wood pot for maple tree

[SouthernMaple]

In the Peter Adams book about Maples he mentions that wooden boxes work really well with maples, so I found some 10x11x5 wooden half crates at Micheals for $5.99(and they are 20% off)a pop. Would it be cheaper if I bought all the wood and hardware to make said boxes(I don't own a saw, i do have a hammer though), do you think any of the big box stores like lowes or HD would have anything better for less?

 

[Shibui]

Wood will supply some insulation value to help the roots grow but otherwise it is not really about the material, rather about the size and drainage properties of the container.
Pine rots really quick when it is wet and exposed to all the bugs in potting mix. These boxes are unlikely to last longer than a year under bonsai growing conditions. there may be some wood preservative treatment that might extend the life a bit but that will add to the time and cost of the box.
Some timber is naturally more durable than others.
IMHO good plastic pots outperform wood boxes in durability and growth of all plants, including maples.

 

[sorce]

I been going to get damaged lumber from the 70% off bin at the depot.

Sorce

 

[RKatzin]

I agree those crates won't last a season, let alone the extent of time the tree will be in it.
Cedar fence boards make a good box that will last many seasons. Get the utility grade and sort out the pecky ones. Try to get good solid wood. Avoid using pieces with knots as these tend to fall out after a couple of seasons. Happy building!

 

[sorce]

with knots as these tend to fall out

Sometimes you can flip em so the knot won't fall out.

I saw an old fence for free the other day.

I'd be looking for old fence, old fence ain't good for new fence, it ain't good for much but bonsai pots.

Sorce

 

[Tulsabonsigh]

Sometimes you can flip em so the knot won't fall out.

I saw an old fence for free the other day.

I'd be looking for old fence, old fence ain't good for new fence, it ain't good for much but bonsai pots.

Sorce

people buy that shit and line thier walls with it down here! Can’t make this stuff up!

 

[AZbonsai]

I use these roof vents. I get them at HD. they are predrilled and screened. They come in two different lengths and board thickness. Best grow out boxes I have used. I paint the outside with Johnsons water seal.

 

[RKatzin]

Bird blocks! Great idea. Are they fir?

 

[sorce]

people buy that shit and line thier walls with it down here! Can’t make this stuff up!

They sold all the shit I'm the barn and found a way to sell the barn too!

"Barn find", tired of it.

American Pickers is Fake!

Barn Wood!

Eventually the little white kids are going to get sick from the barn owl scat still in the wood, hahahahah!

Sorce

 

[SouthernMaple]

I agree those crates won't last a season, let alone the extent of time the tree will be in it.
Cedar fence boards make a good box that will last many seasons. Get the utility grade and sort out the pecky ones. Try to get good solid wood. Avoid using pieces with knots as these tend to fall out after a couple of seasons. Happy building!
[/

It cost 8 bucks for the wood and 3 for the nails, now I need to get screen, any ideas?

 

[Tulsabonsigh]

Go to a supply donation store. One where contractors drop off used building supplies. Build window screens. They are 1$ a piece here in Tulsa

 

[Paradox]

honestly for the time and expense of the lumber, for something that size you could just use anderson flats IMO.
Especially if they arent going to last that long.
No building or painting. Just put screen on the bottom and youre good to go.

Unless you really just enjoy making them and have the time. With all the other things that take time in this hobby,
Id rather spend time on wiring or needle plucking than on building pots.

 

[Arlithrien]

View attachment 285108
View attachment 285109

It cost 8 bucks for the wood and 3 for the nails, now I need to get screen, any ideas?

Someone recommended drywall mesh as a screen/filter and now it's all I use. It's adhesive on one side so it's easy to apply. Here's the kind I use:

Red Devil 1226 Onetime Fiber Mesh Crack Patch 6" x 75' Wall Repair Fabric - - Amazon.com

Red Devil 1226 Onetime Fiber Mesh Crack Patch 6" x 75' Wall Repair Fabric - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I said I'll do small bonsai, so I dont know why I've been repotting new trees in the large black mortar trays from the hardware stores. Anyways they save me time from building wooden boxes.

 

[SouthernMaple]

I said I'll do small bonsai, so I dont know why I've been repotting new trees in the large black mortar trays from the hardware stores. Anyways they save me time from building wooden boxes.

i think it was fun and the cedar wood is supposed to keep the insects away

 

[Woocash]

I second the dry wall tape. Perfect for patching. I use it over a mesh grill, but you can just stick strips over the gaps.

 

[RKatzin]

What I've been using for screening comes from the crafts store. It's a white mesh made for needle point or something like that and it comes in full page sheets in a couple of sizes. I use the 1/8" size. A couple of bucks for five sheets makes lots of screens which last forever in the bottom of the pot, but not sun proof and begins to break down and gets brittle after about 3yrs when used in side piece applications where the sun can get to it. Much cheaper than 'bonasi' screen.

 

[SouthernMaple]

 

[Pitoon]

You can screw on some 2x2's pieces on the sides and use them as handles to lift the box.

 

[SouthernMaple]

You can screw on some 2x2's pieces on the sides and use them as handles to lift the box.

no need it weighs maybe 5 lbs, besides i have giant man hands, i can palm a basketball