Teccacotta vs Plastic Containers

[ajm55555]

I always wondered if you guys have any reason to prefer a terracotta or similar container vs a plastic one for the main reason that terracotta allows some kind of transpiration on the whole surface which plastic doesn't. Or this is dwarfed when compared to having good soil and nice holes all around.
Thanks!

 

[Anthony]

Andrew,

terracotta, used to be the preferred container in the older days before stoneware
and later plastic.

Probably, weight, breakage, firing costs etc.
Moved plastic up ---------- convenience.

No winter - no inconvenience - no frost ------ so we
still use earthenware pots for J.B.pines and you can get Chinese
pots that are side glazed, but porous bottomed for use with Serissa s.
and we do have one J.b.pine in such a pot.

If you read the older Bonsai books, the Japanese would take the plants
out of the pots and bury the tree's soil mass in the garden, with a shielding
of leaves. The pots being put away.
Or they had glass framed sheds for protection from frost.

So if you desire to use earthenware or porous clay containers, just read
up on the older practices.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Mellow Mullet]

I always wondered if you guys have any reason to prefer a terracotta or similar container vs a plastic one for the main reason that terracotta allows some kind of transpiration on the whole surface which plastic doesn't. Or this is dwarfed when compared to having good soil and nice holes all around.
Thanks!

I like terracotta, one because it looks nicer (to me), and two, it does not heat up as much when the sun shines on it, a big plus here in the Heart of Dixie, where heat can be a problem. The only drawback is that it is not freeze or frost proof. I usually lose a couple of pots to old man winter each year.

 

[sorce]

Resorce.

A general list of containers and their levels of "remain wet".

Wettest to Dryest.
Plastic.
Vitreous glazed Ceramic.
Vitreous Unglazed Ceramic.
Terra Cotta and Non Vitreous Ceramics.
Colander.

Wood Boxes depending on material and finish fit different places within there.
Color and exposure of all make variables.

When to use what for what trees is your....

"It depends" to figure out....

Sorce

 

[RobertB]

I have definitely noticed that terra-cotta dries out faster than plastic. I also prefer terra-cotta or a would grow box for pre-bonsai unless your a big spender and able to purchase large deep bonsai pots for your pre-bonsai. I have not tried the colanders yet but plan to in the next couple yrs with my black pines. Those would dry out too quickly in the Deep South with my deciduous plants. I also do not like how the look.

My vote is terra cotta.

 

[RobertB]

Another note, most plastic is very flimsy so when moved, it flexes all over the place, stressing the root system on plants repotted that year. If you plant something in a plastic pot, plan to not move it for like 6 months.

 

[ajm55555]

So if you desire to use earthenware or porous clay containers

Thanks for the info Anthony. I just wanted to know if the non-porosity is an issue of any sort. I will use anything that is good for the plants ;-)

 

[ajm55555]

I like terracotta, one because it looks nicer (to me), and two, it does not heat up as much when the sun shines on it

That is a good point, Sir. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[ajm55555]

Resorce.

A general list of containers and their levels of "remain wet".

Wettest to Dryest.
Plastic.
Vitreous glazed Ceramic.
Vitreous Unglazed Ceramic.
Terra Cotta and Non Vitreous Ceramics.
Colander.

Wood Boxes depending on material and finish fit different places within there.
Color and exposure of all make variables.

When to use what for what trees is your....

"It depends" to figure out....

Sorce

Thanks Sorce! I see you have a whole lot of weapons in your arsenal ;-)

 

[sorce]

Thanks Sorce! I see you have a whole lot of weapons in your arsenal ;-)

My it depends'.

Plastic is too Hot and Wet and creates soil with little oxygen. Worse black.
Terra Cotta is ok but not a tool of mine.

I get trees in those, with a mission to move them to a colander or a bonsai pot.

Colanders and Bonsai Pots are my Tools!

Sorce

 

[ajm55555]

Plastic is too Hot and Wet and creates soil with little oxygen

Colanders and Bonsai Pots are my Tools!

Colanders are plastic, right? You're saying that having so many holes eliminates the problems of plastic containers...?

 

[Anthony]

ajm55555,
Get an explanation of the colander's properties when in use.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[GrimLore]

I use black plastic nursery pots, green plastic bulb pots, terracotta pots, bonsai training pots, grow boxes, plastic jiffy trays, clay pots high fired, ceramic high fired, and more -

If drainage and the substrate is suitable for the plant it seems to make no difference here. Terracotta is the least durable but they all steam of during our two week hot spell when watered - the plants don't care as they are otherwise happy and cannot see the container anyways

Grimmy

 

[sorce]

Colanders are plastic, right? You're saying that having so many holes eliminates the problems of plastic containers...?

Yes...but further. .

I have a list of Colander types too....
Damn ...these are all Resorces.

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/colanders-and-collected-trees.32121/post-532288

These are all the little things we need to insert into the @0soyoung presented outline in the "It Depends" thread....to derive our "it depends'".

And just imagine the possible combinations of soils...x100...
In the differnt amount of containers...x800..
Then Colanders alone...
X3200...

That's why I stick to Proper colanders.
And Proper Bonsai pots.

Less questions! Less possible scenarios.

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Get an explanation of the colander's properties when in use.

I hope the following suffices.

have a list of Colander types too....
Damn ...these are all Resorces.

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/colanders-and-collected-trees.32121/post-532288

Sorce

 

[Anthony]

But @sorce , what about plastic over sized bonsai containers
Just teasing,
Anthony

 

[ajm55555]

the plants don't care as they are otherwise happy and cannot see the container anyways

You never allows their roots to touch the container :-D

 

[GGB]

I always use terracotta because I prefer the look of it, and the rigidity. After a couple seasons I've had plastic pots get really weak on me, no good for a tree pushing new roots after a repot.
Nothing more calming than an orange terra pot with green moss/algae on it. best patina

 

[GrimLore]

You never allows their roots to touch the container :-D

Hell, I guess you never noticed I often let roots grow out and into the ground for a season or two depending on the plant and the stage of growth it is at. At some points I have had a few plants with nothing left in the container except roots, lol.

Grimmy

 

[GrimLore]

I always use terracotta because I prefer the look of it, and the rigidity. After a couple seasons I've had plastic pots get really weak on me, no good for a tree pushing new roots after a repot.
Nothing more calming than an orange terra pot with green moss/algae on it. best patina

They do have a charm to them and for the record in our climate the ones they sell at Home Depot stamped "Made In Italy" really hold up the best, heavy but good quality.

Grimmy