow things, I am experimenting. I tried to do some chop-n-drop on my plants in pots, with very bad results.

One of them just burned. Literally. After a few months leaving weed roots in the pots for decomposition, in mid summer the substrate became so hot that I could barely touch it, and my plant died. I don't have pics for that failure.
Lesson: composting roots heat the substrate excessively.

These other pots I mulched with cuttings from the same plant, and with shreded paper mixed with coffee grounds in the other. The soil smells really good, funghi developed, but the plants almost died.
Lesson: pot plants dislike the funghi that forms under the composting mulch.

Then, I realized that the pot substrate is already a mulch: it's fluffy and it protects the underneath from temperature variations.

Next time I will try a pot that has a thin layer of pot substrate over a big layer of dirt. Hope my plants forgive me!

I did not even consider that would be a possibility, I tend to try and put dropped leaves and other bits back into the pots but perhaps I need to reconsider.

Thank you for sharing!

Potted plant can easily get overheated in summer time in the root zone. Decomposing organic matters release heat on top of that can certainly kill the plant. I usually place another bigger pot (with drainage hole) over it to avoid direct sunlight.

In the second case, I am wondering if the fungi touched the crown and cause it to rot.

Burying large amount of nitrogen rich organic matters at the bottom of a pot is not recommended.  It tends to get waterlogged and go anaerobic. In addition to potential pathogenic anaerobic bacteria thriving, the decaying process will produce acids and lower the soil pH thus have a negative effect on plant health.

Good tip for the worst of the day!

I think dose and timing are parts of the equation. Abraham definitely found out the hard way that lots of decomposing roots during a hot summer in a small pot, is a bad idea. However, I've often chopped and dropped in either the early spring in my *much* cooler, wetter climate, or in the fall. Usually the stuff I'm chopping in the fall, has already started to die back, so it's not exactly a "brown", but it's also not at the top end of "green".

In my wet winter climate, I do think that leaving plant roots in the soil helps support microbes and hold onto the soil.

However, I'm also a firm believer that, "the dose makes the poison". Often pots are on the small size for the plant/s they're supporting, so things that  would work when dealing with a garden situation, doesn't scale down.

I'm sorry your plant didn't make it, Abraham. Is it one you can easily replace?

Thank you for your concern.
Yes, they had siblings in other pots, and they are not dead yet. I removed the composting layer and they are hanging to life.
However, the one who burned was the only one and it belonged to my wife. I can't remember the species, it's one of the ornamentals popular in the nursery, a very flowery vine. She has a few replacements in mind, so not a big deal.