Apartment Bonsai

sorce · Aug 15, 2015

The purpose of this thread is to brainstorm the title.

Let's not let lack of space determine our ability to PUT STUFF OUTSIDE!

My windowsills are 5inches wide.
So I made my pots as such.

My sills.

L-R
Semi cascade Buckthorn. Ground cover that leapt to the next pot. Next pot. Ulmus "layer at a friend's house"

A volunteer maple. A Grim Project of J.Crack. Amur maple. My J.Crack twist.

A hurting Forsythia. My Ulmus Favoritus Braid sail. Cascade "ancient" elm. Second to last faller Ulmus.

Ficus Root over Rockish type material (@Brian Van Fleet I got buds to get my secondaries tighter, 511 to help, thanks for the encouragement)
And the herbs that hardly get used.
Cali wouldn't let me keep them!

This is just the Jump off. When other random stuff flows between my ears, I will update.

Please feel free to ask questions and contribute. I am tired of seeing Junipers inside when outside is just beyond a window anywhere!

Sorce

my nellie · Aug 15, 2015

How do you keep them fastened and prevent them from falling down on anything passing by? I suppose you are at 1st floor?
Do I see correctly that the mesh pots are "planted" in some kind of cement base?

Ironbeaver · Aug 15, 2015

I wonder if you could use a tray or frame the size of the sill, anchored inside the window frame. You could then clip/wire/anchor the pots to the frame to help stop them from falling.

M. Frary · Aug 15, 2015

Parachutes.

sorce · Aug 16, 2015

Thanks for stopping by! I'll buzz you up!

my nellie said:
How do you keep them fastened and prevent them from falling down on anything passing by? I suppose you are at 1st floor?
Do I see correctly that the mesh pots are "planted" in some kind of cement base?

3rd floor. I did make the pot bottom cement, that kept all but one from falling, twice!
http://www.bonsainut.com/index.php?threads/those-pot-materials.18202/

Ironbeaver said:
wonder if you could use a tray or frame the size of the sill, anchored inside the window frame. You could then clip/wire/anchor the pots to the frame to help stop them from falling.

I was going to use a tension rod across the sill to tie to. Haven't had any fall till now.

I was going to bend up some sheet copper to make a tray that'll direct water out and off the wall. Haven't gotten around to it, and I like bugging the neighbors!

Thanks again!

Sorce

Ironbeaver · Aug 17, 2015

When I had a windy 17th floor balcony to put trees on, I had to use plywood to provide shelter. The wind kicked everything's butt, deciduous stuff especially. The junipers did well until winter... I don't have a balcony at all now and I'm sure Mr. Landlord would be against plants on ledges due to liability issues, even if they weren't 2 inches wide and sloped. I wonder if you could install a "faux" air conditioner grow box to extend the width...

Or go with this:
http://a.dilcdn.com/bl/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2012/07/350-520x413.jpg

amcoffeegirl · Aug 17, 2015

I live in an apt on the 2nd floor in iowa.
My mom lives a few blocks away in a house. I think the secret to growing in an apt is to find species that like your growing conditions. I have to find what I can keep alive and go with that.
I keep a few outside things at my moms and the rest are indoors all year. It's not ideal but I still get to participate. I am lucky though I really like the lighting I have- south west double wide window.

JoeR · Aug 17, 2015

amcoffeegirl said:
I live in an apt on the 2nd floor in iowa.
My mom lives a few blocks away in a house. I think the secret to growing in an apt is to find species that like your growing conditions. I have to find what I can keep alive and go with that.
I keep a few outside things at my moms and the rest are indoors all year. It's not ideal but I still get to participate. I am lucky though I really like the lighting I have- south west double wide window.

I dont have any issues growing tropicals inside until summer when the angle of the sun is much higher, becoming an issue for my taller tropicals.

In winter my tropicals grow like crazy inside because they get sun all day long and its generally the warmest part of my house.

I put them outside this summer which I think is helping.

sorce · Dec 20, 2015

This is what happens when you get a dog......when you're not supposed to.

You gotta start hiding shit!

Everyhimg chopped below the parapet wall!
The spruce too!

Merry Xmas!

Sorce

jriddell88 · Dec 20, 2015

You better get that thing outside,could use a little more movement! Maybe use a branchor bender contraption!?hell just chop it.. Merry Christmas!

BobbyLane · Dec 20, 2015

Nice to see others making use of small space...i myself, live on the first floor of a three storey mini block, luckily there is an allotment beside the block and the old chap that runs it was kind enough to give me a small plot of land on it for free about a year ago....
here's some images of my balcony garden a year n half to two years ago, i was Elm mad in my first steps in bonsai, a lot of these have either been moved on, in the ground or in the garbage. ill have to take some updated pics of my balcony later in the week...my choice of material has changed significantly and even now i find myself acquiring new stock and moving others into the allotment...

and my allotment space....

sorce · Dec 20, 2015

Nice Bobby!

Thanks for contributing!

It Can be done!

Sorce

BobbyLane · Dec 20, 2015

Source! I admire your enthusiasm in such a limited area, keep up the fight buddy!

Anthony · Dec 20, 2015

You know Sorce,

3" tall Bonsai go a long way, and down here we have quite a few.
Full sun and still only watering in the morning to reach the evening.
There is also an old design for wooden ships that uses a prism to draw light into cabins, hmm would that help?

See Zeko Nakamura and Count Matsudaira
http://www.phoenixbonsai.com/days/Kokufu/1971Mame.jpg

The name of the game is - Quality and not quantity or how big.

But didn't you say you were moving ?
Good Day
Anthony

sorce · Dec 20, 2015

Anthony said:
moving

Yup, gotta be gone by March 1st!

I've contemplated coming to your side!

Sorce

BunjaeKorea · Dec 20, 2015

Actually in Korea most bonsai are kept indoors, yes even pines and junipers. Every apartment has an enclosed "patio/plant room". Some of my plants really liked it. Pines and Junipers were fine. Its not ideal but yes it is doable, remember they are small, duh, use your imagination folks. THis is the first year I have an outside patio, but come spring man am I going to pimp my patio......if that makes sense.....they should make bonsai tv show, Pimp my patio or Pimp my windowsill. ( I think the main issue is lighting and humidity, modern houses are a lot better with taller windows but some still wont cut it. Those of you with brains though will find a solution.

PS: Love the pond baskets

Djtommy · Dec 20, 2015

BunjaeKorea said:
...they should make bonsai tv show,

BunjaeKorea · Dec 20, 2015

Djtommy said:

Hehehe this is hilarious....lol ....maybe we should make a Western version lol

Cadillactaste · Dec 21, 2015

I do commend ones like you Sorce with limited space to not let those restrictions dictate to them that they can or can't do.

BunjaeKorea · Dec 21, 2015

Lol Korean version...............Goryeo Bonsai research Centre

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