Grow Beds Vs Grow boxes

Mattchew

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Matt

"Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do"- Voltaire

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hortriot

timber boxes are good for customising the sizes, they have good insulative properties, but will rot after a while if not painted with a non-toxic tanking/waterproofer. the only problem is that they may be time/money consuming to make.

i am using polystyrene boxes as they are free and lightweight and good for insulation of roots, the dimension of these is about 45cm x 60cm x 20cm.

then you could also dig the right components into the soil and grow them in the ground.

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rockm

It depends largely on what your plans are for each tree. If you're looking to bulk the trunks up, then a grow bed is probably best. If the trunks are "finished" developing, then grow boxes might be more appropriate.

The difference between grow boxes and the ground is primarily the room for root run. The more root run, the faster trunks develop.

I have never used grow boxes for collected material. I collect because trunks are usually complete on them, as that's why I collected them.

In the ground and left to develop, trees have to be "collected" a second time, or lifted every three or four years to cut the roots back.

md4958

rock,

In your opinion what should the dimensions be regarding growing boxes? Ratio wise?

I've always built mine shallow and wide.

-Moe

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Craig Cowing

Rockm basically covered it. Boxes are for developing branches if you are happy with the trunk. Growing in the ground is for bulking up.

I have used boxes extensively for collected material. Sometimes I put collected trees in the ground, such as this spring. I have several red maples that I cut back hard when I collected them several years ago, and I want to develop an upper trunk apex for each tree more quickly. They have been in boxes for several years, but I will keep them in the ground for a couple of years to heal over the trunk chops, and decide from there what to do.

Craig Cowing

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rockm

"In your opinion what should the dimensions be regarding growing boxes? Ratio wise?"

Depends greatly on the root mass and the species, but as a rule of thumb, a grow box shouldn't be more than an inch or two wider or deeper than the rootball. Big grow boxes with alot of extra room can lead to complications as the surrounding soil can stay too wet.

rockm

By the way, I meant to say I never use growing beds for collected material...

BrianBay9

We read what you meant, not what you wrote....

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Mattchew

Thanks for the help guys. I guess I'll get building and get it prepared, going to be moving all the bonsai back to that area anyway. The beds were for growing out trees, I currently do have grow boxes for those that are getting closer to being "finished".
What is a good soil mix for an inground bed?
Thanks again,

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Matt

"Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do"- Voltaire