Yesterday I received an order of pond baskets that I intend to use to pot up some Scots Pine seedlings that I started last year. I just thought that I would show one so that those of you who are not aware of this technique could take a look.
[url=https://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pondbasketsdn9.jpg][img]https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/70/pondbasketsdn9.th.jpg[/img][/url]
The advantage of this technique is twofold. Firstly, it provides the excellent drainage that is so important for developing bonsai, particularly Pines. Secondly, when new rootlets emerge from the holes in the pots they die back, this in turn encourages new roots to emerge from deeper inside the pot. The idea is to promote a fibrous, ramified root system that will be beneficial later in the life of the tree.
Norm
Yep, You have to love the pond baskets!Gnome wrote:Yesterday I received an order of pond baskets that I intend to use to pot up some Scots Pine seedlings that I started last year. I just thought that I would show one so that those of you who are not aware of this technique could take a look.
Especially at a dollar or two each [Far cheaper in bulk].
It goes without saying...Yet, Here I go: Provided you have a proper potting medium.Gnome wrote:...it provides the excellent drainage that is so important for developing bonsai,
I just wanted to add that.
I hope people realize just how excellent of an idea this is.
Thanks Gnome
ynot
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Ynot,
Norm
Yes, these are fairly small and at .69c ea. very reasonably priced.Yep, You have to love the pond baskets!
Especially at a dollar or two each [Far cheaper in bulk].
Today I began preparing my potting medium for these little Pines. The planned medium is a 50/50 mix of lava rock and Haydite. This will be my first season with anything in a 100% inorganic medium. I also have a Juniper that will get potted in a similar mix. I am looking forward to the upcoming re-potting, getting tired of winter.It goes without saying...Yet, Here I go: Provided you have a proper potting medium.
Norm
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Tarian,
Hello,
Look to pet/pond supply houses for these in various sizes round and square. If you can find them, inexpensive plastic colanders can also be used.
Norm
Hello,
Yes it is but I can't take credit for it. Other growers have been using this technique for years now. I can remember reading about a similar idea in an old Organic Gardening magazine that described potting tree seedling in open ended cylindrical shaped containers for similar reasons.waw great idea
Look to pet/pond supply houses for these in various sizes round and square. If you can find them, inexpensive plastic colanders can also be used.
Norm
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Gnome,
[url=https://www.rootmaker.com/]This[/url] may be what Randy refers to, After a quick look at it I would say the concept looks sound.
It has much in common with the pond basket idea.
constantstaticx3,
I am glad you are familiar with Chris Johnstons' website! I have a lot of respect for him.
[img]https://www.mysmilie.de/english/green/smilies/happy/14.gif[/img]
ynot
[url=https://www.rootmaker.com/]This[/url] may be what Randy refers to, After a quick look at it I would say the concept looks sound.
It has much in common with the pond basket idea.
constantstaticx3,
I am glad you are familiar with Chris Johnstons' website! I have a lot of respect for him.
[img]https://www.mysmilie.de/english/green/smilies/happy/14.gif[/img]
ynot
Yes, that's the pot. When the girls get in from California tonight with my camera, I take a couple good photos to show you what a great pot it is. That's the growing pot you see all of my rough material in before they get moved to bulb pans.ynot wrote:Gnome,
[url=https://www.rootmaker.com/]This[/url] may be what Randy refers to, After a quick look at it I would say the concept looks sound.
It has much in common with the pond basket idea.
constantstaticx3,
I am glad you are familiar with Chris Johnstons' website! I have a lot of respect for him.
[img]https://www.mysmilie.de/english/green/smilies/happy/14.gif[/img]
ynot
Actually the pond basket idea has much in common with the rootmaker. The rootmaker is after all designed for this specific purpose by one of the most respected and reputable men in this century when it comes to producing quality plants commercially.
Simple, Proper bonsai soil is nowhere near small enough to go through the holes in a {IE} water pond basket.Petra26 wrote:um, with the openings so big on these baskets, how do you prevent all the soil from falling out. especially if you are trying to fill it and watering it? :shock::?:
[ I refer to {As I often preach;)} particle size-It is a large course medium]
ynot
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ynot,
Tom
Yes your actualy the one that gave me the link and it is very helpful and informative. I suggest anyone who is going to grow pines to read that over and over, I did. Also, on the site it give you a link to another site with even more information its worth taking a look at.I am glad you are familiar with Chris Johnstons' website! I have a lot of respect for him.
Tom
Some of them absolutely are larger.Petra26 wrote:oh oops. these baskets are much smaller than I thought. I thought they were like 12" in dia. or bigger. thought they were like buckets...
Keep in mind that a 12" square pot is 1728 cubic inches of soil as opposed to one [Average malsai pot] sized 6x5x2.5 which is 75 cubic inches. The increase in available soil volume for the roots to colonize is more than twenty three fold. It does not take a massive increase in pot size to increase the soil volume.
Generally, The holes in the side are the same size no matter the basket size.
The holes in the side do vary in size between the different manufactures though.
Tom,
Are you saying people actually read the posted links??? :)...Who knew?;)
Yep, Good pine info there for sure [And the links too].
I am very happy to hear you are continuing to seek info, [img]https://www.mainzelahr.de/smile/froehlich/biggrin3.gif[/img]Way to go!:)
ynot
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Petra,
Yes these are not terribly large but neither are the seedling intended for them. As Ynot has noted the potting medium is coarse enough that there is no problem with leakage.
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Norm
Yes these are not terribly large but neither are the seedling intended for them. As Ynot has noted the potting medium is coarse enough that there is no problem with leakage.
[url=https://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?image=comparisonas4.jpg][img]https://img402.imageshack.us/img402/120/comparisonas4.th.jpg[/img][/url]
Norm
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Yes I read every link that is given to me, the internet is a great source of info for bonsai. I like to read anything that has to do with bonsai, every bit of info is helpful. I don't understand why other people who post here don't read the links that are given to them, after all they are asking for help aren't they?Are you saying people actually read the posted links??? ...Who knew?
Tom
I wish everybody did !constantstaticx3 wrote:Yes I read every link that is given to me, the internet is a great source of info for bonsai. I like to read anything that has to do with bonsai, every bit of info is helpful.Are you saying people actually read the posted links??? ...Who knew?
Brother, You are preaching to the choir - It's very obvious when that happens also.constantstaticx3 wrote: I don't understand why other people who post here don't read the links that are given to them, after all they are asking for help aren't they?
Tom
Gnome, We are kinda hijacking your basket thread so feel free to delete any [or any portion] of my posts if you feel the need.
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I have personally been using pond baskets for years and I swear by them. They are also called aquatic planters and you can find them at times in the large square sizes at Lowes, Home depot, or other box stores. Buy in the fall and you can pick up 12" x 12" baskets for a buck apiece.
The purpose of course is for developing the fine feeder roots we need for survival in a bonsai pot, the screened sides air prune the roots causing back growth of finer roots.
Will Heath
The purpose of course is for developing the fine feeder roots we need for survival in a bonsai pot, the screened sides air prune the roots causing back growth of finer roots.
Will Heath