AusBonsai

I found these shelving units at an old Growers Market. $50 each. Had my 4yo help with painting the fence. Going to put mesh on the monkey poles as the old tops had started to rot. Still some work to, but starting to look good. NOTE: My shelves are level, it is the fence that runs downhill...
I have more trees to put out, we just put a few on the shelves to get them off the ground...

Looks very neat and tidy
The trouble with tiered shelves is the lower ones are always shaded. You will need to be very disciplined and turn the trees every few days i think.

It faces North, so has sun most of the day. I understand what you're saying though...

Nice job. In my old townhouse, I painted the fences a dark eggplant colour to make the plants 'pop', after noticing that plant photographers often use a purple / indigo colour as a backdrop for photos. The dark shelving units are doing the same thing, making the trees 'pop'.

Cheers

J

It faces North, so has sun most of the day. I understand what you're saying though...

It may face north and have sun most of the day but only one side of the trees get sun. The back of the trees will be completely shaded unless you rotate them often. We regularly see trees where back branches are weak or dying because they have not had direct sun.
ALL bonsai, even free standing, should be rotated as often as possible to keep all branches healthy. I believe NBPCA rotate trees daily I try to turn mine every week.

That is a very nice display.

While Shibui is right re sun you could potentially use mirrors/reflective surfaces... impractical but an option. Have you seen Apocalypse Now, when the surfer character is sunbathing on the boat (see pic).... This is a more modern take Reflected light burns much like full spectrum sun, so assume it has the same benefits - not sure if there are risks...

Anyone want to correct me? I might go erect some mirrors to get more lights to my plants during these winter months...

Looks good, just keep an eye on the black surfaces storing heat, especially in Summer with direct sunlight, these have the potential to place addition warmth in and around the pots, which can stress, even boil your precious bonsai. Wood slats under the pots may alleviate this (?).

Thanks to Shibui and the advice about turning trees.
I was motivated enough to go out this morning and turn all 60 of my trees, it only took about 15 minutes. All my trees face north during winter and of course I had the fronts facing north. While I was aware I should turn them, all my trees have been repotted and styled over the past twelve months, so I thought just leave them facing north during winter as they re-establish.

My surprise this morning was two of my larger trees, a pine and a tiger bark fig were very poor on the back , on the other hand two chinese elms had brighter/healther growth on the back of the tree as well as nice dark bark on the trunk . One of my larger junipers actually looks better from the back (new front?) .

My trees will be turned once a week from now on!

Thanks again folks.

Yep,
Turn them once a week for an even tan!

So after doing some research and listening to the advice given on this awesome forum, the tiered metal shelving units will be temporary. Will get some work done on my trees in the next couple of weekends and then assess the shelving situation.

I know they are more expensive but check out the heavy duty shelving from bunnings. You can buy the ends and different length support beams and a mesh top. Saves a lot of hassle if it can fit in your back yard. There was a post on here earlier about them.

Raymond wrote:So after doing some research and listening to the advice given on this awesome forum, the tiered metal shelving units will be temporary. Will get some work done on my trees in the next couple of weekends and then assess the shelving situation.

If it were mine I'd use it next to my potting bench or in the shed - perfect for storing pots, hang tools/wire rolls on the back

Sean M wrote:I know they are more expensive but check out the heavy duty shelving from bunnings. You can buy the ends and different length support beams and a mesh top. Saves a lot of hassle if it can fit in your back yard. There was a post on here earlier about them.

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=17849&start=0&hilit=permanent

cre8ivbonsai wrote:

Sean M wrote:I know they are more expensive but check out the heavy duty shelving from bunnings. You can buy the ends and different length support beams and a mesh top. Saves a lot of hassle if it can fit in your back yard. There was a post on here earlier about them.

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=17849&start=0&hilit=permanent

Haha, yep thats the one! After I saw that post I ended up getting one for the kitchen (as the Mrs loves that industrial chic look). I will eventually get a couple for my trees...eventually.