Using a shelving unit for a bonsai bench?

mcpesq817

Hi everyone - first time poster here

I'm looking for some kind of bonsai bench/stand, since my bonsai are currently sitting on the ground. I live in the DC area, where the sun (and humidity) can be brutal, so something with some shading for the summer would be best I think.

I'm thinking about using a wood shelving unit from Ikea that I can weatherproof and put against my garage so that the trees have southern exposure. I'd post a picture of the shelving unit, but I don't want to violate any copyrights. The easiest way to explain it would be to think of a bookcase, but with open sides and back.

The shelving unit is approximately 70" high, so I was thinking of having two shelves, the first a foot or so off the ground, and each shelf with a vertical distance of approximately 30" or so. Each shelf is approximately 22" deep, so trees that like sun could be placed more forward in the shelf, while trees liking more shade could be placed further back.

The benefit as I see it would be that the shelves (and top of the unit) would provide some shading to the trees inside. Plus, I could always build a shade frame that hangs off the top to protect the trees from the blaring sun.

Is there any concern about there being too much shade if you use a shelving unit versus staggered benches without an overhanging top like I see most use? Any other concerns?

Thanks very much in advance!

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BrianBay9

With a southern exposure you may need to be more concerned about too much sun than too little, depending on your trees. Many people with trees that require partial sun try for an eastern exposure, so their trees get morning sun and afternoon shade. Trees that have been stressed by work or repotting will also appreciate afternoon shade.

As for shelving, I've found that heavy duty plastic shelving units (Rubbermaid or something similar) work great without any treatment. They can be had for around $25, if I remember correctly.

Good luck
Brian

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mcpesq817

Thanks very much Brian!

So I guess given my proposed location, my concerns about a shelving unit providing too much shade might be overblown. The one thing I thought about doing was constructing a wood framed shade cloth screen, which I would hook onto the top front of the unit to cut down on the sun during the summer. I could always construct two screens, with one having less shade blocking capacity for trees that prefer more sun, and one having more shade blocking capacity for trees prefering more shade.

Unfortunately, the front of my house faces east, and I'd rather keep them in the backyard to cut down on the prospect of theft. The way my yard is configured, that spot seemed to be the best spot I could really work with.

rockm

Southern exposure in D.C. is a very very very bad thing. I live in No. Va. I have a southwest exposure in the summer. I have shelved my trees on shelf brackets and 2x2s on the inside of my privacy fence. Beginning at the end of April/early June, I have to provide sun shades above the shelves to prevent sunscortch on all of my trees. I keep Japanese species and native species, from Japanese maples to American Beech.

I started providing shade in the early summer seven or eight years ago after seeing almost all my trees get burned.

The only tree I can leave out in full sun all summer is an old collected (And large) live oak. The tree was collected in Texas.

The more shallow and smaller the container, the more problems you will experience with full sun. It's not only the leaves that have a problem with it, it is hot roots. Plants' systems cannot function properly if roots get above 100 degrees (I've recorded temps above 120 F on some pots in full sun in August).

The shelf system you mention should work--if you don't have many trees or trees that weigh over 5 lbs or so per shelf. Afternoon shade June-mid-September is a must.

mcpesq817

Hi Rockm - sounds like we're neighbors (I'm in Arlington near Falls Church). I just looked at google satellite maps and my fears are correct - my location would face due south with a slight tilt to the east.

120 degrees is pretty scary, but doesn't surprise me. I know how cooked I feel after an afternoon of golf in July

I'm just starting out, but have some maples, pines, elms, junipers, etc. that I've collected and plan to work on in the spring. I figure setting up a bench or a shelving unit would be a good winter project in the meantime. The shelving unit I'm thinking about is part of the Gorm collection at Ikea - one of the units has a 110 lb capacity, so I think I would be ok for a little while at least.

Do you mind me asking what grade shade cloth you are using?

Thanks very much for your thoughts.

susieq

My husband did build an A frame type of structure for me several years ago with two shelves running along each side, staggered like steps, with one shelf running along the top step. We did go for the rubbermaid shelving material for the actual shelf part of it because I wanted something that would not catch and hold water from the drip system as well as something that would not rot....ever. This material has worked out great for my needs.
Good luck finding just the right spot for your sunlight requirements.

rockm

We are neighbors.

I bought plastic nursery shade cloth at Home Depot a while back. It was the 60% grade. There are other grades, some less, some more. I plan on using 40% grade this summer --if I can find it. The 60% is a bit too much for some trees, like Trident maple.

If you want to do bonsai around here, you should join one of the local clubs.

http://www.potomacbonsai.com/

I'm a member of the Rappahannock club. You also have to get down to Gardens Unlimited in Ladysmith in the spring to have a look around.

mcpesq817

Thanks Susieq - I think that's what I'll eventually build (a staggered step-like bench structure). It seems like a lot of this board's members have something similar.

Unfortunately it looks like i'm stuck with the lighting issue, but it sounds like using shade cloth is a good work around.

mcpesq817

Thanks Rockm. I'll try out the 40% cloth first. I can always push the trees further back to get more shade if need be.

Thanks for the suggestions on the bonsai clubs. I've come across the Potomac Bonsai club while playing around online. I noticed they have a club in Arlington, so maybe I'll try that out. I'm pretty much a beginner with all this - even though I've been doing a ton of reading lately, nothing will beat in person hands on experience. In any event, maybe our paths will cross some time.

I'll have to check out that Gardens Unlimited - thanks for the tip! I've never heard of them. I've done a lot of google searches for local bonsai nurseries, without luck (I've been to Merrifield and Wolf Trap Nursery, who have some stock). Otherwise, I've bought a few small trees off of eBay and my parents have bought me some trees from a bonsai nursery up in Long Island, NY.

Thanks again!