Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
Nothing as large as the Mugo he has just obtained. He needs to use what is called pet screen. It is fiberglass and a plastic coating. Last for ever.
Grow Box Construction - Material Question
- Thread starter josh
- Start date
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
I don't know what is used for window screen where you live; here, window screen is made of aluminium and does not rust. I use a fiber glass with plastic coating called Pet screen.
Bunjeh
Chumono
I have actually seen colanders in the local Korean Market up to about 60cm in diameter. Used for washing cabbage.
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
If you can get colanders that large go for them/it. Be advised that they are not designed for the purpose we are using them for and are likely to break down and turn to crumbles in a year or two. Avoid the temptation to use one colander inside another, this is a technique that I do not support.
sikadelic
Chumono
Last year I bought pond baskets from Lowes for a 2 of my smaller bald cypress. One of them became extremely brittle and cracked within a few months. I guess this is mostly due to the extreme SC sun they were sitting in for several months. I wouldn't say they were terrible though and if I remember corectly, they were only 3-4 bucks each. Not bad.
I also used pallet wood that I cut down for boxes. They look terrible this year and wouldnt last more than 2-3 seasons at the most (these were old pallets...no clue how well new ones hold up). My best boxes were built from cypress wood and sealed with poly. They still look brand new and I estimate they will last for quite a while. I think the boards were 2x10 and were around 5 bucks each. I made several boxes and only invested about 10-15 bucks. If you plan to use a sealer/stain/poly just make sure you give them plenty of time to dry before using them.
I also used pallet wood that I cut down for boxes. They look terrible this year and wouldnt last more than 2-3 seasons at the most (these were old pallets...no clue how well new ones hold up). My best boxes were built from cypress wood and sealed with poly. They still look brand new and I estimate they will last for quite a while. I think the boards were 2x10 and were around 5 bucks each. I made several boxes and only invested about 10-15 bucks. If you plan to use a sealer/stain/poly just make sure you give them plenty of time to dry before using them.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
10 trees x $3.00 colander = $30
$30 x 10 years = $300.00
I got this Polyethylene screen, 28s.f. for $60.
Polyethylene is UV resistant.
Softening point 203 degrees F.
Low temperature brittleness -99 degrees F.
It won't break down........ever.
Sorce
$30 x 10 years = $300.00
I got this Polyethylene screen, 28s.f. for $60.
Polyethylene is UV resistant.
Softening point 203 degrees F.
Low temperature brittleness -99 degrees F.
It won't break down........ever.
Sorce
sikadelic
Chumono
Not bad sorce. I like that idea...it can also be useful for drainage mesh I would imagine.
What are your plans for the bottoms? Is it really flexible or somewhat rigid?
What are your plans for the bottoms? Is it really flexible or somewhat rigid?
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Though I don't play this,(thwack) , you can see it here.
http://bonsainut.com/index.php?threads/those-pot-materials.18202/
I used concrete, to keep them from falling off the windowsill!
They have cheaper stuff for drainage mesh.
This is rigid enough to make the bottom out of. Maybe 2 ply though depending on the size.
You could definitely nail it to a wood frame!
Sorce
http://bonsainut.com/index.php?threads/those-pot-materials.18202/
I used concrete, to keep them from falling off the windowsill!
They have cheaper stuff for drainage mesh.
This is rigid enough to make the bottom out of. Maybe 2 ply though depending on the size.
You could definitely nail it to a wood frame!
Sorce
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
But, by doing that you lose the air pruning from the bottom.
barrosinc
Masterpiece
You should try an "O" shape at the bottom with a mesh inside the cement.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I didn't figure I'd get much air down there anyhow.
Plus, I don't need feeders on them to be cut off anyway .
I'm leaving nothing down this season too!
If it EVER stops snowing!
Sorce
Plus, I don't need feeders on them to be cut off anyway .
I'm leaving nothing down this season too!
If it EVER stops snowing!
Sorce
parhamr
Omono
I'm testing out various dimensions and material in grow boxes with "select tight knot" grade Western redcedar and galvanized screws. It looks beautiful and should hold for the life of the screws. Estimated at 6–10 years, depending on use. The natural colors, variations, and features are visible below.
Here are 3.2 gallon versions:
Visible top center: 4.3 gallon version; visible lower right: 7.3 gallon versions with metal handles.
Douglasfir pending repotting into a 4 gallon grow box:
Stacks!
I do not yet have photos of the 8.6 gallon version. It includes sturdy metal handles.
I'm contemplating selling some of these wooden grow boxes for about $40-75 each.
Here are 3.2 gallon versions:
Visible top center: 4.3 gallon version; visible lower right: 7.3 gallon versions with metal handles.
Douglasfir pending repotting into a 4 gallon grow box:
Stacks!
I do not yet have photos of the 8.6 gallon version. It includes sturdy metal handles.
I'm contemplating selling some of these wooden grow boxes for about $40-75 each.
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I like your bench. It looks like you could use a dozen more. Get to work!
RobertB
Chumono
great info here.
