Lifetime tables as benches
- BB Brian
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 232
- Joined: April 3rd, 2017, 9:32 am
- Favorite Species: Chinese Elm
- Bonsai Age: 3
- Bonsai Club: School of Bonsai
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
- Contact:
Lifetime tables as benches
Hello all,
First time bonsaing and have found out immediately that location and benches are crucial for the survival of certain trees if not all species of bonsai trees.
My first temporary table has already grown to 3 and also now using a seating bench.
Any idea if this is a good idea to use these outdoor tables temporarily as we are still renting and looking for a place around western Sydney at the moment.
Also are spacing in the trees substantial?
Tables run from east to west and are north facing
I also purchased my potting bench from IKEA (Hindo range) and have my first yamadori on the ground at this stage.
Happy to hear any of your thoughts and experiences.
Cheers [CLINKING BEER MUGS]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
First time bonsaing and have found out immediately that location and benches are crucial for the survival of certain trees if not all species of bonsai trees.
My first temporary table has already grown to 3 and also now using a seating bench.
Any idea if this is a good idea to use these outdoor tables temporarily as we are still renting and looking for a place around western Sydney at the moment.
Also are spacing in the trees substantial?
Tables run from east to west and are north facing
I also purchased my potting bench from IKEA (Hindo range) and have my first yamadori on the ground at this stage.
Happy to hear any of your thoughts and experiences.
Cheers [CLINKING BEER MUGS]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Ambition without knowledge, is like boat on dry land" - Miyagi
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
- BB Brian
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 232
- Joined: April 3rd, 2017, 9:32 am
- Favorite Species: Chinese Elm
- Bonsai Age: 3
- Bonsai Club: School of Bonsai
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
- Contact:
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
This photo was taken roughly 930am this morning and sun reaches the tables on far left from about 11am.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Ambition without knowledge, is like boat on dry land" - Miyagi
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
- kcpoole
- Perpetual Learner
- Posts: 12272
- Joined: November 12th, 2008, 4:02 pm
- Favorite Species: Maple
- Bonsai Age: 15
- Bonsai Club: the School Of Bonsai
- Location: Western Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Has thanked: 17 times
- Been thanked: 84 times
- Contact:
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
The sun will be blinding off those tables and heat up the trees in summer more than otherwise.
Ken
Ken
Check out our Wiki for awesome bonsai information www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 7673
- Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
- Favorite Species: trident maple
- Bonsai Age: 41
- Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
- Location: Yackandandah
- Has thanked: 67 times
- Been thanked: 1419 times
- Contact:
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
Reflected light from both tables and the fence behind could be an issue but I think most plants will cope with it.
Trees should be regularly turned around so that all sides face the sun. The light colored fence should help reflect light onto the south side of the trees but I think they will still need to be turned around for best health. If trees do not get turned the branches at the back tend to get waker and don't grow well.
Need to take some care with flat surface benches. trees in pots with no feet sometimes do not drain properly. Bonsai pots should have small feet to raise them up so water can drain, even on flat surface. Orchid pots have drain holes in base and at the sides so they are also OK but some pots only have holes underneath so may need to raise them up on small pieces of tile or something. You will probably find that roots will grow out the holes of plastic training pots and grow in the spaces under the pots. Does not really matter but you will need to cut roots to get the trees out of the pots.
Trees on the small table underneath will be in full shade most days so keep an eye on them. They will probably be OK but might just grow longer shoots than normal and desirable.
My trees are closer together (too close) it would be better if mine were spaced like yours. Just remember that some will grow bigger so you'll need to allow more space then.
Trees should be regularly turned around so that all sides face the sun. The light colored fence should help reflect light onto the south side of the trees but I think they will still need to be turned around for best health. If trees do not get turned the branches at the back tend to get waker and don't grow well.
Need to take some care with flat surface benches. trees in pots with no feet sometimes do not drain properly. Bonsai pots should have small feet to raise them up so water can drain, even on flat surface. Orchid pots have drain holes in base and at the sides so they are also OK but some pots only have holes underneath so may need to raise them up on small pieces of tile or something. You will probably find that roots will grow out the holes of plastic training pots and grow in the spaces under the pots. Does not really matter but you will need to cut roots to get the trees out of the pots.
Trees on the small table underneath will be in full shade most days so keep an eye on them. They will probably be OK but might just grow longer shoots than normal and desirable.
My trees are closer together (too close) it would be better if mine were spaced like yours. Just remember that some will grow bigger so you'll need to allow more space then.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- BB Brian
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 232
- Joined: April 3rd, 2017, 9:32 am
- Favorite Species: Chinese Elm
- Bonsai Age: 3
- Bonsai Club: School of Bonsai
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
- Contact:
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
Would bamboo mat help with reflection issue?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Ambition without knowledge, is like boat on dry land" - Miyagi
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 7673
- Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
- Favorite Species: trident maple
- Bonsai Age: 41
- Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
- Location: Yackandandah
- Has thanked: 67 times
- Been thanked: 1419 times
- Contact:
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
Yes. Bamboo mat would cut down reflected light in summer, and also help lift the pots so there will be no problem with water.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Raging Bull
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 835
- Joined: January 3rd, 2017, 9:29 am
- Favorite Species: Pines
- Bonsai Age: 5
- Bonsai Club: Gold Coast-Tweed
- Location: Gold Coast Qld
- Has thanked: 81 times
- Been thanked: 197 times
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 207
- Joined: March 24th, 2013, 7:24 pm
- Favorite Species: Backea
- Bonsai Age: 3
- Bonsai Club: Ausbonsai
- Location: Ocean Shores
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
I started with those tables but found they got pretty grubby and pooled water. I've ripped the plastic off them and sat old wire single bed bases on the legs (my kids like doing flips).
Cheers,
Nigel
Cheers,
Nigel
- BB Brian
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 232
- Joined: April 3rd, 2017, 9:32 am
- Favorite Species: Chinese Elm
- Bonsai Age: 3
- Bonsai Club: School of Bonsai
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
- Contact:
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
Ok. Thank you Shibui. Btw visited your website and you have loads of info there. Will consider dropping in if we drive down to Melbourne. Cheers.shibui wrote:Yes. Bamboo mat would cut down reflected light in summer, and also help lift the pots so there will be no problem with water.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Ambition without knowledge, is like boat on dry land" - Miyagi
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 587
- Joined: April 14th, 2016, 2:05 pm
- Favorite Species: all
- Bonsai Age: 3
- Bonsai Club: grow chop snip
- Location: Taree
- Has thanked: 34 times
- Been thanked: 6 times
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
crack upRaging Bull wrote:You will also have to teach your plants table manners
- BB Brian
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 232
- Joined: April 3rd, 2017, 9:32 am
- Favorite Species: Chinese Elm
- Bonsai Age: 3
- Bonsai Club: School of Bonsai
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
- Contact:
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
Haha love itno idea wrote:crack upRaging Bull wrote:You will also have to teach your plants table manners
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Ambition without knowledge, is like boat on dry land" - Miyagi
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
- BB Brian
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 232
- Joined: April 3rd, 2017, 9:32 am
- Favorite Species: Chinese Elm
- Bonsai Age: 3
- Bonsai Club: School of Bonsai
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
- Contact:
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
Picked up a couple of sleepers to update my temporary benches to better temporary benches. Haha.
And no more issues with puddles on tables now.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
And no more issues with puddles on tables now.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Ambition without knowledge, is like boat on dry land" - Miyagi
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
- Pearcy001
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 1307
- Joined: February 8th, 2015, 7:23 pm
- Favorite Species: Natives and Exotics
- Bonsai Age: 0
- Location: Yarraville, VIC
- Been thanked: 81 times
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
The benches are looking great Banong, but be careful. In my experience when orchid pots are placed directly on the wood with no airflow between, a number of moulds begin to grow like crazy. I mean crazy moulds, all different shades of green and one I have at the moment is even a vibrant orange!
I have 3 - 4 pebbles beneath each of my orchid pots in order to lift them up and allow airflow between the timber and pot base.
Cheers,
Pearcy.
Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk
I have 3 - 4 pebbles beneath each of my orchid pots in order to lift them up and allow airflow between the timber and pot base.
Cheers,
Pearcy.
Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk
Last edited by Pearcy001 on June 20th, 2017, 8:34 pm, edited 3 times in total.
- BB Brian
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 232
- Joined: April 3rd, 2017, 9:32 am
- Favorite Species: Chinese Elm
- Bonsai Age: 3
- Bonsai Club: School of Bonsai
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
- Contact:
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
Thanks for the tip Pearcy,Pearcy001 wrote:The benches are looking great Banong, but be careful. In my experience when orchid pots are placed directly on the wood with no airflow between, a number of moulds begin to grow like crazy. I mean crazy moulds, all different shades of green and one I have at the moment is even a vibrant orange!
I have 3 - 4 pebbles beneath each of my orchid pots in order to lift them up and allow airflow between the timber and pot base.
Cheers,
Pearcy.
Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk
i'm thinking a nice bamboo table runner that i can place on the benches.
will check Bunnings if anything like that exists.
"Ambition without knowledge, is like boat on dry land" - Miyagi
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
IG: @bonsaibuzz #bonsaibuzz
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 7673
- Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
- Favorite Species: trident maple
- Bonsai Age: 41
- Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
- Location: Yackandandah
- Has thanked: 67 times
- Been thanked: 1419 times
- Contact:
Re: Lifetime tables as benches
Treated pine sleepers like these often twist as they dry out, sometimes they don't move much , sometimes quite a lot. I find it is best to screw the pair to something rigid to hold them flat while they dry out. A short board at right angles across the pair at both ends should do.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;