AusBonsai

Thought I might bring this up since I haven't mentioned it. Would colored raffia from Lincraft or Spotlight cause any harm to the bonsai? especially when the cambium etc.. breaks apart?
Whats everyones thought on electrical tape being used as a raffia alternative, using the non sticky side? Will the bark rot when watering since water cannot escape properly?

There are heaps of alternatives to raffia, electrical tape backwards is definately one of them, I beleive they also use bike tire rubber a lot over in europe. I've never used anything other then raffia personally though, so not speaking from experience

Coloured raffia could be ok,I guess it depends on what they use to dye it

Jason wrote:There are heaps of alternatives to raffia, electrical tape backwards is definately one of them, I beleive they also use bike tire rubber a lot over in europe. I've never used anything other then raffia personally though, so not speaking from experience

Coloured raffia could be ok,I guess it depends on what they use to dye it

I know Leong of Bonsai South uses it but if I go to a bike shop and ask, it seems abit awkward if they have 'recycled thrown out' tubes.
I'm thinking about combining raffia and eletrical tape for extra strength.

I get my plain raffia from spotlight, I get rubber tubes from a couple of local bike shops. They just throw them out so reusing them is a bonus. No harm in asking.

Josh

I have seen comments that dies run out of coloured raffia when you water and it stains the bark.

but if I go to a bike shop and ask, it seems abit awkward if they have 'recycled thrown out' tubes.

Sound like you need a friend with thick skin and more front - send them to the bike shop to ask or just get really brave yourself and go in. Tell them you are a bonsai grower then they already know you are weird so won't be surprised when you ask for old tubes Personally, I'm all for reusing anything and for the bike shop, anything that does not go in the bin saves them money on disposal cost.

shibui wrote:I have seen comments that dies run out of coloured raffia when you water and it stains the bark.

but if I go to a bike shop and ask, it seems abit awkward if they have 'recycled thrown out' tubes.

Sound like you need a friend with thick skin and more front - send them to the bike shop to ask or just get really brave yourself and go in. Tell them you are a bonsai grower then they already know you are weird so won't be surprised when you ask for old tubes Personally, I'm all for reusing anything and for the bike shop, anything that does not go in the bin saves them money on disposal cost.

that was one thing i was afraid off was the staining.
im going to a bike shop and ask next week

I have used coloured raffia in the past with no ill effect. I also have a quality of inner tube that works well. Its horses for courses for me.

xIIRevoEvoS wrote:

Jason wrote:There are heaps of alternatives to raffia, electrical tape backwards is definately one of them, I beleive they also use bike tire rubber a lot over in europe. I've never used anything other then raffia personally though, so not speaking from experience

Coloured raffia could be ok,I guess it depends on what they use to dye it

I know Leong of Bonsai South uses it but if I go to a bike shop and ask, it seems abit awkward if they have 'recycled thrown out' tubes.
I'm thinking about combining raffia and eletrical tape for extra strength.

I say go for it mate, no harm in asking Is less rubbish for them in the end, and that'll be one less tire on the rubbish heap taking forever to decompose

As I get older (God willing - smarter) I realize that if you don't ask, the answer is 'No', so what have you got to loose!?!



Cheers
Elmar

CoGRedeMptioN wrote:As I get older (God willing - smarter) I realize that if you don't ask, the answer is 'No', so what have you got to loose!?!



Cheers
Elmar

Nice quote, at tafe . The teacher said something like that where I have to find a dealership/employer for 2 week work experience, face to face with service manager. Deja Vu

After reading this thread I got all excited that I would be able to buy some raffia as there is a spotlight about 2 minutes drive from me, being unable to navigate these kind of shops I couldn't find it and neither could the staff.

Where in the shop would I have the most luck finding it?

Jarad wrote:After reading this thread I got all excited that I would be able to buy some raffia as there is a spotlight about 2 minutes drive from me, being unable to navigate these kind of shops I couldn't find it and neither could the staff.

Where in the shop would I have the most luck finding it?

If the staff can't find it, and they can't call other store to get it for you then I'd go online! Poor customer service is no excuse nowadays with the massive amount of online stores ... I'd be more persistent!

... But that's a personality quirk I have developed!


Cheers
Elmar

Jarad wrote:After reading this thread I got all excited that I would be able to buy some raffia as there is a spotlight about 2 minutes drive from me, being unable to navigate these kind of shops I couldn't find it and neither could the staff.

Where in the shop would I have the most luck finding it?

I had to ask too... the nice lady took me to the craft section and there it was. Felt like a bull in a china shop tho.

Wayne R wrote:

Jarad wrote:After reading this thread I got all excited that I would be able to buy some raffia as there is a spotlight about 2 minutes drive from me, being unable to navigate these kind of shops I couldn't find it and neither could the staff.

Where in the shop would I have the most luck finding it?

I had to ask too... the nice lady took me to the craft section and there it was. Felt like a bull in a china shop tho.

Craft shop like Lincraft/Spotlight aren't worth the money for Xgrams $7+ and I bought 2x 600gram from Auswrap for $10.85 x 2.
They are either in paper like form opposed to natural raffia

Thanks gents.

Why don't bonsai nurseries stock it?