DIY temp.pots

[Gunstock]

I've been researching how to style my first juniper with an S shape. And I came to a point where rationalizing different options is what I need to do. And so far, I could get 2 rafts from it but finding a cheap pot with the perfect dimensions is harder than I realized. How could I make my own pot? The crown(1st.raft)is arched an inch 1/2 and is 7" to 9" long.
But for the sake of an argument lets say there's only 1 raft on the top.
And since I've been considering the raft, new growth is starting on the bare side that I was going to strip the bark from to make the raft.
OR I could still just watch it growing, cleaning out dead growth as it ages and wiring and pruning here an there.
Another thing that worries me is will it survive the wintering outside placed in a cardboard box layered with mulch and with a wind barrier on 2 sides and protected with a plastic tarp that's easy to remove so I can water it. I'm fairly sure the wind won't be a problem! It's the dry air from the wind and freezing moisture that can be a big problem. Any suggestions and ideas are welcome

 

[eferguson1974]

If your not looking for a bonsai pot, maybe a colander will work. Theyre cheap and help roots develope. I use lots of them. Hope that helps.

 

[Paradox]

You don't want a bonsai pot per se.

Things that make great training pots include bulb pans (shorter and wider nursery pot ). The holes on these are on the bottom of the pot which makes it easier to put mesh on it compared to the regular nursery pots that have holes on the side.

plastic colanders,

Plastic pond baskets

I've made them out of plastic storage boxes I bought a Target. Drilled holes in the bottom and put plastic needlepoint screen on the sides to hold the soil. I've had some in use for 5 years with no issues.

 

[sorce]

http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/those-pot-materials.18202/

Sorce

 

[Gunstock]

Thanks those ideas are way better than cutting the wall off a perfectly new plastic bonsai pot and struggling to tip it level while a root graft grows in. I wired the arch today and didn't do a very satisfactory job, because I, well "new to bonsai". I only got half of it level, I'm so dumb if I just used a longer wire the whole thing would be flat now, I'll still need to cinch the branch down., and then did some pruning and wiring on the lower half. I hope I did the pruning correct, I estimate I pruned 1 cup full of cuttings just from the lower half. It looks like a Juniper now all bark and not much green. And I read this beginners guide blog http://homeguides.sfgate.com/propagation-dwarf-japanese-garden-juniper-46202.html to put my insecurities to rest. I do need some more practice wiring so I won't being the same wiring job more than once. Who am I kidding I need practice in all areas and aspects

 

[Paradox]

Thanks those ideas are way better than cutting the wall off a perfectly new plastic bonsai pot and struggling to tip it level while a root graft grows in. I wired the arch today and didn't do a very satisfactory job, because I, well "new to bonsai". I only got half of it level, I'm so dumb if I just used a longer wire the whole thing would be flat now, I'll still need to cinch the branch down., and then did some pruning and wiring on the lower half. I hope I did the pruning correct, I estimate I pruned 1 cup full of cuttings just from the lower half. It looks like a Juniper now all bark and not much green. And I read this beginners guide blog http://homeguides.sfgate.com/propagation-dwarf-japanese-garden-juniper-46202.html to put my insecurities to rest. I do need some more practice wiring so I won't being the same wiring job more than once. Who am I kidding I need practice in all areas and aspects

Only way to learn is to do.

We all need more practice at wiring. I know I sure do. I get started ok then it all falls apart.

 

[Salcomine]

http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/woodworking-and-crafts/make-hypertufa-pots/project

Make a pot

 

[Underdog]

This is what I did out of stuff I had laying around. Nothing fancy as are my trees
The big one sets a milk crate perfectly w/air gap around it. Top cut down to level with a big ol Holley in it.

 

[Gunstock]

WoW, the out in the yard Bonsai gardeners are everywhere @Bnut. No puns or sarcasm meant so I'll get to my point. I live small, in an apt. not in the city but close to one who's name isn't worth mentioning really, so I have to think small all the time.
And I've never done Bonsai before so, before I decide on inventing a pot I'll need more research for my first #1 Project. First off how long will it take for a ground root to take to a hanging pot, maybe (1 or 2 months with luck?) and are there any preparations besides cleaning the bark before attaching the pot that I have not considered yet? "That's really a good question"
I'm considering this scenario: for Step #1 Clean/gently scrape the bottom thru the brown outer layer leaving spotty layers of cambium and white wood?
And prune the top shoots that I don't want, and also wire the ones I do. That way the tree's on the raft I want growing straight up are prepared to do just that.
I hope so far it's good. I have studied this frequently and most of the decisions I think I'll go with always get changed for one thing or another. " There is no room or place for failure"See I'm thinking small already.
Step #2. Whatever pot I use I will need to wire the pot to the branch and cinch it down so it's level.
Step #3. I should wire the raft branch to the pot too
Step #4. If the root takes in the predicted time period the raft branch should look healthy otherwise if it turns brown lifting the soil to look for roots will need to be done, before amputation.
Once the amputation is cleanly done I'm good to go right? Wrong!
"Of course I should just leave the Raft in the pot until next spring." I would kinda imagine a refrigerator would make it an easier transition but I can't prove it.
The remaining tree has a space outside but the box doesn't have enough room for the raft unless I cram it in there so will the raft survive in a refrigerator until spring?

 

[Underdog]

Most of mine are screwed to the box or a board which is screwed to the box or wired.

 

[sorce]

@Gunstock
Did you peep that link I posted?

That stuff spawned from being apartment bound.

Also...

You could totally shape it to your use.

The top here would be your side view...
With the green branch laying in a recess..
And the yellow....wire ties so it don't move at all...
(sorry...see pic below.)

I would skip cutting the wood.
They seem to root in anything wet.
It may take long...but you'll see the roots coming out the side.

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Oops
Sorce

 

[Cypress187]

Podbaskets:

 

[Gunstock]

OopsView attachment 105482
Sorce

And as I'm learning, in bonsai everything is easier said than done
Yeah I saw the DIYourselvers and they're fine for stand alone sitting on a solid wall or something but I haven't tried any yet, so I'm worried about the durability of them. Because I want to place the Raft in the pot one time without repositioning it after it's in one. I considered a tile pot, and shallower pots and the durability question still pops up. So my best bet is to deal with a pot that's 7" X 4 1/2" X 2 1/4" deep, pile the bonsai premix in it after I cut a corner out of it. That will give me 8" of pot to press and wire the Raft in corner to corner. (If it leaks I can patch it) And a wire around the outside of the pot and Raft. I think I can do it better this way without or at least the lesser amount of disturbance on the roots when I snip the branch off.
One question for you sorce can you add to the method of scraping the bark off?
Am I correct in scraping it removing all the brown that contacts the soil and leaving spotty white wood and cambium in contact with the soil? And do Rafts look good with a slight arch or no?

 

[sorce]

If you wire that branch to this stuff....
It won't move.
And you can snip it and just throw it in anything after that. Colander in the ground...lol.

Cutting the bark only really works if the tree is girdled.

I really don't think cutting it will help.

Sorce

 

[Gunstock]

I'll post pics after I get past steps #2 and #3. It'll take me most of the day tomorrow. I was searching for some inspiration pics online today and there are lots of pine needle raft pics but no Junipers, so the closest characteristics to a Juniper is an Australian pine. Sinuous roots anyone? the pics might be mixed up.

 

[Gunstock]

Well it's done for now. If that white stick slides or moves by itself it'll slingshot right out the window. It got a little top heavy so I needed the stick to keep it plumb and level.
I will be so amazed it lives and actually gives me something to do in my spare time. It didn't take as long as I thought it would. The stick isn't really doing anything if I take it out it just leans and tilts in the opposite direction.

 

[eferguson1974]

Just be careful not to do too much. Remeber the one insult per year rule. Repotting counts as one. Wiring too. Hard pruning also. Too much too fast = dead trees..

 

[sorce]

Sphag da surface.

Sorce

 

[Gunstock]

Sphag? I can't see under it if I use the sifted sphag peat moss I have.
I can keep it moist and even put on a pop up plastic loosely wrapped tent if need be.