Bonsai South is growing. I already knew it, but it really came home to me when I ran out of bench space last week. I like for all of my trees in pots to be off the ground, even the pre-bonsai that will end up going out as raw material. With last week’s bald cypress collecting trip being such a great success, I found myself having to use mixing tubs to pot four of them. Talk about take up some room!
The spot wasn’t hard to pick. I’ve been working my way toward the front of my main display area for the past few years. You can see the beginning of the process; get the first block in the right spot and level, and it goes a lot easier from there.
About an hour later, the bench is built. I use a very simple design. Cement block and (in this case) treated 2×6’s eight feet long. It’s sturdy and the boards will last at least three to five years.
The bald cypresses were close by, so no need to lug them far. One new bench down, one to go (for now – I’m sure I’ll have to continue expanding as time goes on). I’ve still got a few weeks of collecting season left to go, so there’s no doubt all of my benches will be chock-a-block going into spring. Then, with a little luck, they’ll start emptying out.
Hi Zach…..question:
Is the overhead line a misting system or a watering system? Does it work well for you?
John, it’s a misting system and it does work well, with a couple of qualifiers. First of all, since I don’t yet have any shade cloth installed come summer I’m throwing a huge amount of water even with the misting heads. This tends to promote growth of mold, which I end up fighting at some point in the summer. I plan to introduce some shade this year in hopes of being able to back off on my water usage.
Any chance of getting see some of your more developed trees in future posts? Maybe a lesson on fine tuning or maintenance pruning?
Absolutely, Tim. I have to repot my big hornbeam this spring, so that will be a lesson of sorts in fine tuning as I have to improve the tapering of the trunk and do some carving. I also have a very nice riverflat hawthorn that is just about fully trained, so it’s moving into the refinement/maintenance phase as well.
I use cinder blocks myself, but after a year or so they sink into the ground or start to lean over. Do you do anything special to keep them upright?
My base is very solid, as it was leveled off about four years ago. You may want to consider trying soil cement as your base. If you Google “soil cement” you’ll learn a lot. It really works well where I’ve used it.
Gravel under the cinder block
Use gravel Daniel Son
That’s how I do it. Your base needs to be firm, however. Otherwise everything sinks under the weight of the blocks and trees.
Well organized, Zach. Looks like the “expand one’s collection” bug has struck yet again. The alternative: “Just say no”. ???
I especially like the watering system from above. Quite jealous of the opportunities afforded you down south. It’s -8 in Vermont right now without the windchill. Not a budding branch in sight.
Thanks, Richard. We’ve reached that part of the year where everything seems to grind to a halt. Waiting anxiously for signs of buds. I do have a few bald cypresses showing buds. In the wild some red maples are blooming now. In about two weeks I think it kicks off for 2016. Personally, I can’t wait.