recycled training pots

[alpineart]

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

Hi Mojo , i agree in reguards to moving trees around , i certainly dont throw them , but if you have to get rough with them insert 2 together ,they stack together very snug or simply make a timber surround and insert the tray .Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

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

Hi Mojo , i haven't come across those colanders your talking about but they would be the best thing for training pots .I have come across the stackable baskets but the holes are too large and would require a liner . Do you have a supplier or a contact as i haven't located them up here in Albury/Wodonga or Wangaratta .Cheers Alpine

[Bretts]

Try these guys for mesh pots, lots to choose from and about the best price you will get. I bought some of the green ones of them maybe 4 years ago. They just started to fall apart last spring but about half still going strong.
http://www.easyorchids.com/shop/categor ... &start=100
There is always a reason to move my trees around, especially around repotting time as I am organising the benches. Then there is trimming and I would just rather a pot that holds the soil with little movement as i wince when i see the soil surface cracking on recently repotted trees.
Each to their own though

[rawhide]

I totaly agree bretts about moving pots, i lost 2 great branches on a ceder i have had for many years from leaving the tree for 12 months and not rotating it
to give the tree its fair share of sunlight

[Khoa]

Nice ideas
Thanks

[alpineart]

It would be nice to purchase some orchid pots or colanders however i would need several hundred , way outa my price range /outlay , these are free to a good home and i will certainly fill 100 or more over the winter . I cant see cracking soil being an issue or rotating trees being a problem with these containers , i've got 2 hands Cheers Alpineart

[Bretts]

Yep Alpine I don't intend to suggest it won't work for you but figure movement it is a consideration to keep in mind. I do try to avoid this except for my saplings.