How to Make Bonsai Pots for Next to Nothing

[@doyouknowpeter1954]

im nerly 50 years old and just starting out on the bonsai path. until recent years ive lead a life perhaps not conducive to longrvity so i cant imagine ill ever get to see my trees shine..... however. i was inspired by my son to get into bonsai. so whatever i have there at that latest stage of life i gladly know that my son will carry on with my trees. thankyou for sharing your legacy and knowledge. it is heart warming.

[@kevinorr6880]

I really appreciate your time and education. I am brand new to my own bonsai after a lifetime of interest. I cannot justify the amount of money some people spend, but I love other people's talent and craft. Thank you, even after all of this time.

[@donnanelson9181]

I’m going to get my pots this way. Bonsai pots are SOOOO expensive. I just bought my most expensive pot so far and I’m not happy having to spend that kind of money. I’m going to buy a drill and bit and create my own. Thanks for the video.

[@Sinnerman_DP-3-O]

So sorry for your loss Ben. Your father would absolutely love that you and your brother are making great use of what he left for you. Great video so much information to learn. Thank you.

[@SniktBamfKapow]

I've seen a ton of videos on drilling, but no one ever mentions or shows adding feet. Greatly appreciate this video / you being thorough.

[@user-li5wk2yq4b]

I just went to a few thrift stores and grabbed 3 pots and now have 3, ready to plant pots, with this method. So thanks a lot for the tip! Edit: Cost me $4 dollars!

[@n8tyler]

Great teaching points for of us new to Bonsai and trying to manage our dollars against trees, soils, tools, fertilizers and most expensive pots...I started with Mame's and have found suitable receptacles/pots for reasonable prices from thrift stores, antique shops, flea markets and garage sales. On occasion you can pick what is a real Bonsai pot or stumble onto nice looking pots that you can use...Thanks for sharing...

[@cruithin4773]

Glad to see you’ve carried on something you’ve learned from your dad. It’s a great way to keep his memory alive. And great idea on the pots for those of us on a budget and those just getting into bonsai.

[@josephwalker138]

IMO, having a pot inspires one to plant. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

[@Thorny_Misanthrope]

Everything I do with my bonsai efforts is as cheap as possible. I got my tools and wires as a gift (least expensive from Amazon). My pots are all plastic for now. The trees and shrubs are all free (grown from seeds and cuttings) with the exception of the common juniper that came in a one-gallon pot from Home Depot, which cost $6.99 and was my first try. The only thing I’ll spend money on is akadama and volcanic rocks. I get volcanic pumice cheap from a local feed store. Thanks for the video. I’ll be checking out the pantry this weekend.

[@Cryptochinodotsol]

That was so cool when I got my boxes in from China it was a Christmas and I'm a boomer 9:58

[@Cattledogfever]

Great idea Ben, thanks for the tip. I'll be looking at those old bowl and pie trays in the reuse shops in a very different wsy from now on 👍

[@ShuKatashSam]

Easy hack: placing tape over the hole and going easy will prevent the hole edges from flaking and chipping off. We do not look at the holes much, so not a big issue, but if you make bonsai pots and sell them, then it matters some. Always add water , say with a simple spray bottle a little each 10-20 sec, to lubricate and cool the drill bit. Ceramic drill bits work better for smaller holes for the wires, 1/2" or smaller. Ceramic bits work good on rocks as well, so adding root over rock and tying down the rock, joining multiple rocks together with rods, bolts etc, can be done. Such a good idea to suggest Goodwill shopping! Nice pot raid there !!

[@strugglebusbonsai]

Thanks for sharing! I’m just getting started with bonsai and I’ve been getting various bowls and tray from thrift stores and turning them into bonsai pots. Someday maybe I’ll get “real” bonsai pots.

[@Crush0819]

Thank you Ben I just got into bonsai and I was thinking about Doing the same

[@popscratchie3985]

For the feet on a thrift store pot I would advise white Milliput epoxy putty. It can be shaped and would not require glue in order to stick it to ceramic. It’s very cheap too

[@kinksbikes]

enjoyed seeing your father and his passion that you inherited

[@kennethstensrud669]

You're very clever, putting four feet in the corner of a round pot 😂. Seriously, it is a very good idea, and this might get more into the joy of growing bonsai. This kind of pots can be used for some accenr plants until there is a tree available for that exact pot.

[@fullcircle4723]

Thanks for the tips. Bonsai pots are crazy in price.

[@emmitstewart1921]

If you have a drill press, it really helps with drilling ceramic pots. I use floral adhesive (Cling) to fasten my pot to a sheet of Masonite, then clamp the Masonite to the drill press table. This way the pot stays firmly in place and the drill bit does not skate around so much. Be sure to make sure that you are drilling wet. It cuts the dust, which is lethal to your lungs, and it cools the heat from the droll point, which can crack your pot and shorten the useful life of your bit.

[@raymondplodzien7459]

Loved this video!

[@mattiecreates]

Thank you very much for making this video, took alot of stress off me wondering how i can get pots for my bonsais ( as it isnt cheap ) on my way to a thrift store now!

[@DarleneHerman-k2n]

Thank you very much! Great ideas! I’ll go have a look at some pots- Darlene usa

[@danutashayler34]

that was very interesting! Thank you so much B.B. Seattle. Danuta from B.C.

[@ReillyR99]

You can also make your own feet for these types of collected pots using the clay you can bake in the oven and glueing them on. It's a cheap great way to start working with clay and making the feet a little bit more 'ornate'

[@Cryptochinodotsol]

Let me ask if I live in South Florida where it almost never freeze that second firing is not needed right

[@Snowfallbonsai]

What was in the spray bottle you use to polish your pots? Ive been looking for something to use.

[@westempleman1160]

Hey man I just started making my own high quality ceramics myself up here in Everett Washington

[@benbseattle]

Sweet I'd love to see them

[@TheTBolt]

and here I thought I was the only cheapskate getting pots at the thrift store. I use tile bits to do holes.

[@mandrei99]

How is your Giant Sequoia doing? Did it surve??

[@Ollieslife101]

This video made me like and subscribe ty for the info

[@yoopermann7942]

just subscribed, thank you for the tips

[@DavideSchachterJazz]

The only alternative are cement pots. Only a certain kind of cement and just a small learning curve definitely accessible to everyone in terms of how cheap the materials are and fairly easy to make. If made right they look as good as the real deal, durable, heat and cold resistant and without any lime leaching to the substrate.

[@SpaceLifeSelfSufficiency]

such a cool vid,👍😀😀👍 thank you! like 8 from us

[@nur-un-nabishamim7658]

Cool, i will try it!!!

[@Joelwilly57]

Great video thank you for this .

[@ishersweet]

Link to those rubber pot feet?

[@haroldcopeland4382]

What was the spray you used to clean the pot?anything special?I'm a new subscriber!!love what your doing

[@adamtoth7474]

dont clean bonsai pots. if you need to get off something just use water and your hand. then use camellia oil or walnut oil

[@haroldcopeland4382]

@@adamtoth7474 thank you

[@tjkbdb]

Thank you so much for this video!!

[@jeremykirchner4987]

Thanks Ben !

[@mikeemmons1079]

I got into bonsai, cuz I live in a 3rd floor walk up.

[@mopbclinic420]

hi ben may i know what kind of drill bit you use in making holes? love your video :)

[@zoutewand]

Don't wear gloves when drilling by the way, there's a big chance the drill will catch onto something and then your hand is pulled into the drill. Really dangerous and leaves gnarly wounds. When working with bigger rotary machines it's especially dangerous as they can literally break your arm bones

[@pentac1e]

amazing video :)

[@enscribe]

For the wire holes you can use masonry bits and spray with water the same way. Thanks for sharing.

[@benbseattle]

Good call I need to pick up one of those bits

[@JAMES-dv5ns]

Id love to make my own pots

[@notbonsai671]

Love thrift stores! sometimes find decent pots too.

[@Joelwilly57]

Thank you.

[@nicolebacon3230]

so making your own cement pots is a no no?

[@benbseattle]

Sure why not it's just very heavy

[@Traubeere]

Thanks Ben. Very educational. Greetings from Austria.

[@benbseattle]

Thank you for watching my friend I appreciate you tuning in

[@paulcastro3812]

Love your ideas but just wanted to ask about your pronunciation of, “bonsai”? It is, “bone-sai”.

[@benbseattle]

Yes its bone sigh. So I've been told. :) it still slips out wrong

[@paulcastro3812]

Ben B. Seattle I totally understand thank you your awesome!!!

[@Sherman_616]

american pronunciation

[@Wreckz_Tea]

I'm sorry but I cant understand why any pot would cost $4,000. Call me crazy but could a super expensive pot not be perfectly replicated for less than $100 with the same materials and some time? A pot that costs over $1000 better be made of gold or silver at least

[@latetodagame1892]

Four is bad luck!

[@PeterGonzalezAyres1932]

You talk for too long. Less talk and more showing how! Please!

[@69kesh]

DEAR BEN I KNOW YOU MADE THIS VIDEO IN 2020, IF YOU ARE READING THIS CAN YOU PLEASE NOT USE THE WORD CHEAP THERE IS NO CHEAP , ITS CALLESD INEXPENSIVE

[@benbseattle]

Ok...