AusBonsai

Gday guys,
Anyone out there use anything apart from commercial bonsai mesh for covering drainage holes in pots? I've heard that flywire can become clogged...is this true?

Thanks

Webos

Not really an alternative but I have seen coarse stone/large diatomite used. This is dependant on the size of the drainage hole and the depth of the pot being used.

Fly wire does clog. I use plastic mesh tree protectors from Bunnings. 3 per pack and very cheap. The holes are approx 3mm, and each one is approx 40cm x 46cm of mesh. About $5-6.

Hi Webos, in my experience, flywire is good for one thing - windows seriously, I used it when I first started potting bonsai, never again, it doesn't allow for free draining, causing root rot/mould, and its a horror to get out of roots once they've grown into it . Stay away from shadecloth as well - similar (non)drainage issues .

Stick with the proper plastic mesh for the best results there's no substitute for something that's been tried and tested

Good luck repotting

Ryan

I have to disagree as to the clogging caper .I use shade cloth and fly wire and always have .. It only clogs if your mix is too fine or you place material like dynamic lifter on in dray loads .Yes Webos there are alternatives , like $2 shop gutter guard it has 6-8mm squares depends on the brand and is around $3 for 10m x 150mm roll .Just for the record i sieve my mixes through 30% shade cloth to remove the -2.5mm fines that supposedly clog the flywire .Cheers Alpineart

I just went out to the local hardware conglomerate and bought some gutter guard which, when comparing side by side with official bonsai mesh, looks and feels very, very similar but pricewise it is exactly the same...lengthwise it is 8metres compared with about 40cm

I find the hatch in gutter guard to be too large.
Just like Bustadog, I have also moved to the tree guards.
I buy "Whites Outdoor" tree tubes. each one is 400mm long and 144mm in diameter. 3 per pack.
They are around $5 and have about a 3mm hatch from B#####NGS.

1 pack lasts me ages.

What will clog your drainage holes depends on your mix, mine is pretty loose (min 50% diatomite) and I have no problems.
In my large cascade or really deep pots, I fill the bottom with crushed quartz.
Like all things Bonsai, personal preference and trial/error will determine which way you go.

Good luck moving forward

Mike.

The other super cheap alternative is the rolls of mesh tape that plasterers? or dry wallers? use. Very cheap, you just cut a little off the roll and its a bit tacky so it sticks to the pot bottom too, no need for wires. The mesh is about the same size as bonsai mesh.