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25-Jan-2006
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#1 |
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Bonsai nare-do-well
 
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Overlooking the obvious
I am always amused at how people overlook the obvious.
I have several friends that go out of their way to make a great bonsai soil. They are picky about the ingredients and sift everything to get all the fines out. The soil looks great, drains great and defiantly should work. But it doesn't . They have a hard time believing me when I tell them the obvious. It has a lot to do with what they use for screens at the bottom of their pots. I have seen just about everything. Fly screen is the one that pops up the most. The soil would probably drain better if the small holes in that fly screen didn't plug up so quickly. Doesn't take much to plug them either. By simply swapping that fly screen to something with larger holes that well draining soil can do its job. Almost a no brainier ;o) I use a plastic screen sold in almost any craft store. Most stores call it plastic canvas. Those that do needle work will know exactly what I an talking about. The picture below is what it looks like. It shows the holes full size. The stuff is cheap. About a dollar for a 10x 14 sheet. Enough to do several pots. A simple enough solution |
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Overlooking the obvious |
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25-Jan-2006
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#2 |
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bonsaiTALK Expert
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I've used plastic canvas ever since I started in bonsai 20+ yrs ago. It was the only thing I could find that even vaguely resembled the 'bonsai screen' picture in one of my first books and have never had a reason to try anything else. I did think about trying to make the drainage holes in my pots about the same size as the mesh on the screen(back when I had the time to throw them and access to a kiln) but gave up on my first attempt, much too fiddly to get enough holes to provide adequate drainage. Didn't even bother firing it, just recycled the clay and threw a nice tea pot if I remember.
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Advice worth every penny you paid for it. Regards Fletch |
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25-Jan-2006
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#3 |
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Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Feb-2005
Location: Carlsbad, California..coastal desert
Country: United States
USDA Zone: 11
Posts: 5,344
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The plastic screen like Ron shows is what I like, too. It's stiff so it's easy to wire into the pot, it doesn't clog as easily, it can go for several years without breaking down and can often be cleaned and reused.
Guys would be more likely to use it, I think, if it came from Home Depot or Lowe's instead of a craft store....  Joanie |
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25-Jan-2006
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#4 |
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bonsaiTALK ArchMaster
 
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I like craft stores.
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http://gongshi.freeforums.org/index.php |
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25-Jan-2006
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#5 | |
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Old Bonsaiman-new pots
 
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Quote:
Isn't that strange how folks will INSIST on their soil being sifted numerous times, 1, 2, or 3 times, then they use window screen that clogs up immedialy and tears or folds over when you run wire through it   I've said this before, but my screen for many years has been galvanized "Hardware Cloth" ( NOT a cloth) in 1/8" or 1/4" holes. Comes in 2 and 3 foot wide rolls any length you want cut from any good hardware store. Lasts a LONG time and doesn't tear or fold over when wiring trees in. Regards, Dale
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________________________________ If you want to be Different.... You have to DO something Different! __________________________________________ Some people NEVER take the time to do a job right the first time.... but, they always seem to make the time to do it over again... ____________________________________________ Dale Cochoy Wild Things Bonsai Studio Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery Hartville, Ohio |
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25-Jan-2006
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#6 | |
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Bonsai nare-do-well
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Quote:
A goodly deal of the plastics out there will break down in about 1000 years ;o) |
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25-Jan-2006
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#7 |
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bonsaiTALK Master
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Ron,
Couldn't agree more. I lost the best Japanese Black pine due to window screen over the drain holes. Noticed that the pine was off color and that water would not drain down through the soil. Checked and found the window screeen clogged with fine soil particles. Too late for the pine! Jerry
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Jerry Meislik Whitefish Montana USA Zone 4-5 http://www.bonsaihunk.us/ |
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25-Jan-2006
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#8 |
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bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman
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If you want to save some additional pennies, get the clear color one, not as pretty as the green or yellow but cheaper...
 Jorge
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"Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more." Mark Twain |
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25-Jan-2006
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#9 |
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bonsaiTALK Adept
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Dale- I assume you don't have any issues with the galvanized wire, but is that healthy for the tree? I am not sure why it wouldn't be, but I have always heard the way to kill a tree is drive a galvanized nail into it...
Out here in the dark ages looking for a little light... Rich
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NW Oregon, Zone 8a www.oregonbonsai.com Both gold and muck come out of the same shaft... |
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26-Jan-2006
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#10 | |
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Bonsai nare-do-well
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Quote:
Rich I have heard many versions of this. Copper, Stainless steel and galvanized nails and screws have all at one time or another been said to kill trees. I lived in my last house for 18 years. There is a tree in the back yard that has all three in it. I put several screws of each in that tree about 15 years ago. It is still alive. Never even got a head ache. It is true that roots do not like free standing copper. Most plant roots will not grow near the copper. The is why one can buy nursery cans with a copper lining. They stop the roots from growing to the edge of the pot and helps in keeping the roots from circling the pot. Could it be an old wives tale. Maybe. Can guarantee one thing though that tree in my back yard didn't believe it ;o) |
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