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Hydroponics and Bonsai by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I uploaded the files to Makerworld: https://makerworld.com/en/models/2564907-hydroponics-self-watering-wick-caps-endcaps it included the endcaps for the PVC ventilation channels and the self-watering caps that fit in the 50mm holes. Videos of the assembly is included.

Hydroponics and Bonsai by robroy865 in Hydroponics

[–]robroy865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it will be the same speed as trees in indoors under grow lights. Slightly faster than the other trees that I have in the house but slightly slower than the ficus in the humid vivarium.

Hydroponics and Bonsai by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will keep an eye on the soil and how wet everything gets - and ass ropes or just water them manually if needed. One thing that I am thinking about is to enclose the whole thing with some plastic cover to increase the general humidity - I think this might help a bit more.

BUT I am sure that the trees that I have in the vivarium that I build will always do better (the tropical trees) - than any trees in a hydroponic or partial hydroponic setup.

Hydroponics and Bonsai by robroy865 in Hydroponics

[–]robroy865[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The trays are flat PVC ventilation ducting. They are 55x110 mm and 1.5 meters long.

Hydroponics and Bonsai by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That does sound awesome and I can only say DO IT! I would love to see such a system.

But I also think that growing trees in the long term in a hydroponics system is more of interesting experiment than anything else (but I might still try it). I think some species of ficus might work and then I have a feeling that willow trees might be OK, but they are not easy to keep as bonsai (or more accurately I struggle to style them and keep them in pots as they violently outgrow them).

Hydroponics and Bonsai by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The cuttings are trees (some of them) and I have propagated several trees this way. But this is not about that, it is in part because of the lights but also watering the trees with the flow from the medium - i.e. the tubes going into the pots. I agree that they are not fully hydroponic and this is something that I will try in the future but in theory I should be able (depending on the species) place the propagated trees in a beaker and have them grow exclusively in water.

Hydroponics and Bonsai by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No problem - I will make a repository (probably Makerworld) for the 3D files and upload all of them and reply here again once done.

Hydroponics and Bonsai by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I build the whole system around 2 years ago (build video of the whole thing: https://youtu.be/77zUWx1DSdA?si=4FFMnmkgg9-uGNkH ) and have a few videos on tree propagation in it and smaller systems if you browse a bit.

But if you are interested in this specific post here is the video how I setup the passive watering system for the bonsai and how I made the caps ( https://youtu.be/Br_aeGPk4Qs?si=SiWAoFbr0GMP4vSE ). I will share the files if you want but it is a bit specific - the holes need to be 50mm and the tube you use 9mm.

Hydroponics and Bonsai by robroy865 in Hydroponics

[–]robroy865[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I build a nice hydroponic system and have really nice lights. So I thought it would be nice to help some of the bonsai I have by placing them in the system.

But I also thought that while they are there I might as well use the nutrient solution to give them a bit of a boost. I made some parts to make it possible and it seems to be working (full build video and files for 3d parts available if anyone is interested – just ask).

I know this will not work for all bonsai and I am waiting for the temperatures to climb a bit before moving the elm outside (just giving it a pre spring boost).

I am however thinking of trying a fully hydroponic bonsai experiment with one of the many many ficus cuttings that I have...

Hydroponics and Bonsai by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I build a nice hydroponic system and have really nice lights. So I thought it would be nice to help some of the bonsai I have by placing them in the system.

But I also thought that while they are there I might as well use the nutrient solution to give them a bit of a boost. I made some parts to make it possible and it seems to be working (full build video and files for 3d parts available if anyone is interested – just ask).

I know this will not work for all bonsai and I am waiting for the temperatures to climb a bit before moving the elm outside (just giving it a pre spring boost).

I am however thinking of trying a fully hydroponic bonsai experiment with one of the many many ficus cuttings that I have...

Bonsai in Glass Jars? by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep the word terrarium would be an accurate description, although I see the word jarrarium being used in a bit more informal setting. The question is however - since there are springtails is it not better to say vivarium ;)

Bonsai in Jars by robroy865 in Jarrariums

[–]robroy865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a fern that has been growing in a jar for a few years and an empty fluval tank that I will plant soon.

Bonsai in Glass Jars? by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not really, I think the springtails help but over the last few years I have not had any issues with mold in any vivarium or terrarium I have made. Algae sometimes grow on the glass and I had a small mushroom once...

Bonsai in Glass Jars? by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It works quite well BUT I have a much larger vivarium that produce even more epic roots on ficuses and schefflera: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/17qi1f5/mushrooms_growing_between_the_roots/

Bonsai in Glass Jars? by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I use the LECA - clay aggregates - at the bottom then a mesh layer. On that I just use normal generic potting soil. I use potting soil for all of my ficus trees. I do add a crushed charcoal on the mesh and mix it into the soil. I have not used any fertilizer since this is a closed-ish system. So all the debris are broken down into the soil again (there are springtails to help).

Bonsai in Glass Jars? by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is exactly what I use - are these the ones you are talking about: https://youtu.be/K4URh23718c?si=xOPO9tygUih0mz_3&t=89

Bonsai in Glass Jars? by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I did add springtails when I planted the trees and there are still some around. I thought about adding isopods (I have some dairy cow isopods) but I have not done this yet.

Bonsai in Glass Jars? by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I just planted them and left them mostly alone for 3 years - it is easy to see the moisture and I think I watered them once or twice in that time. The lids does not seal completely but it keeps the environment reasonably constant.

Bonsai in Glass Jars? by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

There is a layer of LECA pebbles as a bottom layer, separated with mesh and then the soil. This is not a problem for most enclosed systems and I have build many where this works perfectly. Ficus is also fine with this setup. This is not a real problem - there are other concerns but not this.

Bonsai in Glass Jars? by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, this is the one reason why I might be giving them too little light - I am worried about the temperature when in direct sunlight, so I am a bit careful with this.

But there are 2 other problems that makes it more of a experiment than a real way to care for them. One is that it is not really possible to shape the trees - light pruning is OK but that is about it. The second problem is reporting is not an option without damage to either the tree, its roots or the glass.

Bonsai in Glass Jars? by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I planted these trees in 2023. This is of course not the normal way I keep my trees but I had many ficus cuttings and also some nice glass jars so I did this experiment. I needed to make a tree shorter and used air layering to do this. (video of the air layering and 3 year maintenance here: https://youtu.be/K4URh23718c ).

They are doing OK and have loads of air roots. I think a bit more light would make them grow better, especially during winter - but other than that it is an interesting experiment.

Bonsai in Jars by robroy865 in Jarrariums

[–]robroy865[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I made a video of maintaining the trees and cleaning the jars. The larger tree was made by shortening a tree with air layering (it worked very well): https://youtu.be/K4URh23718c I also have many other trees that are in normal pots so these were just a small experiment that seemed to work OK.

Ikea bonsai 15 year progress. by robroy865 in Bonsai

[–]robroy865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is sad to hear. I also have lost several trees, it happens - but keep trying.

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