AusBonsai

I have been trawling the internet looking at trident progressions, and I came across a couple of methods I was not aware of. I was wondering if anyone has used Anderson flats (or similar) like the "TFLAT" found here http://www.stuewe.com/products/anderson.php for growing large trees. The root growth rate seems phenomenal. one person achieved this with 3gal RootMaker pot for 2years plus 1year in Anderson flat

I found this here http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread. ... nt-Project

I came across these on http://www.bonsainut.com when I stumbled across colander growing and "air pruning" which I believe Vance Wood introduce to the U.S.
Has anyone had any success with either the air pruning (By allowing roots to escape the colander allowing formation of a fine root system which dies from sun exposure and therefore ramifies and maintains a denser root-mass close to the trunk) or the "escape method"

The escape method is when you put a container, not a bonsai pot but a nursery container, grow box, "anderson flat" etc, on the ground and let the roots escape from the container into the ground. When you get the trunks size and growth that you want you just cut the escaped roots that are in the ground and what you have left is a good root-ball in a container. This works great for a few reasons, 1) you get most of the benefits of ground growing while maintaining a good root-ball when it comes time to dig it up and 2) you get an accelerated growth rate while still in a pot. This is the fastest way to grow without putting the whole thing in the ground.

A lot of times trees are grown in a colander or strainer NOT to produce a small root system but to get the maximum amount of oxygen to the roots. This in turn allows the tree to thicken much faster then in a normal container. The Japanese have mastered this technique, something that us Americans haven't figured out yet. We tend to only use them to work with roots, which is only a small part of what can be done with them when you use multiple colanders.

My concern using the colander method in Australia would be the need of almost constant watering during summer. I imagine with the extra air circulation, and the already course substrate most of us use, watering could become a full-time job on further investigation, looks like someone found a kind of solution http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread. ... a-colander

please forgive me if this sharing of another bonsai forum is frowned upon, I am just trying to gain and share knowledge and help improve bonsai in Australia.

Luke308 wrote:
My concern using the colander method in Australia would be the need of almost constant watering during summer. I imagine with the extra air circulation, and the already course substrate most of us use, watering could become a full-time job

Hi Luke, I am definitely an advocate for growing bonsai in collanders and have witnessed the benefits of better root growth, accelerated trunk development and noticeable improvement in general plant health. I live in a high rainfall area in the mountains which is pretty much the opposite to your climate in Adelaide, collanders have the bonus of providing excellent drainage during winter when we can have greater than 500mm of rainfall in 3 months. If you were to use collanders, and I suggest you at least try it for a couple of seasons, it would be sensible to use a free draining but water retentive substrate such as diatomite. And feed agressively.

I am moving house next month and one of the first projects I am going to get up and running is a flood and drain hydroponics sytem for prebonsai using hydro trays and collanders as containers.

Another important consideration if using collanders as containers is that you source some that are able to withstand UV exposure and last for a few years at least, before they begin to deteriorate.

Cheers,
Mojo

viewtopic.php?f=131&t=9411&p=101364&hil ... ng#p101364

I grew this JBP in the ground contained in a poly box. I have done this many times and it works a treat.

Another important consideration if using colanders as containers is that you source some that are able to withstand UV exposure and last for a few years at least, before they begin to deteriorate.

Cheers,
Mojo

I just got back from Big W after buying some colanders. I bought the standard plastic one (white one in pic) for about $2 + change, but then I saw this smokey grey Pyrex one which seems a lot more durable and has 3 nice rubber feet on it only problem was it was about $14. anyway I thought I would buy one of each and try a comparison between them with some Japanese Maples I have. I will keep you posted as it unfolds.

bodhidharma wrote:viewtopic.php?f=131&t=9411&p=101364&hil ... ng#p101364

I grew this JBP in the ground contained in a poly box. I have done this many times and it works a treat.

Thanks bodhi, pity about losing your leader though. Im sorry to hear that, but it least it didn't break lower down the trunk

Hi Luke, go to $2 shop and look for collanders made in Vietnam by a company called Vi Hung, I have found these to be pretty UV stable and still in good condition after 4 years. They should be from $1-$2.50 each depending on size. They are robust enough to attach multiple tie-down wires to, which is always handy. I'll post some pics when I have a chance.

Cheers,
Mojo