AusBonsai

Hey again,

Sorry for the simple question, I've had a search, but I'm getting a million and one results

I'm curious about grow pots... I see that everyone is using polystyrene box's, and was wondering how they hold up? Do they break apart easy? How do they hold up in the heat?

I have a few large plastic pots that are large (probably 60cm diameter) and was just wondering if I could chop it in half (make it a bit shallower) and use that as a grow pot? or is the polystyrene used for another reason (other then it being cheap and easy)? The large, plastic, round pots seem like they'd work, but am not sure if they would be considered too deep?

I'm pretty tight for space, so am trying to figure the best way to get the most growth withouth putting them in the ground.

Thanks a heap

Hi Jason, the reason for the polystyrene boxes is they do stand up well to the elements. Plus you have a cooling affect in the hot eather of our summers,and the warming affect in winter.

Cheers pup

Thanks a heap for that Pup Thats exactly what I was wanting to know. I'll have to grab some when I'm at the shops. I didn't realise they were so sturdy, they feel like they'd break with the first shovel of dirt

I have a very nice (well in my opinion that is lol) Melaleuca quinquenervia that I'm going to put in a grow box until I'm confident I won't kill/damage it when I work on it

U can also do as you suggested and cut down large plastic pots if your tight for space.

I have had poly boxes for about 5 years and still good
The other thing I use is Orchid pots. They are wide and not as deep and normal.
Do a search here and you will find heasp of places to get them

Ken

Where do you buy these poly boxes ?

Polystyrene boxes are adequate as grow boxes and I have used them for years and still use some for larger trees.
They do insulate from extreme heat and cold but they also decay slowly. Polystyrene gradually decays to white powder on the outside which sticks to anything that touches it so they gradually get thinner and thinner so only last a few years unless protected from the elements (some growers paint the outside to protect and beautify).
Lift carefully because many do break when you pick them up when full of mix and tree.
Most are only single use because roots often penetrate into the polystyrene and you have to destroy the box to repot the tree.

Plastic pots are better long term containers

Meagi wrote:Where do you buy these poly boxes ?

I buy them from the local fruit shop for $2 Each, but many will give them away for free.
just ask them and offer to buy if they will not donate.

Ken

i live in sydneys inner west which has a very big italian and greek population. Every council cleanup i just drive around the streets and pick them up. It seems everyone around here buys bulk from the fruit and veg markets. Picked up 10 and was only one street away

When you paint, use only water based paint as any other will destroy them. I use them as mini hot houses to strike cuttings in also.


Cheers Pup

Thanks for the tips everyone, its good to know there are a few options. I'll probably end up using both, as I've already got a large pot that should suit, and the poly boxes won't be hard to get (there is a cleanup on at the moment, so I'll keep my eyes out )

Does depth matter? I've read that it shouldn't be too deep, so as to encourage roots closer to the surface, is that right? That was why I was thinking of cutting my large pot in half so its not overly deep

Depth doesn't matter much when growing a tree fast - more root space generally = more growth and you will cut most of the roots off later.
Its better to have shallower pots later when you are developing branching and ramification.

note that polystyrene boxes are being phased out by the hort industry and will become harder to get.

shibui wrote:Depth doesn't matter much when growing a tree fast - more root space generally = more growth and you will cut most of the roots off later.
Its better to have shallower pots later when you are developing branching and ramification.

note that polystyrene boxes are being phased out by the hort industry and will become harder to get.

Perfect Shibui, thanks a million

I think for every question I have answered, ten more pop up in its place

I appreciate you all putting up with me

As the other guys have all said, I use styrene boxes for growing on my larger trees too. I paint the outside of the box, usually with Mission Brown, which looks a lot like an unglazed Bonsai pot . Not sure how long they last, but it is a very long time. I usually leave the box at its standard depth, remembering to plant the tree on a tile or something equaly hard, to encourage the roots to initially spread, rather than grow down. The box is usually full f roots by the time I repot , but they have an initial flatness to them.

While the Hort Industry is indeed phaseing out their use of styrene box's, keep your eye on Fish Mongers, as they use them as well (and they already come with built in fertiliser ) I also prefer the wider, flater boxes (like they put seafood into) over the Brocolli ones too. Don't forget to cut the drainage holes in the bottom of whatever you use if they don't have any - some do.

Graeme wrote: Don't forget to cut the drainage holes in the bottom of whatever you use if they don't have any - some do.

I have found using a bamboo garden stake (a little smaller than the diameter of a 5c piece) is great for this. Just push and twist and there you go