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Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 15th, 2018, 4:56 pm
by sheepdawg
Hey everyone, I have a few trees that I'm planning on putting in a bonsai pot this spring/summer, so I'm looking around.

I have this one bonsai pot that isn't ceramic/clay, but some kind of plastic I think. It looks pretty good, anyone know what they're called? I wouldn't mind some of them if it keeps the cost down.

I'm not having much luck on ebay either.

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 15th, 2018, 7:07 pm
by shibui
You may be talking about a 'mica' pot. They had a limited range but looked almost identical to a dark, unglazed ceramic pot. Hard to tell until you picked one up. These were made in Taiwan? from recycled tyres I think but I have not heard of them being available for some time so the company is probably not making any more. Towards the end the price of Mica pots was almost the same as cheaper Chinese ceramic pots.
More recently I saw an ad from a Chinese company making moulded plastic pots - limited range of size, shape and colour though. Not sure whether anyone is supplying in Aust.

A more pertinent question is why you would want a cheap plastic imitation :lost: If the trees are not ready for exhibition then use black plastic grow pots. Trees will develop much better with a bit of room.
If the trees are ready for exhibition then they deserve decent pots. :imo:

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 15th, 2018, 8:00 pm
by Redsonic
Shibui is right, of course - if they are not ready for a quality pot, keep them in regular grow pots.
There are some plastic "bonsai pots" sold in Australia:
Bonsai Palace

Image

For cheap ceramic pots, Bunnings usually has a range

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 16th, 2018, 6:41 am
by dansai
I've found that Bunnings pots are not that cheap anymore. At least my local one. Cheap crappy pots that aren’t all that cheap. I have had more luck getting better quality pots from Bonsai Nurseries at a similar or less price to what Bunnings are charging. Of course you can also pay more and get better quality.

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 16th, 2018, 7:01 am
by shibui
Good job Red. Those are the new plastic ones I saw advertised. Only 2 sizes and 2 colours available by the look of it though I do see that some overseas outlets have a wider choice of plastic and resin pots.

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 16th, 2018, 9:14 am
by Mbunro
if your not after anything too big check out erin bonsai pottery. they are in the UK but surprisingly affordable (compared to other hand made pots anyway), some nice pots too.
if you buy 5 its free shipping worldwide. i picked up 5 for just under 200$ recently. Also their prices seem to be increasing as they move things over to the european bonsai potters collective, bit still a few bargains to be had through the erin store.

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 16th, 2018, 9:23 am
by Iheartbougs
Ebay has good prices sometimes...unsure if you're into DIY but I've found making my own pots out of mortar to be a really worthwhile venture :)

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 16th, 2018, 2:43 pm
by TimS
Sometimes bonsai nurseries will have a section for damaged pots for 50% off, or alternatively find some discarded wood like treated pine on the side of the road for hard rubbish, chop it up and turn it into grow boxes

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 17th, 2018, 12:18 am
by Tambrand
]Take a large plastic bonsai pot.
Turn over cast in plaster of paris.
Find a pottery, ask about pouring slip or press moulding by hand.
Fire at at pottery.
Glaze is optional and a second firing.

Cheap pots and durable.
Laters.
Tambrand

My nephew's work, slab built.He was 17.
pot10.jpg

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 17th, 2018, 9:12 am
by Iheartbougs
TimS wrote: alternatively find some discarded wood like treated pine on the side of the road for hard rubbish, chop it up and turn it into grow boxes
I actually like the look of wooden boxes (have ~1/4 of my collection in such boxes!), it's nice to be able to customize a box for a particular specimen! Plus you can do things like full mesh bottoms for a bit of a 'colander effect' ;D

My most recent, they come out better and quicker every time too which is nice!
Image

[don't know how to put pics in a post yet ;P ]

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 17th, 2018, 12:41 pm
by TimS
Iheartbougs wrote:
TimS wrote: alternatively find some discarded wood like treated pine on the side of the road for hard rubbish, chop it up and turn it into grow boxes
I actually like the look of wooden boxes (have ~1/4 of my collection in such boxes!), it's nice to be able to customize a box for a particular specimen! Plus you can do things like full mesh bottoms for a bit of a 'colander effect' ;D

My most recent, they come out better and quicker every time too which is nice!
Image

[don't know how to put pics in a post yet ;P ]
Agreed! One of the fences at my house got replaced recently so I saved the old wood and chop it up for boxes as I need it. Cheap and effective as long as you’re not growing edibles in treated pine.

Re: Where to get cheap bonsai pots?

Posted: May 18th, 2018, 5:38 am
by Iheartbougs
TimS wrote: Agreed! One of the fences at my house got replaced recently so I saved the old wood and chop it up for boxes as I need it. Cheap and effective as long as you’re not growing edibles in treated pine.
Yup!! We had a hurricane last year that tore down tons of fences, I collected so much wood I was able to build boxes & benches for everything and still have quite a bit leftover :D