Growing Box Idea

Mittar

Another grow box question.

Is it ok to have multiple and seperate trees in the same grow box? If so, how far should they be spaced? Also, do you leave them there over winter and just protect the entire box?

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FredL

Steve, I think you have a great idea. I'd do it if I had your material available.

Mittar, of course you can grow multiple trees in the same grow box. You will learn alot if you do and observe the results. They are, after all, your trees and your grow boxes! If you crowd them, you'll develop trees suitable for a group planting. If you give them space and replant them to their own larger containers later, they'll be fine as individual trees.

One of the big hurdles for beginners is being too tentative. If something makes sense to you, try it! Sure, books, clubs and bonsai forums can be very helpful, but you also need EXPERIENCE. There are no learning experiences in the world of bonsai as the things you try yourself and seeing how they turn out.

Good luck! Fred

Mittar

Thanks Fred,

My girlfriend is constantly yelling at me that I'm to careful. Luckily she's developing quite the interest in Bonsai as well

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Carl_Bergstrom

Your caution is probably a reasonable attitude, given your other interests.

-OMC

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Mittar

Good point OMC, lol.

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Treebeard

Grumpa, I have used pallets too. worked fine for me. I will be building some more soon. I will make this next lot with a solid base and then holesaw or spadedrill a lot of big (1.5") holes all over the bottom, about a dozen over a 12"x12" box. Then lay some screen inside, over the whole base. I have found that standard untreated pallet timber lasts no more than 2 winters.

Regards,

TB

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grumpa

T B , why build with a solid bottom and cut holes,if you can just space out the slats?
That didn't work for you before?
Also just got another great idea today at H.D... they sell a big plastic trough in the mason dept., I guess for mixing cement. It measures in my eye 18 x36 x 8-10 ". It's only $ 4.99.. I'm thinking of just buying them , drill a few holes and there you have it.
No pickinmg up, cutting, nailing .
Oops, you're in U.K., anyone else around here seen or used them.?
Best steve

Craig Cowing

I've used the plastic mason's pans from Home Depot, and they work fine for a really big tree. I used wooden boxes last year though, and will continue to do so. I was convinced after reading the article in Bonsai Today #50 about wooden growing boxes. The author finds that the wood helps hold nutrients and moisture. Plus you can control the depth of the box easier. One of the things you want is a box shallow enough so that the base of the tree will be forced to spread.

I've got trees in other things though. I've used kitty litter pans, oil pans, those saucers that go under large pots, dishpans, whatever, depending on the tree. Sometimes it's desperation, running out of containers.
Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a

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Craig Cowing

I forgot to add--with my boxes, since all my wood was free from the transfer station, I used 1/2 inch plywood for the bottoms. I then drilled a bunch of 1 inch holes in the plywood, and tacked plastic screen over them. Works great. I'll post a picture if I can dig one out of the snow.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a

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