Recent content by prestontolbert

I would go slower than 540/hr past 1150. You are past quartz, but you have to consider shrinkage, especially with wide flat stuff. Up to 16” pots I’ll go 250°F/hr. 20” to 32” I go 175°F/hr. Over 32” I go 50-75°F/hr. Forced air burners aren’t used because of lack of draw. It’s just a different...

Are you using forced air or venturi burners?

Don't do the wire rack over a fire thing. Any significant heat differential can crack ceramic pots. You can probably put it in the oven safely if you put it in a cold oven and heat it up very slowly. Any amount of water that may have seeped into the cross section of the pot will make it crack or...

Beautiful idea with the internal flue. I would have just cut a hole in the side. How did it fire?

I have made a lot of grow boxes over the years, and the only ones that are still around (not rotten) are made with scrap plastic composite decking. It’s heavy, but lasts forever. I’m a potter, and I finally got around to making ceramic training pots for myself this year.

It’s been a very long time since I posted here, but I just wanted to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your foray into woodfiring bonsai pots.

I love the rim on that pot!

Jean Luc- The reason I had root issues is because I allowed the trees three years growth in the ground with no rootwork. That is fine if the roots are neatly arranged, but like you, I was in a hurry to just get them in the ground. I got fast growth, but many of those trees may never be good...

Jason- If you cut trees younger than this, does that mean you cut seedlings? Also I have found that when you cut them this young you get too many buds. It just takes too much work selecting buds later. Being just over in Hickory, you should swing by my little pine plantation in Troutman...

I also got pines this year from Ouwinga that look exactly like yours right now. I agree, you have a good game plan. Don't cut any candles on trees this young. Keep in mind that in the next few years you will want to decandle the branches you want to keep. If you let the nice low branching get...

Hello All- I am pleased to announce the upcoming 3rd National Juried Bonsai Pot Exhibition in 2015. This is going to be an awesome show with 60 bonsai pots from the very best bonsai potters in the country. There is an online application available on the NBF website here...

I remember that Lindsay Farr had some info on them in one of his shows.

A prominent bonsai nurseryman told me he uses Titebond II. Titebond I is too permeable and III is too waterproof. Edit:That is on trident maples.

Japanese quince?

Bingo! Parsonii it is.