AusBonsai

I have been using these for a number of years due to easy access (the tip has heaps) and thought it could be helpful
to some new to Bonsai. The washing bowl out of an old washing machine has heaps of drainage holes and tie down points
neatly available around the top of the bowl and drainage holes all the way down.
It is large enough for a good Yamadori collect, light and rounded at the bottom for easy shifting and rolling, dragging etc.
If you didn't know about these then, like Molly says "Do yourself a favour".

That is a cracking idea Bohdi! They look tidy enough that you could sneak the pots onto the patio or out into the garden as specimen trees rather than needing to try and hide them out of eyeshot. Getting some bigger trees in development out into the open and away from the rest of the bonsai debris could be a win/win. Better conditions for the trees and some new found (if fleeting) respect for the bonsai process from partners growing impatient with the time it takes to see some (acceptable!) results.... I can see an instant home for a couple of eucalypt/corymbia ficifolia that are a few years off flowering but need to bulk up with some serious crowns.

Nice patina on that one of yours. Is that straight out of the kiln or has it had a bit of seasoning to get to that colour?

So im assuming there is no need to have a mesh around these holes as they are tiny coz otherwise this would be a bit of excercise. Will definiltely tr it. But any other suggestion if i cant find this? Can or should i use styrofoam?

Steve B wrote:Nice patina on that one of yours. Is that straight out of the kiln or has it had a bit of seasoning to get to that colour?
The Perfect training pot?

It has a 15 year old patina on it and certainly adds to the character. I think you can get stainless one's if you want to go upmarket and impress the Wife.

bonsaeen wrote:So im assuming there is no need to have a mesh around these holes as they are tiny coz otherwise this would be a bit of excercise. Will definiltely tr it. But any other suggestion if i cant find this? Can or should i use styrofoam?

No wire needed except the hole on the bottom on which i put a bit of flywire over. The problems with styro is it breaks down and you get white all over you when you pick it up. Also if you leave a tree to long the roots grow into it and you have to break them apart. I will not use styro anymore.

Any alternate? I really need to get some of these trees some room but the place I am renting doesn't have a proper backyard or anything so I have limited options. A mate of mine does have a bit of ground I can use but that means I will have to trust someone else with my trees and if they don't take care of them then i can't blame anyone really and I would like to be in control coz otherwise it isn't much of a hobby lol

bonsaeen wrote:Any alternate?

Bonsabeen, you can grow beginner trees in just about anything. Probably the best is if you go to your local tip you can bet they will have hundreds of pots (plastic) just cut then in half and there is your training pot. Otherwise styro box's are good for a year.

Hello Bonsaeen,

If like me and you don't have a local or nearby Tip that on-sells materials.
I go to the $2 Shop (or equivalent) and buy colanders.
A styro box sized colander should sell for less than $10.
I buy 380mm x 280mm x 100mm deep colanders for $4.

Not as cheap as Daylesford unfortunately.

Kevin

Good idea mate will try that for sure.

yeah 2 buckers for 300ishx300ish round colanders at the reject shop if you have one close by

But what about the tree? Great to see some quality Aussie Yamadori, what is it, how long since collection?
Love the training technique too - no wire marks for you.
Cheers, Symon

So I have gone and picked up 6 Colanders at 1.75 each. Question is do I need a layer of some heavy grain/gravel at the bottom or just the soil all the way is fine?

Nice Willow there Bodhi. Any chance you can start a thread on it? I'd like to compare notes.

Matt.

Hello Bonsaeen,

No special layer required.
I just fill with my normal mix and plant away.

Kevin

delisea wrote:But what about the tree? Great to see some quality Aussie Yamadori, what is it, how long since collection?
Love the training technique too - no wire marks for you.
Cheers, Symon

It is a willow that was layered off the top of my other willow. i now have two going.

Matt S wrote:Nice Willow there Bodhi. Any chance you can start a thread on it? I'd like to compare notes.

Matt.

Can do Matt, problematic little buggers aren't they.

Good "air pot" idea for large trees. Looking closely at your willows, what is the material that you have applied to the branches to weigh them down? I've never seen or read about it, but it looks like a good idea as long as it doesn't dissolve from being watered, freeze off in the winter, or melt off in the summer sun. Cheers!


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