In a message dated 3/29/2003 11:09:50 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

I am about to repot some bonsai, but have not been able
to find any of the mesh which is apparently required for
the base of the container ( to prevent loss of soil on watering)/
Is there any readily-available substitute which could be used
eg pebbles etc?

Jim



Jim,
Are there no 'Do It Yourself' outlets like the Home Depot in your area? If
there are, search for a roll of drywall (sticky plastic mesh) tape - cheap
and effective.

Luis Fontanills
Miami, Florida USA

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search for a roll of drywall (sticky plastic mesh) tape

A better choice is the plastic needlepoint mesh found in crafts stores. Be sure
to get the 8-to-the-inch size. 10-to-the-inch is a little too fine, except for
tropical shohin. It recycles indefinitely.

Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Buridan"
I am about to repot some bonsai, but have not been able
to find any of the mesh which is apparently required for
the base of the container ( to prevent loss of soil on watering)/
Is there any readily-available substitute which could be used
eg pebbles etc?

Sure.

1. The famous Hardware cloth, also sold as screening, get it in the 1/8"
mesh. Probably easier to get in the quantity you want at a small hardware
store. The galvanized steel is said to inhibit root growth through the mesh.

2. Craft shops sell a plastic mesh for use in needlework. A sheet of this
should cost less than a dollar. (This is the one I use.)

3. There is a fiberglass mesh tape used in repairing drywall. A roll will
last you for years.

Bart

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Bart Thomas"
Subject: [IBC] Repotting- Newbie question
1. The famous Hardware cloth, also sold as screening, get it in the 1/8"
mesh. Probably easier to get in the quantity you want at a small hardware
store.

This is "most excellent" and all I use on my bonsai in either 1/8" or 1/4"
mesh. Comes in rolls either 2ft or 3ft wide, as long as you want. Lasts a
long time in pot.

The galvanized steel is said to inhibit root growth through the mesh.

Not sure about that Bart. Sounds like a point for 30 reply-discussion, but
in 24 years I've had NO problems with it in any way.


2. Craft shops sell a plastic mesh for use in needlework. A sheet of this
should cost less than a dollar. (This is the one I use.)

Yep, cheap, but tears and moves and puckers in or out. And the holes are
actually pretty small. This is a COMMON product to see in mass-potted
imported trees however. Pretty quick to use.


3. There is a fiberglass mesh tape used in repairing drywall. A roll will
last you for years.

Ditto on the above , but WORSE. However. This is an EXCELLENT product to
take on collecting trips where you'll be digging and popping stuff into
nursery containers in the field. You can quickly cut off pieces and stick
them over nursery can holes.

Regards,
Dale Cochoy, Wild Things Bonsai Studio, Hartville, Ohio
http://www.WildThingsBonsai.Com
Specializing in power wood carving tools.
Yakimono no Kokoro bonsai pottery of hand-built stoneware

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"dalecochoy" wrote:
From: "Bart Thomas"
Subject: [IBC] Repotting- Newbie question
1. The famous Hardware cloth, also sold as screening, get it in the 1/8"
mesh. Probably easier to get in the quantity you want at a small
hardware
store.

This is "most excellent" and all I use on my bonsai in either 1/8" or 1/4"
mesh. Comes in rolls either 2ft or 3ft wide, as long as you want. Lasts a
long time in pot.

The galvanized steel is said to inhibit root growth through the mesh.

Not sure about that Bart. Sounds like a point for 30 reply-discussion, but
in 24 years I've had NO problems with it in any way.

2. Craft shops sell a plastic mesh for use in needlework. A sheet of
this
should cost less than a dollar. (This is the one I use.)

Yep, cheap, but tears and moves and puckers in or out. And the holes are
actually pretty small. This is a COMMON product to see in mass-potted
imported trees however. Pretty quick to use.

3. There is a fiberglass mesh tape used in repairing drywall. A roll
will
last you for years.

Ditto on the above , but WORSE. However. This is an EXCELLENT product to
take on collecting trips where you'll be digging and popping stuff into
nursery containers in the field. You can quickly cut off pieces and stick
them over nursery can holes.

Thanks to you and to Bart Thomas for your replies on this. I managed
to get some plastic mesh, and have repotted my trees. I discovered
that the containers had *no* mesh of any kind covering the
drainage holes when I repotted, and some were very rootbound
indeed ( I only bought them last year ). I have couple more
questions related to the repotting: First, I have quite a lot of bonsai
compost
( Levingtons) left over- will this keep for another year or so , or does it
need to be
thrown out? Second, I cut off quite a lot of the root when I repotted,
can this damage the tree? Third, it was not possible to get all of
the old compost away from the roots- does this matter? Finally,
is there anything which I should/should not be doing, to
get the trees to 'settle' after repotting?

Thanks

Jim

I have couple more
questions related to the repotting: First, I have quite a lot
of bonsai
compost
( Levingtons) left over- will this keep for another year or so
, or does it
need to be
thrown out?

Keep it dry and it should be OK.

Second, I cut off quite a lot of the root when I repotted,
can this damage the tree?

Yes. How much is "quite a lot?" Big roots? Normally, we try
not to take off more than 1/3 (1/2 in some species) of the root
mass. What trees?

If you cut more than this, you will need to reduce the top a
"matching" amount. Keep the tree out of the direct sun for a
couple of months. Dappled sun is fine.

Third, it was not possible to get all of
the old compost away from the roots- does this matter?

Depends. If it is a hard, solid mass around the base of the
tree, the old soil may prevent water from getting in to any roots
in this area. That can cause problems in the long run. Once,
however, isn't likely to be dangerous. Just be sure to get rid
of it next time. A HARD jet of water will almost always do the
trick.

Finally,
is there anything which I should/should not be doing, to
get the trees to 'settle' after repotting?

Keep 'em out of the sun. Do not overwater, but don't let
anything dry out, either. Tightrope.

Next time, ask first, repot later. ;-) You need to have done a
lot of reading beforehand, I suspect. The books would have given
you these answers.

And . . . it would be a LOT easier to answer you if you would
deign to provide a non-messed-up e-mail address.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is
frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry
David Thoreau - Walden

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Jim:
The mesh is not critical. The only requirements a that it not
corrode too fast, and that it not block too much of the drain hole.
Generally it is about 1/8-inch mesh.

Several things that are satisfactory -- "plastic" window screen,
plastic structure used for "counted cross stitch", "hardware cloth"
metal screening (not aluminum).

Small pebbles will work fine, but generally use up too much space,
particularly in shallow pots.

Hope this helps,

- Tom in West Virginia, Zone 6,
where tiny oaks from mighty acorns grow
-- -- -- -- --

Buridan wrote:

I am about to repot some bonsai, but have not been able
to find any of the mesh which is apparently required for
the base of the container ( to prevent loss of soil on watering)/
Is there any readily-available substitute which could be used
eg pebbles etc?

Jim

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++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++