Poor man's air pots

[ForThemWhatCare]

So I've read that Air Pots are good for bonsai but honestly they are both ugly and expensive.

Target is selling these plastic baskets (medium $4, large $6) and since 1) both these trees are really early in development, 2) it's the wrong time of the year to reduce root mass, and 3) the nursey pots they were in kept getting blown over by the wind I decided it was a cheep investment to try these out.

So the question is did I waste my money because the holes are too small to do anything or will I get any positive circulation with these inexpensive pots? I have three other trees in even cheaper colliders and they seem quite vigorous in growth.

(side note: yes my wiring is terrible and I have work to do but last weekend I noticed that all my experimental trees were showing wiring damage from my first attempts in March and now I'm probably too loose)

 

[penumbra]

They look great and should work well. But the UV light will probably degrade them an a couple years.

I hope they are woven on the bottom as well, or that you have drilled several holes.

 

[Paradox]

I've used similar and penumbra is correct. They will last you a few years before they get brittle and start to break apart

 

[HorseloverFat]

HAHA!!! I was going to chime in with the same, “Looks good, I’ve used similar..” and throw in a “...Uva/b will get to them after a couple years..”..

But dang!

Everyone else had the same idea, it seems.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I remember the whole, “Wiring a tree for a picture As a beginner Anxiety”

Don’t sweat it! You get better/learn new things each tree/branch you wire.

 

[Paradox]

HAHA!!! I was going to chime in with the same, “Looks good, I’ve used similar..” and throw in a “...Uva/b will get to them after a couple years..”..

But dang!

Everyone else had the same idea, it seems.

Finding good initial training containers is hard if you want to start a tree with something a bit bigger than a bonsai shaped training pot. Although these will not last long term, they are cheap and easily obtained so why not? Just put them in the recycling when they start to break down.

 

[cishepard]

I found some nice, shallow baskets at the dollar store, with the weaving on the bottom as well. Doubling them up stiffens them a bit more and will probably increase the lifespan. These are going on 3 years now:

 

[Paradox]

I found some nice, shallow baskets at the dollar store, with the weaving on the bottom as well. Doubling them up stiffens them a bit more and will probably increase the lifespan. These are going on 3 years now:

View attachment 385060

Nice tree. What species?

 

[ForThemWhatCare]

I found some nice, shallow baskets at the dollar store, with the weaving on the bottom as well. Doubling them up stiffens them a bit more and will probably increase the lifespan. These are going on 3 years now:

I love finding gems at the dollar store that I don't mind throwing away once the UV gets to them. I'll have to check again. Didn't think about doubling as an option!

 

[ForThemWhatCare]

I remember the whole, “Wiring a tree for a picture As a beginner Anxiety”

Don’t sweat it! You get better/learn new things each tree/branch you wire.

I enjoy the process of wiring the tree (how zen it makes me feel) but also know it's a learning process for finding the right level of pressure and placement. It's a marathon not a sprint right?

 

[ForThemWhatCare]

They look great and should work well. But the UV light will probably degrade them an a couple years.

I hope they are woven on the bottom as well, or that you have drilled several holes.

I did NOT drill holes. Darn, good catch. Will fix immediately. Any idea on the size of holes?

 

[SeanS]

I did NOT drill holes. Darn, good catch. Will fix immediately. Any idea on the size of holes?

Big enough to let water drain, small enough to not let your soil fall out. I’d do loads of 3-4mm holes

 

[cishepard]

Nice tree. What species?

Mugo pine, have no idea on the cultivar. It was a leggy shrub when I bought it, and got it down to this, but then the whole right side died over last winter. Left side is doing fine though!

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

I think pond baskets are even cheaper and they also have holes in the bottom of the basket.

They are available in different sizes and as round and square baskets.

 

[BrianBay9]

These look a bit better than pond baskets, but you do need bottom holes. Also, I can get pond baskets for about $1 each.

 

[cornfed]

I've been using these Rootbuilder pots.

I got one gallon pots for $5.55 then cut them in half to make two of them.

 

[ForThemWhatCare]

I think pond baskets are even cheaper and they also have holes in the bottom of the basket.

They are available in different sizes and as round and square baskets.

$3 at lowes but not a "pretty". Still, no drilling required

Dimensions: 10-in x 10-in x 6-in

 

[BrianBay9]

$3 at lowes but not a "pretty". Still, no drilling required

Dimensions: 10-in x 10-in x 6-in
View attachment 385072

Check hydroponics stores. Mine has these for about $1.

 

[BobbyLane]

i tried one once, had a privet in there that kept drying out far too quickly. so ive never used a single air pot ever since.

 

[just.wing.it]

I'm quite sure that the cheapest item in this realm is dollar store colanders.