Spring! New projects!

[justBonsai]

I recently finished my finals and will have a short break before beginning my next term. With time on my hands I've been doing as much bonsai work as I can. Previously all my trees were just sitting on a cement curb. I made a makeshift "bench" with leftover wood from a growbox and concrete bricks. By summer I intend to build a more permanent fixture with multiple decks. Last year I tried to get an automatic watering system going but it broke. I fixed it up today and used a combination of spot spitters and small disc drippers. I'm hoping it works this time around--I was fortunate enough to have other people help me with watering.

Compared to last season I probably have 3 times as many trees now. Most of them are very healthy and significantly better compared to when I first started. I transplanted 2 trees in the ground this year--a ror trident maple and a washington hawthorn. After they bulk up for a several years I'll dig em out and begin refinement. I probably shouldn't have buried the ror so deep as the previously exposed roots may start rooting themselves but I can check it periodically. Spring has been very enjoyable and I'm content to be able to have so many trees. Anyhow some pictures:

 

[fredman]

Very nice. I see you put stones ontop the pots to. I do it so the black birds don't scratch in it, and to keep the sphagnum moss from drying. Why do you do it?

 

[justBonsai]

Very nice. I see you put stones ontop the pots to. I do it so the black birds don't scratch in it, and to keep the sphagnum moss from drying. Why do you do it?

I use stones so I can use a full strength water hose without worrying about the soil getting ejected everywhere. Watering everything by a 2 gallon bucket is tedious and I don't have a working hose or shower nozzle.

 

[fredman]

Ha Ha yeah it helps with that to. I do that to, but it's actually the wrong way to water. First wet every pot softly and then come back with a second watering to soak the pot.
I have about 200 and it is a patience tester, but it's the right way..

 

[sorce]

I've been contemplating running a fat hose off of a "water cooler" jug. 3-5gl?

Gettin tired of lugging a bucket of little 1gl containers down.

Sorce

 

[fredman]

LOL or run a sprinkler system from the kitchen

 

[justBonsai]

Ha Ha yeah it helps with that to. I do that to, but it's actually the wrong way to water. First wet every pot softly and then come back with a second watering to soak the pot.
I have about 200 and it is a patience tester, but it's the right way..

I'll get a shower nozzle for more gentle watering later, but in the meantime it keeps my trees alive.

I have no issue finessing and doing detailed watering specific to each plant but I live away from my trees most of the year. When I'm gone I have to rely on the water system and my mom so I can't have too complicated watering demands.

 

[CWTurner]

Watering everything by a 2 gallon bucket is tedious and I don't have a working hose or shower nozzle.

What we need is a cordless hose

Sorce - I've been contemplating running a fat hose off of a "water cooler" jug. 3-5gl?
I put an extra long hose on a big garden sprayer to water indoors. You might consider that.
CW

 

[KennedyMarx]

Everything looks nice and green. My maples are just starting to leaf out this week

 

[justBonsai]

I've been contemplating running a fat hose off of a "water cooler" jug. 3-5gl?

Gettin tired of lugging a bucket of little 1gl containers down.

Sorce

You could get a 5 gallon bucket, an aquarium or pond pump and a timer and make a indoor water system.