pond baskets

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I find pond baskets a better value for the dollar, some colanders will last only one season. As to depth, I have cut down many of them and found them just as strong.
 
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I started using colanders last year and found them fantastic, the difference in the root growth and formation was/is amazing. I found that colanders are more readily available (at $2- Au each) much cheeper than pond baskets (20- plus) even if they only last a couple of years, it's still worth it in my mind. keeping them moist in our dry climate is a challenge, but not impossible.

It's possible that there is that much of a difference in price, but perhaps we are talking about two different kinds of pond baskets?

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paddles

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Lots of differences between Australia and america, things like pond baskets are just not common here. It's not like you can just walk into a department store here and buy them, you have to go to a specialist nursery.
 

Rick Moquin

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Wow! Any nursery that sells aquatic plants have them readily and are cheaper than colanders in most instances.
 
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I don't know if you have "big box" retailers there, but I can usually pick up a dozen or so on a trip to Home Depot in the water garden center.
 

rlist

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Having said that if you take in the price of shipping to Australia, he is probably better off growing them in collanders.

Don't they have internet/catalog retailers in Australia???
 

Graydon

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I find pond baskets a better value for the dollar, some colanders will last only one season. As to depth, I have cut down many of them and found them just as strong.

So this explains how you could afford such a nice pine - saving a few bucks on pond baskets. Way to go Chris!

Seriously, I'm not sweating a few bucks extra for a colander. I understand you can cut the pond baskets down to size but doing so greatly reduces the structural integrity. Does not matter until you need to move a few dozen cut down baskets and then you disturb all those fine little feeder roots. Also can't have the black in the sun here in Florida. I don't have an infrared thermometer but when touching one in the middle of the day burns my hand I can imagine what it is doing to the roots.

I have been using the light green Inomata colanders for years. Have yet to have one break down in the Florida sun. I get them in case quantity so I get a price break. Just found out they (Inomata) make other shapes as well. Will be contacting the importer to see what they can offer me in bulk.

I forgot to mention I do the tree in a colander inside a larger colander trick. Can't really do so with the pond baskets as the sizing does not allow for enough soil between the walls.
 

BONSAI_OUTLAW

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Even the largest of pond baskets are useless to me because of the size of the trees I prefer. Ms. Victrinia Ensor over at BT built one of the best looking training boxes that I have ever seen awhile back. I am including a link so that those who have not seen it may take a look and maybe get a few ideas from it.

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/f17/wood-training-pot-23113.html
 
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I have seen 3x3 foot pond baskets before, anything bigger than that needs the pond, not the basket.



Will
 
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Sorry, seen them at Tropical Treasues, a pond supply comapny...in fact they had all sizes for the smallest plants in the smallest ponds right up to super sized baskets as mentioned which I can only imagaine what they would be used to hold....



Will
 
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I was pretty sure that no link would be provided...thanks anyway...

I'm sorry, did I say I have seen them on-line? I gave you the business where I did see them in person, what more do you want? Me to pick them up, drive them to your house, and plant your trees in them for you?

Some larger than normal pond baskets can be found on-line and I am sure if one tracked down the manufacturer, the super large could be found also.

14 x 14 inches http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/3614/cid/1068

16 x 16 inches http://www.canadianpondsonline.com/prod304.html



Will
 

BONSAI_OUTLAW

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I'm sorry, did I say I have seen them on-line? I gave you the business where I did see them in person, what more do you want? Me to pick them up, drive them to your house, and plant your trees in them for you?

Will

Well yeah damnit and bring me a beer too...

I have seen the 14x14 and those are still way to small.

Chris...I actually thought about the laundry baskets, but they are not rigid enough.
 
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Okay, how big are your trees anyhow? I would hate to see a forest from you, what do you have, live small deer running through them? ;)

If I ever see the super large foir sale on-line, I'll think of you....but then again, maybe small pond liners are exactly what you need.


Will
 

agraham

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Be careful going too big with pond baskets Jase.I bought a few of the 14 X 14 and they were the same thickness as the smaller ones.Because of their size and the weight of soil...they seem rather flimsy and deteriorate quicker than the smaller sizes....just my experience.

If I were you,I'd make my own large ones using 2 bys and some sort of screening.Not as quick and easy but probably stronger and cheaper.

andy
 
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