Orange Bonsai house makeover

[scott]

Hey Everyone, we need your help!!!

As part of bringing our Bonsai collection at the Botanic Gardens up to date we're reviewing the decor! The photos below show how it is now, the shadecloth has seen better days (the vandals have tried but no, it doesn't burn well) and the logs... Well they looked ok at the start but as they're starting to break down they harbour every pest known to man!







So as you can see it needs some work and I'd really love to hear what you all think we should do. I've done a few models in google sketchup to get a feel for the size we have to work with (it's about 9m long by 5.5 wide). My first change is new shadecloth but only to the roof, having the walls done causes lots of issues with waterlogging. This collection is also meant to be on display to the public and opening up the walls would help that too. Second is new benching, while the logs are pretty they're just not practical. I'm thinking treated pine as it's pretty cost effective, should last a while and looks ok too, especially if you oil it to darken it up a bit...







Ok, hit me with your ideas!

[kcpoole]

at the old School of Bonsai display in Auburn, the beches were Fibro /hardi plank covered in Gravel.
teh benches had a lip all the way around to stop the gravel falling off and looked good too

Ken

[Psymo]

Hi scott

"i love your work" with google sketchup, i gotta give it a go.

Have you ever considered for you benches using steel mesh (rebar) similar to the walls in the constructure of your green house?
Very strong, can be cut to any length/width. Great drainage, holds no water, flows right through, no water logged timber. Very clean and tidy, it would have to help with the prevention against disease. Lasts forever.
You could support this with a steel frame or if you wanted to make it more modular use besa blocks to regulate the height.
I've seen this done somewhere before in a greenhouse and always thought it was a good idea.
If i had sketchup and new how to use it i'd do ya a sketch.

[Dave54]

Hi Scott,
mate to ensure the public see something with wow factor, I really do think you need something eye catching which will highlight the trees.
You need to use more modern materials.
"Hebel" make lightweight, aerated concrete blocks in all sizes up to about 1800mm tall, on top of these you can place another piece of "Hebel" to act as a base for the tree.
The material can be painted in red or black to add an Asian theme if required. As it carves easily, a couple of Japanese characters carved into the front, adds to the presentation.
If you don't want to use this product, individual treated logs of varying heights, with a flat hardwood top would show the trees off at varying height to enable each tree to be viewed at eye height. Again paint the posts to give some "wow" to the display.
My garden is set up with an Asian theme and my trees are displayed on red posts with black tops. I also have a section where my large trees sit on hebel panels (1500x600) which sit on 2 hebel blocks.Surrounded by Koi ponds, the trees present better than just being placed on a bench, all the same eye height
In the corner what about a water feature standing in some white gravel !!! The sound of water gives a nice feel
cheers
Dave

[scott]

Thanks Guys, great suggestions! I really do appreciate your input.

You know, my first thought was steel too. Apart from the fact that I know gun welder (hint hint Brett) my background is as a fitter / toolmaker so that was my natural leaning. When I suggested that to the other members of our group I was shouted down really quick! They though too hard and industrial looking?

I also considered hebel but never got very far as I went to the hardware shop starting with B that we can't say anymore and got zero help. The guy showed me the catalogue and I couldn't find any panels that suited so I kind of gave up on that. I would love to see some pics of your setup Dave, maybe I was too hasty in dismissing that idea? The water feature is a fantastic idea too, I have a large pot (glazed on the inside) out by my trees with water lillies growing in it and it looks great.

If you're interested you can grab sketchup for free from Google, just search you'll find it quick. I found it real easy to pick up but I was a draftsman for 3 years so perhaps I had a slight advantage? If anyone wants the model I'm happy to send it.

[Bretts]

A few pictures for thought.

bench1.jpg

bench2.jpg

bench3.jpg

bench4.jpg

[Dave54]

Hi Scott,
did you receive the photos I sent via PM
cheers
Dave

[scott]

Hey Dave, yes I did thank you, you've given me lots of new ideas! I thought perhaps I could combine the old and new by using steel posts, concreted in and painted like yours but attaching sawn sections of tree trunk on the top. By staggering the heights and using different diameters and thicknesses of timber it might create quite a unique display? It would work just as well with hebel blocks or square timber screwed to the top but I thought this might be something a bit different and preserve some of the old design?

I sketeched it up real quick but just followed the original location of the bench with isn't ideal but you get the idea...

[Dave54]

Hi Scott,
glad to have been of some help
cheers
Dave

[Psymo]

cool progress, have you considered painting the frame work in the green house a more neutral colour too?

[Elias]

Here's a fairly inexpensive way to hide an ugly fence/wall I used merbau to hide the joins. With the house wall you could always attach screening to the walls using clear cable ties and hide joins with large bamboo culmns, I suppose these could also be tied with black twine.

[Mojo Moyogi]

MESH!!!!

70x35mm Treated pine frame, painted if you like, clad with 25x25mm gal. steel mesh.

Screw the frame together, fix the mesh to the framing with 35mm gal. staples.

Support with your choice of concrete blocks, timber posts, Penthouse Magazines or old coffee mugs

Advantages: inexpensive, long lasting, easy to build, air movement around pots, pests are vulnerable to small birds and predatory insects because there are no dark slimy places to hide, plenty of anchor points to tie down your trees in windy conditions.



MM

[Bretts]

I like that Idea maybe with some trim to cover where the wire mesh finishes. That trident whould make a nice addition to the collection as well.

[Mojo Moyogi]

Bretts, alas, not a Trident, it's a Chinese Elm .

A bit of timber beading would hide the mesh edges if the look bothered you, or if you were worried about getting cut by the sharp bits.

MM

[Bretts]

So it is. A great result for a species that I think does not work as great for root over rock as some think.
I would love to see a progression in a new thread on this if you have time.