AusBonsai

bodhidharma wrote:

senseijames wrote:Hey guys / gals...I think we got a bit off track here....I wasn't talking about wiring the tree into the pot....only holding the mesh in place over the holes....I liked the idea of the plasterers tape ?? but is the glue toxic to plants??....anyway I guess each to his/her own. cheers, pleasant Bonsaing.
James

G'day James, i know you havent been with us long but these sorts of threads ALWAYS get of track. Sit back and enjoy the coming and goings of Aus Bonsai

LOL yeah sorry

As for the Glue? I have no idea but as the product is used is not harmful to people,then as there is so little of it I would doubt that it is a problem to plants

Ken

I think that wiring trees into the pot is so essential. All my trees are tied in super tight so there is no movement at all. There is nothing worse than coming home on a windy day and finding trees blown out of their pots. I would have thought this is standard practice for all bonsai growers.
Craig

bodhidharma wrote:

senseijames wrote:Hey guys / gals...I think we got a bit off track here....I wasn't talking about wiring the tree into the pot....only holding the mesh in place over the holes....I liked the idea of the plasterers tape ?? but is the glue toxic to plants??....anyway I guess each to his/her own. cheers, pleasant Bonsaing.
James

G'day James, i know you havent been with us long but these sorts of threads ALWAYS get of track. Sit back and enjoy the coming and goings of Aus Bonsai

G'day bodhidharma, "sorry don't know your name" " yet " , yes mate I can see what you mean, this is the best SITE EVER since web browsing started, the information available on here is worth its weight in gold !! Wished I had found it years ago...i might have some better Bonsai specimen by now...if I had. regards
James

We have been using plasterers tape to cover drain holes for 3 years now with no sign of harm to trees. It is quick and easy and cheap. Other club members have been using it since soon after it was available - still no sign of harm to trees.
It does not really have to stick over the holes unless you spend time moving the tree around in the pot while considering the location.

On wiring in trees I only wire in trees that have inadequate rootsystems. Most advanced upright trees have a spreading rootbase and will sit in the pot even in most winds. Literati and cascades usually need tying in.

Each to their own though. Whatever works.

Hey thats Big George's saying

Just further the off-topic-ness but I've read a bit about wiring trees in and I must say I'm a little confused on where the wire goes around the tree itself? Does it go on top of the entire root ball or lower? I figured if it were too high you'd see it in the soil line and it would spoil the aesthetics. If that makes sense| The only pictures I've seen of the process are confusing.

It all depends on the tree and root ball you are dealing with Rhiannon.
If the roots are very poor ie non existent then wood strips can be used to cage the tree in or ties are put over branches down to the pot to hold the tree secure.

If it is a decent radial healthy root spread a single wire may be sufficient over the root ball. Maybe one wire each side over the root ball may be needed to hold the tree as you want or even back and front. There is a very neat tie in technique I think I saw Boon or one of his students show that uses two sets of wires leaving four wire ends! The interesting technique is that they then circulate the wire one wire leading to the next until all four ends make a square enclosure around the trunk. Looks to be very secure.
I want to learn it so I will find the link and post it.

In any event in general the idea is to go over the root ball but conceal the wire under the soil.

Bretts, I think it's called "cage wiring" and it is fantastic method for solid root balls, though motte best on poor roots. The methods ou describe are great for that.