Wooden Bonsai pots

[Ron]

If you're sick of the sight of coolite boxes in your backyard these might worth considering if you're a handperson and have access to reasonably-priced wood (and that's the dealbreaker, isn't it?).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrae_gFKGP8&"

[Jamie]

thats quite a simple yet good looking idea. i think you could find timber for this from a recycle yard, you would be surprised at how cheap you can pick it up for.

they do look a lot better then styro boxes for sure and i think they are quite simple to build any one that can swing a hammer should be able to do so, if not, use a drill and screw them together

[Pup]

Ron many years ago when I used them a lot polystyrene and Mrs Pup complained. I got some water based paint it was then called mission brown. They disappeared and no more complaints.

You can use any colour by the way as long as it is water based coz, if its not it will melt the styrene.
What I find a better use for when I have the timber is to make show stands. My biggest problem is getting a nice finish. So it is usually gloss Black.

I was posting this when Jamie stopped me he said that any one can swing a hammer!!!. The better way is the suggestion of screws, so when you have to re pot or move the tree to a smaller-- bigger one just unscrew and there you have it. I have done that to, its just styrene are lighter when full of soil. My back is old Jamie and not as bad as yours, but I have to be careful.

Cheers Pup

[bodhidharma]

Interesting. I have been using old floorboards and fit them together without nails. I will see if i have some photos. I fit them together and hold them in place with pieces of bamboo. You do need a drop saw and jigsaw but thats about it.

[bodhidharma]

Here it is

[Ron]

Ron many years ago when I used them a lot polystyrene and Mrs Pup complained. I got some water based paint it was then called mission brown. They disappeared and no more complaints.

I recently asked my local shopkeeper to save his poly boxes for me and in just two weeks or so I already have 15 to 20. I don't want to say no when he offers them as I want to keep the supply up. However, Mrs Bonsai Learner is also getting a bit fed up with a backyard that's suddenly covered in pots and white boxes so the water-based paint's not a bad idea, Pup.

Cheers, Ron

PS My daughter is also annoyed because I keep the empty boxes near her bedroom window and they make a heck of a racket when it rains.

[Greth]

I get these from husbands work, used to move large machinery parts, and made of scrap wood. Given a sanding and a treatment of linseed oil, they look really good. Husband works as a gearbox engineer, if that can help you source some.
Most I am using for planters, two contain potentsai, one still undecided, but I have heaps of stuff I would like to plant in it, and there might be more soon.

planter 2.jpg

[Luke]

great idea and topic Ron!!!
And cool stuff Bohdi!!! (no nails, no screws!) i like to to work with wood and building things is a hobby, this idea of no fixings reminds me of old wood cabins and barns where they had no nails.. only ingenuity.. and style
i really like the look of wooden grow boxes! your lucky to have free access to nice ones greth!!
I have as yet only used timber on two pots... one> is a grow box, just pieces of cedar shingles wedged into the sides of a (cut in half) milk crate, with shade cloth on the bottom....


The other is a small (200x150x50mm) pot built with cedar chingles, nails, wire and part of a plastic vent plate we had laying around. i really like this one and must take and share some pics.... im unsure as to what tree will most excentuate it when i do have something worthy, it has a very rough n rustic look to it...
anyway... the reason for the use of cedar comes from wise words of my late grandfather... "cedar is almost completely weather proof!! it will not rot"

PS i am going to build some more of these cedar pots.... if anyone is interested in a custom sized timber bonsai pot let me know... (once you have seen some basic pics of course)

cheers
lukey

[Bretts]

Interesting. I have been using old floorboards and fit them together without nails. I will see if i have some photos. I fit them together and hold them in place with pieces of bamboo. You do need a drop saw and jigsaw but thats about it.

That is a good idea Bodi. How does the bottom go together though?

[bodhidharma]

Interesting. I have been using old floorboards and fit them together without nails. I will see if i have some photos. I fit them together and hold them in place with pieces of bamboo. You do need a drop saw and jigsaw but thats about it.

That is a good idea Bodi. How does the bottom go together though?

Brett's, my man You are sharp. I put a small (10mmx10mm) piece of timber, around the bottom and dowel them on. I found it much faster to use brass screws though. Cut boards to fit the bottom and loose fit them. That way, at repotting time you just drop the pot onto a Besser block the sides drop down and you can do your root pruning and repotting

[Bretts]

Thanks Bodi that is a great setup. Might have to try that through the Winter

[bingh]

This pot was made from western red cedar and painted mission brown. At the time when I made it a clay pot of that size (1m long) was far beyond my financial means. I would never have shown it in that pot. The foliage was 1.6m wide

Brian