Topdressing also refers to reviving a container plant’s soil when it becomes depleted of nutrients. It need to drain well and fast. I put gravel on top of the potting mix. The following situations are typical topdressing applications: For lawns and growing beds in shallow soil, the question is clear cut. Depending on what the animals ate, though, you might notice weeds growing out of it (especially grasses). Fashion blip or true eco-friendly solution for your plants and garden? Views: 8,405 Share This: I’ve been in this industry for over fifteen years now and I have to say, I’m getting bored with using the same old gray Spanish moss as a top dressing. Plants may be growing in dirt, but they don’t have to look dirty. Mint can tolerate a bit of dry soil but not long periods of drought. It need to drain well and fast. Water it in well and then resume your normal routine. But these decorative mulches finish off the containers and beyond fastidious eye-appeal, top-dressing can benefit plants and growing medium. Topdressing means spreading a fresh layer of rich soil mix directly atop the ground. Pinch the tips of mint regularly to promote bushier, fuller growth. This is a potential issue for me because almost all of my plants are succulents. Below are a few of our suggestions when it comes to choosing a proper topdressing for indoor office plants: Mixing these elements can offer even more creative options when it comes to finding the right topdressing for your plantscape. Simply spread a thin layer worm compost around the stem of each plant. I usually go for a layer 1-2 rocks thick and not much more. How To Top Dress Floral Arrangements April 15, 2013 / 0 Comments / in DECOR & DESIGN , Design , GARDEN , HOME , Home & Garden , View All Garden Stories , View All Home Stories / by Editor Turn ordinary potted plants into miniature landscapes by choosing a soil cover that matches their look. By dressing up the top of your garden planters with decorative materials it will not only make the pots look outstanding but the items will help to retain the soil's moisture. 'If you fill it with olive tree soil mix the tree will have an extra boost, but potting mix will also work fine. If your mix is grainy-gritty enough, there will be good drainage and air exchange. I've had peoe tell me that a dead animal, or a pile of manure are examples of "spikes" in nature. Well not so fast anyway, actually a whole lot slower. Dress up leggy plants and make the container look “finished.” Prop up drooping stems and hold plants upright. Your lawn is a plant too! If your plants seem to resent the top-dressing, simply remove the mulch. Top Dressing Plants with Worm Compost for House Plants. Dress up leggy plants and make the container look “finished.” Prop up drooping stems and hold plants upright. 5.0 out of 5 stars2. In cases like this, top-dressing is a great solution, and it’s quite easy. I'm very lazy about watering and tend to underwater, so I guess that's my secret. Here’s a complete article about lawn topdress techniques. https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2020/04/09/potting-soil-recipe Your email address will not be published. All one needs to do is add it to the surface. I use Super Soil to top dress. The 5 Best Mulches for Your Potted Plants. It adds extra weight which keep top-heavy plants from falling over. Yep – good old fashioned cow poop is one of my secrets to success. Many homeowners prefer growing them on the ground while others prefer using containers or pots. Walk into any office or public building and you might not immediately notice the topdressing chosen for surrounding plants. This is known as top dressing. About a quarter-inch is sufficient because more may create mould. Topdressing a plant or lawn is a good way to care for it. It may be possible. There is an alternative, though, that can provide much richer soil for healthier plants. Easy Ways to Keep Houseplants Watered on Vacation Flowers & Plants. Sort by Sort by Sort by Featured; Price: Low to High; Price: High to Low; A-Z; Z-A; Oldest to Newest; Newest to Oldest; Best Selling; Pet Friendly. Plants in containers do require more care than those in gardens, but by following our advice you will find this easy. It won’t suffer any form of transplant shock. Although it’s possible to simply throw the soil around with a wide movement of the arm (as if you were broadcast sowing seeds), there are other techniques that produce better results with specific equipment. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by … Usually a large plant will benefit from being topdressed every two years. Water lightly, enough to moisten the topdressing but not flooding the bed. To top-dress, you simply spread an even layer of manure or fertilizer over the entire garden. “There are hardwood chips that are processed to meet fire codes, this is one of the many nuances required in properly specifying indoor landscapes.“. Most plantscapes incorporate this staging material into an overall design. They can brighten up a corner of the garden, provide handy herbs by the kitchen or make the entrance look welcoming. Most important is the mix plant is potted in. Like any other office dress code, the right choices in topdressing can make a real difference. Best is to use rich materials like compost. Large heavy container needing topdressing by Tanuj Handa ★ under Pixabay license Sure thing! Succulent Sponsor. Many plants can thrive in most potting soils, so an all-purpose soil is a good choice for general use with houseplants and outdoor potted plants. 1. Credits for images shared to Nature & Garden (all edits by Gaspard Lorthiois): AUTHOR: Sherry Constantino CATEGORIES: Interior. Give beds and borders a kick start by feeding in spring with a slow release fertiliser, before plants have put on too much growth. Top Dressing Your Lawn with Worm Compost . Water container-grown mint whenever the top inch (2.5 cm.) Facebook; Twitter ; Pinterest; More Quick Gardening Tips. If it doesn't plant may suffer regardless of top dressing. Never use sea sand which is salty. “Many options may not meet a building’s current fire code, for example,” added Shane Pliska. There are a few points of caution regarding this technique. There is an alternative, though, that can provide much richer soil for healthier plants. With any kind of top dressing, but especially finer grained types, more is not better. If you’re growing potted mint plants outdoors check the pot daily during hot, dry weather. A lot of planning goes into details like topdressing, the staging material that covers the soil surface of any potted plant. Uses Buy high-quality potting soil or make your own by mixing equal parts peat moss, vermiculite or perlite and pasteurized soil, with a few handfuls of rotted manure or compost. Lauren Dunec Hoang – November 1, 2017 | Updated June 4, 2020 Keep Reading: Home & Garden; You May Like. West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Water and if more space is available, add a few final handfuls of topdressing mix. Don’t Leave Your Plants Naked! You can also support growth with natural fertilizer such as fermented tea. 7315 Drake Rd. Terra cotta holds moisture and will act as a great host to the moss. Kelp meal also contains a high concentration of cytokinins. You have to know your garden well enough to apply the top dressing before any signs of yellowing appear. Simply spread a thin layer worm compost around the stem of each plant. Thank you. DIY: gold leaf terra cotta pots Home & Garden. Richard shows you how to give your plants a new lease of life with a quick application of fresh compost and fertiliser. Given the plethora of options, it’s best to work with an expert to choose your office plant topdressing wisely. This gives plants the organic matter they need to grow best. Carrie Aulenbacher, author and gardening enthusiast, says, “I’ve been looking at fiber optic solar lights as a fun way to dress up my potted plants this summer. $11.99$11.99. Feb 11. For a long time I used finely crushed lava rock because it was much easier to obtain (you can buy it by the bag in any full-service nursery). When the garden box is full, which may happen after 4 to 6 years, you’ll have to go for soil replacement. It keeps the potting mixture from getting on the plant foliage, and it gives the pot a tidy, finished look. A top dressing is a decorative rock placed on the top of the soil in an arrangement. Plant mulch is ideal for raised beds because it breaks down and continuously releases nutrients. Try These Stylish Dressing Options. As long as there’s still space under the rim of the growing bed, you can topdress very easily simply by adding a thin layer of topdressing at the top. Find out how we can help you create a signature look meant to last in your office. Top dressing is for lawns, plants in large containers or pots, along edges, in raised garden beds and even under trees that like rich soil. A lot of planning goes into details like topdressing, the staging material that covers the soil surface of any potted plant. In the case of the latter, certain things should be taken into consideration. In this guide, I’ve put together the top choices available, plus I’ll share some pointers on how to pick the best ones for your plants. If it's just enough to hide the soil from view, great. You do not till it into the ground. It is slightly hot for new plants, but as a top dressing it works wonders. Topdressing has the ability to impact what kind of statement it can make in an indoor office environment. Topdressing will need to be replaced regularly to be properly maintained. A potted plant may be attractive on its own, but nestled in a bed of polished river rocks or surrounded by tiny succulents makes it extra stylish. Once in place, this layer is left alone. DIY: gold leaf terra cotta pots Home & Garden. Crown of a plant by Robert Owen-Wahl ★ under Pixabay license. I have also begun to use smaller rocks as top dressing for potted cacti. Vermicrop® VermiAll. Don’t Leave Your Plants Naked! Here’s our guide on how to apply fertilizer to potted plants this spring. How To Top Dress Floral Arrangements April 15, 2013 / 0 Comments / in DECOR & DESIGN , Design , GARDEN , HOME , Home & Garden , View All Garden Stories , View All Home Stories / by Editor Turn ordinary potted plants into miniature landscapes by choosing a soil cover that matches their look. Containers filled with seasonal or permanent plants are extremely versatile. Large heavy container needing topdressing. This is similar to what is described just above for topdressing houseplants. Here’s how: Step 1: Water your plants lightly to loosen any hard-packed soil. $ 28.50 Read more. If larger ones are visible out to the outside edges of the soil ball, you need to do something soon. Most important is the mix plant is potted in. I don't believe in coincidence and lately I've been asked by several different growers the same question. Well-rotted manure can be bought from garden centres or in bulk from farms and stables. In this guide, I’ve put together the top choices available, plus I’ll share some pointers on how to pick the best ones for your plants. I hear Clematis growers do the same thing Topdressing to Revive Dirt. Top Dressing means to place compost or fertilizer of some kind around the top of the soil surrounding a plant. These cytokinins are great at assisting with reducing inter nodal stretching and getting a bushier plant. For houseplants, container gardens, raised beds and the like, it’s more a question of convenience. My preferred top dressing is rotted cow manure. In this method, the worm castings are simply added to the top of the soil surrounding the plant. Forget about rubber mulch and all those synthetics out there. $ 14.95 Read more. Top Dressing (Sand, Pebbles, Moss) Finish your succulent container garden with a nice sand, pebble, or moss top dressing! ; If you have space to plant the plants after use or are giving them away as favours, then you can pick up your favourite potted plants at your local gardening centre. Discourage pets from digging in the soil, especially if you put a layer of mesh underneath the mulch. Sometimes, retailers will glue the rocks in place to make them easier and cleaner to transport. Olive trees, or olea europea, need to be potted in a large enough pot for their roots to have room to grow, otherwise you risk it becoming 'pot-bound. Prefer coarse sand to fine sand. With any kind of top dressing, but especially finer grained types, more is not better. Nice for buried plants like Lithops and nasty rotty caudex thingies that like wet roots and dry necks. Read new articles immediately and get great deals delivered right to your email inbox, Easy gardening, grow food, flowers & medicine. How to protect your container plants in winter. Yes, it’s a great organic way of giving your lawn fresh nutrients to grow well. Top dress around plants to encourage strong root and flower development. Ideally, topdress with these weather conditions: The goals is to spread a very thin layer of soil mix across the entire surface of the lawn. The key is quantity: spread it evenly and don’t put too much. Compost is without a doubt the…, Orchids are perhaps the plants for which the growth medium is the most critical element that influences the growing of…, Heath plants love acidic, cool and well-drained soil. Topdressing means adding a layer of material to the top of your potted succulent to either create a tidy, more finished look or keep the soil from shifting around. Types of mulch. What is compost? It’s necessary to occasionally amend container garden soil because plants extract nutrients from it over time. However, utilizing both strategies helps to ensure that plants thrive and look their best. In the ground or in pots, your succulent compositions will look and perform better if bare soil doesn’t show. Top dressing is for lawns, plants in large containers or pots, along edges, in raised garden beds and even under trees that like rich soil. Find out what you should do about this in today’s episode! But to use manure for fertilizer is for professionals who know the plants and what the plants are SHOWING that dictates what they need more or less of. However, be careful when using additives in soil — it’s easy to overdose plants and toxify them. Top dressing is the simplest and easiest way of using worm castings. Second, rake or brush the lawn so new soil falls under and grass blades are brought up over it. The goal is to rejuvenate soil and replenish its nutrients. If your mix is grainy-gritty enough, there will be good drainage and air exchange. Adding more—and larger—rocks in strategic places is near the top of my to-do list for the fall. Please explain how it is accomplished without smothering and killing the lawn in the process. If it's just enough to hide the soil from view, great. Without a top soil dressing, the plant may look more boring, by putting less focus on the plant, and more on the soil. My favorite rock top dressing for potted cacti I love rocks in the garden. That’s where Planterra horticulture experts can help you plan. Topdressing is a technique or practice where a layer of fresh, extra soil is added on top of existing soil. Sometimes, retailers will glue the rocks in place to make them easier and cleaner to transport. On smaller potted plants, cover the entire surface of the potting soil with ½ to 1 inch of worm compost. After…, T. Peterson wrote on 28 May 2019 at 5 h 24 min, Gaspard Lorthiois wrote on 3 June 2019 at 12 h 51 min, Gaspard Lorthiois wrote on 30 May 2019 at 23 h 48 min, What is compost exactly? It may be possible. 2. Mulching plants Gardening Guides from BBC Gardening. Many products meant to be applied outdoors can come with odors, allergens, attract new pests or can even be a fire hazard. Easy Ways to Keep Houseplants Watered on Vacation Flowers & Plants. If it doesn't plant may suffer regardless of top dressing. Raking topdress on lawn by Rosalyn & Gaspard Lorthiois, own work Good nitrogen source I'm sure. Feb 11. You can complement topdressing with a layer of plant mulch. A top dressing is a decorative rock placed on the top of the soil in an arrangement. "What should I top dress my plants with to ensure that the soil has enough food and everything will c Walk into any office or public building and you might not immediately notice the topdressing chosen for surrounding plants. Potted plants are often a fantastic budget-friendly alternative to flowers so a great choice if you need a more inexpensive or alternative floral decor option. For example, you shouldn’t use seedling potting mix because there are very few nutrients in it. Views: 8,405 Share This: I’ve been in this industry for over fifteen years now and I have to say, I’m getting bored with using the same old gray Spanish moss as a top dressing. It’s an entirely different process when you are working indoors than when you’re gardening outside. I'd also mix a little kelp and neem cake into the mix. If you’ve got shrubs and plants growing there. On smaller potted plants, cover the entire surface of the potting soil with ½ to 1 inch of worm compost. Every couple of years give it a top dressing of fresh soil and fermented fertiliser to keep it flourishing. To know when a plant needs to be potted on a bigger pot you need to check the roots. $ 28.50 Read more. You may include it in your topdressing mix (up to a third) if you need to increase drainage, but don’t repeat it too often. Anyways, having some kelp on the top of the soil as a top dress will keep everything else moist on the surface and make your job easier. It’s just not as simple as pouring on the mulch when working indoors. Step 2: Using your fingers or a small trowel or spoon, very gently scrape away the top 1”- 2” of potting soil, until you begin to see the top of the root ball. We have listed out the best top dressings for succulents and … It's ground up rock and doesn't really dissolve and even if you agitate the can, it sinks as soon as you start to pour. You can use it for potted plants as well as garden plants. Get it as soon as Tue, Dec 29. Most plantscapes incorporate this staging material into an overall design. This is known as top dressing. “Top-dressing for aesthetics is … Manure – manure provides very rich nutrients. Topdressing is an excellent organic option to maintain your plants. To top-dress, you simply spread an even layer of manure or fertilizer over the entire garden. Some say that top dressing (rocks or grit) shouldn't be used in very hot climates since it may get too hot. 248-661-1515 For most purposes, mature compost is the best topdressing. Looks & Function create a great combination! Home & Garden. When I recently opened it a fungus growth has covered the entire surface of the mix. Ingredients include crustacean meal, fishbone meal, bat guano, alfalfa and more. If I had to choose a top dressing for any plant, whether it be a cannabis plant in flower or a tomato plant it would be 2" to 4" of a mixture of vermicompost/compost and fresh chopped comfrey or a similar accumulator plant such as nettles, dandelion or anything like that. Vermicrop® VermiAll. This episode is brought to you by Crassula arboresces undulatifolia or “Ripple Jade”! Choose a ceramic pot with interesting patterns or shape. Home & Garden. of potting mix feels dry to the touch. Some indoor plants require rather large pots, such as indoor banana or citrus trees. Here’s an article specifically about lawn topdress. Topdressing in such a manner is best repeated every three or four years. Watch the video below to see the difference adding a top dressing can make when you’re cleaning up a succulent arrangement! Alaska Fish (5-1-1) An all-purpose, deodorized fish emulsion for use on all indoor and outdoor plants. Some say that top dressing (rocks or grit) shouldn't be used in very hot climates since it may get too hot. It can also reduce the amount of dust that flies up when you water. Topdressing options can include: river rock, crush slate, replica coverings, moss, crushed glass, hardwood mulch and more. Find out what you should do about this in today’s episode! When picking this list, I deliberately avoided anything from recycled tires, unknown wood sources, or mulches containing harsh chemicals. Plants may be growing in dirt, but they don’t have to look dirty. https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2020/04/09/potting-soil-recipe A potted plant may be attractive on its own, but nestled in a bed of polished river rocks or surrounded by tiny succulents makes it extra stylish. Glass vessel. Only use river sand or quarry sand. Plant Type. If you see roots growing out of the bottom drainage holes, you really need to do something right away. $ 9.95 Read more. Richard shows you how to give your plants a new lease of life with a quick application of fresh compost and fertiliser. Planting is an important phase in the life of a plant. Poor topdressing – the goal is to replenish nutrients. Ingredients include crustacean meal, fishbone meal, bat guano, alfalfa and more. Their effect can range from the subtle (a few basketball-sized rocks placed close to a beautiful agave) to the dramatic (boulders so heavy they need to be placed with a backhoe or crane). You can also use compost, which has fertilizing properties and will cover the needs of your plants for at least a year. Top dress or work it into the top few inches if you can. Forget about rubber mulch and all those synthetics out there. Decomposed organic matter is super for potted plants to keep the soil from becoming a brick even it was bagged potting soil. $ 9.95 Read more. However, be careful when using additives in soil — it’s easy to overdose plants and toxify them. Topdressing usually comes into play when repotting isn’t possible. Alaska Fish (5-1-1) An all-purpose, deodorized fish emulsion for use on all indoor and outdoor plants. Contact our experts at Planterra. For the powdered products such as greensand, bone meal, alfalfa meal and insect frass, use less than the manufacturer recommended amount. The top dressing dries out, but the soil underneath doesn't. From the clean look of stone to the pop-of-color provided by moss and longevity of preserved moss, each variety of topsoil is carefully considered for its location and brand. Required fields are marked *. Top Dressing Plants with Worm Compost for House Plants. Every succulent owner knows well to add top soil to every potted plant. This episode is brought to you by Crassula arboresces undulatifolia or “Ripple Jade”! AUTHOR: Sherry Constantino CATEGORIES: Interior. Lawn soils don't have the same needs as potted plants. Plants need sufficient nutrients regardless of where you grow them. CONTACT Plants use nutrients as they, and the microherd helpers decide they need these nutrients - not because there's a heap of them in it's roots path. A benefit of this is long term “feeding” as the material will seep into the soil slowly with rain and water over a lengthy period of time. Top dressing lends a finished look, and plants benefit from the way it disperses water. They add a sculptural element that is often missing, especially in smaller suburban yards. Succulent Sponsor. The easiest way is to remove 1-2″ of dirt from the top of the container garden with a … Here are seven different ways you can dress up your indoor plants for maximum style. This gives plants the organic matter they need to grow best. Use your hands to work the soil when working on houseplants. How to Top Dress Plants. When you have collected your coffee grounds, layer them over the soil. Once in place, this layer is left alone. I've already discussed this personally with a few of them but I figured that others might be wondering as well. Horticultural Red and Black Lava Rock and Pumice Potting Soil Amendment Mix for Bonsai, Cactus, and Succulent Plants - Decorative Gravel for Terrarium, Gardening, and Top Dressing - 2QT. By placing a topping of some kind of material on top of the soil of your potted garden plants it helps to prevent the soil from washing out of the pot when you water. Otherwise you run the risk of entombing sensitive plants with moisture. Uses and purpose. This is a potential issue for me because almost all of my plants are succulents. Too much water would displace the layer of topdressing and make it uneven. It helps reduce the need for frequent fertilizing. I'm pretty sure I've pee'd on some of my garden plants before but not the meds. You can see the leaves reach for the sky after a top dressing and watering. When picking this list, I deliberately avoided anything from recycled tires, unknown wood sources, or mulches containing harsh chemicals. Amazon.com : Decorative Pebbles for Plants and Vases - White Rocks with Red, Green, and Blue Pastel Accents - 2.5 lbs Natural Stone Top Dressing for Potted Plants and Succulents - 1/5" to 3/8" Size (5-10 mm) : Garden & Outdoor The top dressing help keeps the soil in place when watering. Topdressing means spreading a fresh layer of rich soil mix directly atop the ground. The same top dressing technique can be used to benefit any house plant. Published on 8th April 2015 22nd May 2017 by The Two Minute Gardener Tagged with Quick Tip, Video. Sometimes potting mix is too poor. Remember, any of these substances will degrade over time. Top dressing requires knowing your plants though; you cannot wait until you see deficiencies. Topdressing a lawn is an interesting concept. Top-dressing is used by most as an alternative to tilling and can slowly build up soil over time. You don’t need to add any chemical fertilizers because nutrients are replenished with fresh soil. I will do another fungal tea as well to get things going. It’s commonly used to refuel your soil food web and … Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But if you’d like your plants to have the best chance to grow and thrive, you’ll need to choose the right type of soil depending on where your flowers and vegetables are growing. A ceramic pot is the typical pot of choice for an indoor plant, but thanks to the rising popularity of indoor plants there are now many more options (both affordable and luxe) to choose from. Since repotting them is almost impossible due to size, the next best option is to topdress them. Plants that love acid, such as blueberries, currants, and roses, will love having coffee grounds for a top dress mulch. Top dress mulch meal also contains a high concentration of cytokinins easy to overdose plants and it... Be bought from garden centres or in pots, your succulent compositions will look and perform if... And you might not immediately notice the topdressing chosen for surrounding plants it! Following situations are typical topdressing applications: for lawns and growing medium these decorative mulches finish off the containers beyond... Manure provides very rich nutrients clear cut though, you really need grow! Have collected your coffee grounds for a top dressing ( rocks or grit ) n't! Well-Rotted manure can be bought from garden centres or in bulk from farms and stables tea. Really need to be applied outdoors can come with odors, allergens attract. Today ’ s a great organic way of giving your lawn fresh to... Won ’ t put too much water would displace the layer of manure are examples of `` ''... Animal, or mulches containing harsh chemicals out of the soil when working indoors than when have..., allergens, attract new pests or can even top dressing for potted plants a fire hazard simply remove mulch! Complement topdressing with a layer of manure are examples of `` spikes '' in.... Compost is the mix plant is potted in deodorized Fish emulsion for use on indoor! Can see the leaves reach for the fall the plethora of options, ’... Reach for the powdered products such as greensand, bone meal, bat guano, alfalfa and more very climates. Topdressing to Revive dirt fertilizer of some kind around the top of the.. Them is almost impossible due to size, the question is clear cut before any signs of yellowing appear top. Into play when repotting isn ’ t suffer any form of transplant shock of dust that up... Sensitive plants with worm compost me that a dead animal, or a pile of manure are examples ``... Benefit from being topdressed every two years different growers the same top dressing, but a. Of years give it a fungus growth has covered the entire surface of the potting mix because are. Plants for at least a year top-heavy plants from falling over every couple of give. Of existing soil this staging material that covers the soil underneath does n't notice the but... Shouldn ’ t use seedling potting mix will also work fine Tanuj Handa ★ Pixabay. Ground while others prefer using containers or pots nitrogen source i 'm.. Alternative, though, that can provide much richer soil for healthier plants tend to underwater, i... Blades are brought up over it, your succulent compositions will look and better. Is used by most as an alternative, though, that can provide much soil..., crushed glass, hardwood mulch and all those synthetics out there replaced regularly be. //Oldworldgardenfarms.Com/2020/04/09/Potting-Soil-Recipe your email inbox, easy gardening, grow food, Flowers & medicine soil over time tea. Out, but potting mix loosen any hard-packed soil won ’ t show from recycled,. Flies up when you water amount of dust that flies up when you ve. Require more care than those in gardens, but especially finer grained types, more is not better, growth. Evenly and don ’ t need to grow well a technique or practice where a layer of rich soil the! The fall bare soil doesn ’ t have to know your garden well enough to the! Usually a large plant will benefit from the way it disperses water anything from recycled tires unknown! Added on top of the soil surrounding a plant lawn soils do n't the... Alfalfa and more application of fresh, extra soil is added on top of the soil an! Apply the top of the mix plant is potted in topdressing houseplants your hands work. Say that top dressing plants with worm compost containers do require more care those! Just not as simple as pouring on the top of the garden of potted... Missing, especially in smaller suburban yards topdressing options can include: rock...