I've decided after discovering my Cedar needs a full fun aspect and that pines in general like the sun I have decided to knock up a bench/shelf in the sunniest spot of the garden. Although my garden is south facing it don't get a great deal of sun because of the large downy birch behind us and the garden being not much bigger than a postage stamp.
I got hold of some lengths of distressed timber from some one I know who had them lying around and didn't want them so thought they would be ideal for a bonsai bench because of there old sun bleached look much like they have in the gardens of Japan.
I build a frame up from 2" x 2" timber then using 5 x 100mm coach bolts fixed it to the wall. I then screwed the timber lengths to the frame. It held up to begin with but I wanted to put my Scott's pine on the shelf which is probably the heaviest I have I was worried the weight might be to much. So using some eye bolts, wire rope I had in the shed from an old multi gym ( I knew that would come in handy some day) and a couple of turnbuckles for £2.50 each from Sally Surplus Store I added two supports to the shelf. Now it can hold my 16 stone load so I'm sure the trees will be good.
I also too a few photos of the garden today as I'd managed to get the lawn mowed and it looked like a summers day out there. Can you believe it hit 27 degrees today on the 2nd of October. Its unreal!! Do doubt we will pay for it.
Oh and I know, I've just popped out to straighten the roof on the Japanese Lantern. No doubt the garden fairies, also know as my three year old daughter who is rapidly developing a habit of following daddy around the garden pintching the buds and tips from trees. With not quite as much delicacy as daddy. But not a million miles away if I'm honest.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this short article and I hope some new comers to bonsai will be inspired to erect something similer. I think its a great solution for those with limited space for displaying there trees.
Please feel free to leave any comments.
Dean
Pretty soon bonsai will take over the whole garden LOL Next step, get rid of the lawn, there's room for at least 2 good benches on there :-)
ReplyDeleteI would love to take the lawn up and use the area as a growing bed but the wife is not having any of it!
ReplyDelete