AusBonsai

I was wondering where you guys get your colanders, and how much do you normally pay for one? Do you sit it on the ground, or bury them?

I've been told that these kinds of shopping bags http://www.qispackaging.com.au/Product/ ... -bags.aspx are good for 'air-pruning' roots too....

thoughts?

I've never seen those bags used so I can't comment on them
I'm a recent convert to colanders and I don't sit them on the ground. The one's I'm using are either buried or sit on shelves. So far I'm a fan but as with anything bonsai the proof is over time.

Worth having a search round the forums, as I've seen the subject come up a few times, as there are a few different sources for them

The best place is usually the $2 store though, as they will usually have quite a few, and at that price you can't really go wrong

Hello,
I have decided to give them a go too.
I remember years ago St.Vincent De Paul, Salvation Army and other 2nd hand shops had them galore. They were good solid metal ones too.
I went to several 'op' shops last week in my area - none whatsoever.
Probably too many bonsai'ers in my area.
Ended up at a $2 shop - 4 x $1.20, 4 x $1.50 and 4 x $2.50. About $20 total for 12 strainers.
I did give them a good workover in the shop before purchase - a few styles did fracture - very loudly too. oops.
Good luck,
Kevin

Hi melbrackstone,
I've been using colanders for at least 25 years. It is one of the best things I ever did to develop trees to becoming bonsai. I've put a few links below to show some of the things I do with colanders.

Air Layering a Wisteria

Ground Planting in Colanders

Digging some of my trees

These are just a few threads relating to colanders.

Regards Ray

Thank you Ray for those links, very informative all round.
Need to get some colanders now.

I get mine from the local fruit and veg shop that has a deli-they are cheese colanders. Price is free and there is a smaller size and larger size.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I get my colanders from a local $2 shop, they range in price from $2 to $3.50. The best that I have come across are Vi Hung, made in Vietnam. The oldest ones I have in use have lasted since 2009, in full sun and have only just started to go brittle this year. I have used some others that were cactus in 18 months.

Cheers,
Mojo

P.S. to save you Googling, http://vihungplastic.com/
I use the 1624 (24cm), 1628 (28cm), 1632 (32cm) and 1636 (36cm) not sure if these are on the website.

I'm using rectangular A4 paper trays in shallow pond to grow swampies and paperbarks in. They would be a little dearer than colanders and have larger holes but work well with 14mm scoria and decomposed granite mix. Available from office and stationary supply stores. I also use plastic sieves with extra holes drilled in sides. Sieves are usually made from sturdy plastic and handle UV light well. These are ideal for plants to large for colanders.

Hey thanks for all the responses, everyone. I'll definitely check out the local $2 store. I saw some US sites talking about the shopping bags, but sounds like colanders are the go.

I made up some gutter guard pots, to keep me going til I find some colanders.

There definitely seems to be a lot going for the air pruning of roots!

Cheers for the links too, Ray!

Oh, Vi Hung looks the goods, thanks Mojo!

Woolies sell cheese in green collanders and I've just asked them to keep heir empties for me.
Cost me nothing, won't last for ever but is work for now!


Cheers
Elmar

fossil finder wrote:I'm using rectangular A4 paper trays in shallow pond to grow swampies and paperbarks in. They would be a little dearer than colanders and have larger holes but work well with 14mm scoria and decomposed granite mix. Available from office and stationary supply stores. I also use plastic sieves with extra holes drilled in sides. Sieves are usually made from sturdy plastic and handle UV light well. These are ideal for plants to large for colanders.

Hi fossil finder,
You will find rectangular baskets in the $2 shops as well. They have quite a range of sizes with holes in the bottom as well as the sides. Have a look at the post March 27th, 2013, 2:24 pm in Ground Planting in Colanders

Regards Ray

Aldi at the moment have good quality rectangular peg baskets for $2. I imagine they will be sun resistant. 19cm wide, x 15cm x15cm:

Good find Redsonic, should be UV stable since it is intended for outdoor use.

A useful indicator for better durability is collanders/baskets that are made from opaque plastic, rather than translucent or transparent materials.

Cheers,
Mojo

Hi Redsonic, good find, you would think a peg basket should be UV stable.

I have found a useful indicator for better durability is collanders/baskets that are made from opaque plastic, rather than translucent or transparent materials.

Cheers,
Mojo