What is this for?

Share your success stories about defoliation, bare rooting and anything else relating to maintaining healthy bonsai.
Post Reply
User avatar
benbonsai
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 438
Joined: October 2nd, 2016, 5:13 pm
Favorite Species: Juniper
Bonsai Age: 7
Location: Lake Macquarie, Newcastle NSW
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 25 times

What is this for?

Post by benbonsai »

Any one able to tell my what purpose this piece of plastic serves?
It appears to be an “upper” section of a pot to contain soil. My thoughts were it’s to help with producing good nebari or to ensure good watering?
Iv seen it on quite a few larger trees from overseas and keep wondering what it does.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Slow and steady wins the race
legoman_iac
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 550
Joined: January 18th, 2011, 9:21 am
Favorite Species: Banksia, Fig, Jacaranda, Maple, Oak
Bonsai Age: 12
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 344 times
Been thanked: 149 times

Re: What is this for?

Post by legoman_iac »

Perhaps it's like a cone of shame? Maybe it's got fleas or just be neutered? Haha.

Better guess, to raise the nebari? In preparation of a root trim and shallower repot?
shibui
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 7653
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: 65 times
Been thanked: 1399 times
Contact:

Re: What is this for?

Post by shibui »

To retain soil. Not sure why but the tree has been potted higher in the pot and the ring holds the soil above pot level from washing away.
We sometimes use that when layering close above existing roots but this one already clearly has good roots so not for layering in this case.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
benbonsai
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 438
Joined: October 2nd, 2016, 5:13 pm
Favorite Species: Juniper
Bonsai Age: 7
Location: Lake Macquarie, Newcastle NSW
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 25 times

Re: What is this for?

Post by benbonsai »

Okay thanks guys
I thought as much
Slow and steady wins the race
User avatar
wrcmad
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 545
Joined: April 25th, 2014, 10:57 pm
Favorite Species: Maple, Pine, Fig
Bonsai Age: 34
Location: Northern NSW
Has thanked: 132 times
Been thanked: 74 times

Re: What is this for?

Post by wrcmad »

I would suggest is that it is to retain water.
Mirai uses this technique.
When the tree needs repotting, and the soil becomes a little compacted and less permeable, the water can run off the surface before penetrating the soil, and fail to penetrate the root ball.
You can see there has been soil "filler" placed around the inside of the plastic ring - this is to force the water to the centre of the pot, rather than just accumulate at the edges and run down the inside edge of the pot - again to force water to penetrate the root ball closer to the trunk.
User avatar
Ryceman3
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2595
Joined: October 19th, 2014, 10:39 am
Favorite Species: Pines & Mels
Bonsai Age: 7
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 1041 times
Been thanked: 1535 times

Re: What is this for?

Post by Ryceman3 »

Exactly what @wrcmad said.
terryb
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 559
Joined: April 29th, 2016, 3:44 pm
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: SA Bonsai Society; VNBC
Location: Adelaide
Has thanked: 521 times
Been thanked: 199 times

Re: What is this for?

Post by terryb »

Great idea!
User avatar
dansai
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1257
Joined: May 17th, 2010, 5:33 pm
Favorite Species: Aussie Natives
Bonsai Age: 5
Bonsai Club: Coffs Harbour
Location: Mid North Coast, NSW, Australia
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 127 times

Re: What is this for?

Post by dansai »

Could also be that the tree has produced a lot of roots that has pushed it up out of the pot and it is not a good time for repotting and so having something to retain moisture until it can be repotted.
Travelling the Mid North Coast of NSW and beyond to attend Markets and other events

www.bonsaibus.com.au - www.facebook.com/TheBonsaiBus - www.instagram.com/thebonsaibus
User avatar
benbonsai
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 438
Joined: October 2nd, 2016, 5:13 pm
Favorite Species: Juniper
Bonsai Age: 7
Location: Lake Macquarie, Newcastle NSW
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 25 times

Re: What is this for?

Post by benbonsai »

dansai wrote: May 29th, 2022, 6:33 pm Could also be that the tree has produced a lot of roots that has pushed it up out of the pot and it is not a good time for repotting and so having something to retain moisture until it can be repotted.
This is kinda what I thought it was for, all the other information also makes a lot of sense
Slow and steady wins the race
Post Reply

Return to “Tips, Techniques, Maintenance and Advice”