recycled training pots

[alpineart]

This is my latest idea for the use in Bonsai .Recycled plastic training pots/trays

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The new look meat trays used by Woolworths/Safeway .They are Stackable , Light Weight , Tapered for easy tree removal , Cheap , Strong and as good as anything i have seen in the past .Simply punch , drill or burn holes for drainage and aeration and use .I have collected about 40 of these in various sizes so i don't have to waste any more time trying to find trays or pots for training .The clear trays will give a good indication as to root growth , water table /moisture content and drainage Ican guaratee you will see quite a few of these on my benches .Cheers Alpineart

[PaulC]

Thanks Alpineart,

Great tip, in fact I have been using similar trays for moss growing and water retention only, never gave a thought for actual planting.


Well Done !!


Its always good to think outside of the square,...... unless you ARE one.


Thanks again.




Paul

[kcpoole]

Neat idea
Will have to start to save them
Any idea on the u/v stabilisation of them?

Ken

[PaulC]

HI Ken,


my thoughts are that considering they are food grade plastics, they wont deteriorate quickly, ( kind of like shopping bags and tupperware).

The ones I have used, if the same seem to last forever, as they are in all elements.

And besides, being available, as part of your purchase with meat etc.... and tapered, hey, if they look shabby, slip pot and away you go !!


Regards,


Paul

[alpineart]

Hi PaulC , 100training pots will set you back a few hundred dollars , these are free after the meat is paid for . Surprisingly they tend to be close to the size of some of the pots and trays i have here . Re-use recycle and save , Great for the beginners as well as older buggers like me .Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

Hi KC . Paul beat me to the punch , food grade material has to be cleaner also than some of the materials i've used in the past .Cheers Alpine

[PaulC]

Shhhhh.........................


Be carefull, all this talk of added bonus with what we buy, recycling and conservation of things.....

We dont want to give the wrong Idea that Bonsai folk are not only considerate to nature, but poor as well?

Perhaps we sould all ask for a Government grant for recycling and conservation...............on a small scale of course?

Imagine...........I have a dream...albeit it on a grand but small scale ?!!


Regards,


Paul

[rawhide]

Carefull Paul they will throw a tax on us for our meat

[Bretts]

I am a little careful about using this sought of thing for my trees as I fear the movement in them could damage the roots as I move them around. Maybe it won't be an issue with these or for some But I found using seedling tray's for bonsai did not work great as fine roots could be damaged when moving the tree about in the early rooting stages.

[MattA]

Hey Alpine,

They are fantastic for seed raising and short term growing but tend to get brittle in the sun after a year or so. I use them as well as a number of other containers for various things.

Mini hothouses for small pots from cake trays & plastic kiwi boxes are an all in one home for early seed raising or real tender mini's. I also sometimes put a few smaller ones in the fridge in them...

I also tend to agree with Brett about the soil movement especially during the early establishment stages. I have a few bread and other crates that make just the right home for a batch of plastic trays and make it easier to move a heap of plants easily. I have half a dozen or so, some in use others for general carryalls

Matt

[nealweb]

Wok fried noodles from my local japanese take away come in very cool plastic bowls, quite strong too, i have collected a few now ready for the coming potting season

[Mojo Moyogi]

I have tried lots of different growing containers over the years, free ones, cheap and expensive containers, but I personally have not found anything that comes close to the $2 plastic collanders that I now buy. They even work great if you have run out of decent soil components and only have proprietary potting mix available. It's all about airflow and drainage. And they do not look like breaking down due to UV down after 3 years of use, and I grow almost all of my trees in full sun.

Cheers,
Mojo

[Mojo Moyogi]

I am a little careful about using this sought of thing for my trees as I fear the movement in them could damage the roots as I move them around. Maybe it won't be an issue with these or for some But I found using seedling tray's for bonsai did not work great as fine roots could be damaged when moving the tree about in the early rooting stages.

Don't move the tree about then, if you can avoid it. Brett, seed trays are probably a bit shallow in your summer I reckon, unless you can be with your trees all day, every day.

Cheers,
Mojo

[alpineart]

Hi Bretts , these have only been used by Woolworths up my way for the last 3 months , they are quite thick unlike the early trays they used , and have ribbed sides , bases with a wide lip .I tend to use training pots for about 1-2 seasons and root damage would not be an issue unless you were as rough as guts with your plants .Mine sit on a bench and are rotated for a balanced growth .I have been using seedling trays without any issues except to much drainage again i'm not gentle but they stand up to my treatment .Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

Hi nealweb , mate i would like to get my hands on a few of those containers , you test them out as i will give these trays a work out to exceed there intended use .Cheers Alpine