A few of tips I've found useful: - Use a pinch of polypropylene fibres to frost proof the cement mix - I sometimes add perlite to the mix in bigger pots to make them lightweight - You can use polystyrene carved to shape to fill the hole in the middle of the pot for a better finish. Wrap it in sellotape if you want to reuse - use a vegetable oil spray or WD40 on the moulds as a release agent to get them out easily - It's important to leave cement pots out in the weather for 6 months before use so the rain washes out harmful alkaloids which can harm root systems.
Great tips there rhys! I bought some fibres which i tried in a previous experiment and I found that they seemed to compromise the strength of the pots although I am guessing that i added way too much. DO you literally just add a pinch?
@@TonysBonsai it depends how much mix you're making, but a little pinch of the fibres goes a very long way. Add the fibres right at the start of your mix too so they get a good chance to disperse. Great video by the way 👍
Great tips! Thanks for those. I was planning on making a bunch of these over the winter and letting them cure in my basement, but now I'm thinking that when the weather warms up a bit(I'm in Michigan with cold winters), I can put them outside to get the junk leached out if the pots so I can actually use them come springtime
I'm writing from a place where the monthly basic salary is less than 300 dollars. A retired citizen is paid much less than that; 188 dollars, exactly. Hence, what you are doing in this video is much appreciated by those who accidentally grow bonsai around here.
Hi Tony. Interesting to see your cement pots. I have made quite a few Hypertufa pots for Alpines etc. the mix is Portland cement, Peat Moss and Perlite (or Vermiculite) in equal parts. The pots are a lot lighter than using a cement mix as there is no sand. They hold up well to frost and look a lot less like concrete, they are a much more natural look. I have many planted up with alpines and a couple planted with ‘bonsai’ Once the pots are dry after 24/48 hrs I soak them for a few days in a vinegar and water mix to leach the lime. The best moulds I found were extra large washing up bowls, but there are lots of shapes you can use. Lining the mould with polythene helps with removal of the pot when its dry. Making the drainage hole while the mix is still wet is so much easier than when its dry. You did Great job. You will find facebook pages for Hypertufa makers. Ps. Better to sift the peat moss to remove big bits of wood etc.
Hi Margaret. I am definitely going to have to experiment with these hypertufa pots. It sounds crazy to me adding compost, but at the end of the day, if they work that's what matters!
I like this and am casting about for things to use. The grey ones look like a rock has been weathered by wind and rain and the brown ones almost look like they are made from a log.
I've discovered my niche. I make homemade pots that are so fragile and thin that they break before you even put a plant in them. A sort of a zen-ish thing!
Great video Tony! I watched to the very end as couldn’t wait to see the finished product. Years ago I made concrete pots for succulents using Portland cement. As a new-be to bonsai I now have another hobby to brush up on. Thank you!
Hi Tony. You done a great job. Tip on getting pots out of your containers. Sponge a little cooking oil around, when the pots have dried, they should come out abit easier. The pots look pretty good. Bonsais should look good.
@@TonysBonsai It's my one complaint with the hobby. You can find or propagate the trees for free, you can find inexpensive tools, growing medium can often be obtained for free. Pots are another story as you know.
Yes, I have hundreds of trees all in washing up bowls and plastic plant pots. It would cost me thousands of pounds to put them all in ceramics. I'm not sure what my solution will be. I have even contemplated buying a kiln and making my own.
@@TonysBonsai I got some diamond tipped drill bits and had fun making holes in bowls from the carboot. That can work really well. I don't like plastic, it upsets me. Wood is nice, but it doesn't last. It's a real bottleneck for a lot of enthusiasts I think. Is this a supply issue?
No, I just think it's a cost of production thing. When you factor in the cost of materials, the cost of firing to 1200 degrees C and then losses of pots during the process, they end up being expensive. I also suspect that the potters know that their customers can often afford to pay.
That looked like you had some fun! I think the way you chóped the brown pot was a great fix and looked fab! I think I’m ready now to give it a try ! Thanks as always for the inspiration- and let us know how the fireplace turns out!
Thanks peter. Glad to hear that you;re going have a go at this. It's surprisingly enjoyable. My fireplace is looking good, and I'm hoping to have it all fitted and ready to stoke up in the next week or two. I'll make sure I include it in a video.
Hi. Nice. I've been doing this for more than a year now. I changed over to using the wet sand as mold,same as your last pot. When i mix sand with the cement,i sift the sand beforehand. The one you use in the kitchen to sift flour. It comes out very smooth. For bigger pots i strengthen it with strands of galvanized wire.
Loved the video, always fun to make your own pots even though they weigh a ton. I typically spray the inside and outside of the bucket or bowl I am using. Does help the cement pot to slip out easily after it sets.
Tony thank you, I am going to do this. My favourite was the one you did over wet sand, the fact the edges were not the same thickness looked intentional and added something to it I thought. I want a pot to make a forest planting but the price of proper pots is at this time stopping that idea, I will be able work towards that now so cheers.
Hi Claudia. I'm glad you're going to give it a try! I did another one using wet sand the next day (I didn't record it) and it went really well. If you pick yourself up one of those cat litter trays or something similar, you will be able to make yourself a super pot for your forest I'm sure.
I've, thankfully, stumbled onto your video Tony, absolutely brilliant mate. No frills or fuss. No offence intended, but you remind me of Fred Dibnah🤣. Get you on TV and we could have a new national hero. Keep up the good work mate. 👍👍
Cheers Stan. It's interesting that you say that. A few years ago I was asked by a producer at Channel 4 If I would like to have a TV series about wedding photography. I declined at the time as I was busy with different projects. Maybe I should get in contact with him!
Love the video. I find that it’s easier to get the cement pot out by turning the whole thing upside down and pouring hot water on it. The hot water relaxes the pot and the cement pot comes out easily. Thank you for making amateurs like me want to try new things without being intimidated.
Tony you are an artist, we can buy pots from anywhere but artisticly you have to spend a lot on a pot that is different. Really love your work and videos dont ever change
Thank you David. I love hearing that you are enjoying my videos. I'll change when I have 10M subscribers and a Lamborghini, but until then I'm happy being myself! 🤣
Awesome video, try using a cooking spray or an oil based spray as a mold release the cement will come out much easier without risking breaking the pot. Just coat the inside and you'll be fine 👍
Hi there Tony Don't plant your bonsai in them unless you seal the insides off with something as the lime will Leach into your roots and that won't be good!
@@TonysBonsai if I was your neighbour I'd ask for a few for a start of my new hobby. I think it's very creative and long lasting the way youur making them. Have a top weekend 😎 God bless.
Really good video! Looked like fun! You will never have to worry about those particular pots blowing over on a windy day, either!😉👍 Really liked the big one for a forest grouping….and adding colorant was a nice touch. Make it a third to twice as dark as you want the final color…..it always fades over time. Greetings from Montana, U.S.A!
If you keep the concrete damp for a week while it sets it will improve the strength. Drying too fast makes it more brittle, but most people just dry it fast so up to the user. I like working with white Portland cement. Structurally it is the same, but it is more of a white colour instead of grey. I prefer the whiter look, and it is also takes less dye and produces sharper colour if that's the goal. White cement is about twice the price though which can make grey suddenly appealing. For de-molding professionals often use a special wax product to line the mold first but it's pricey. If you're trying to make a show worthy pot it might be worth it.
Loved this video, I would try a release agent like oil in the mold first to help with releasing when dry. What about making a very runny cement mix to rub on the outside to smooth it then sponge whilst still green? Anyway, you have inspired me to have a go. cheers Rich
Hi Rich. I have tried using oil in the ast and I must admit it did make them a bit easier to remove although I found the difference to be minimal. I hope you have a go and make some pots better than mine which shouldn't be too hard!
Great to watch you making pots 👍🤗 There are definitley some take aways for me, as I'm creating my own cement-pots, for some while. My technique differs a little from yours, as I"m using quite liquid cement, soaking a towel and drape around /or inside my decided shape. Putting additional cement stepwise at the inside and outside up to the desired thickeness. This makes me able to keep my pots less heavy. Last outside cover, I like using some coloured cement. Putting a bag inside your buckets and bowls prevents the cement from sticking to hard. Looking forward to more videos. THX Kind regards from Austria 😊
They sound like really interesting designs, and I think that is a technique that I am definitely going to have to have a go at some time. Thanks for the information!
@@TonysBonsai It never worked on the six-pack properly... I was never fat, though... Didn´t you have the proper electric cement mixer? Which mixed 2 or 3 wheelbarrows of mortar at once, you just had to throw the sand and cement inside...
You are soo entertaining I did watch every minute and didn't quit or skip. You could always add your broken tile bits to the outsides of those pots. When you do your Scots pine seeds please show how to video. Xx tia. Mandy.
Glad you enjoyed it Mandy. It's great to hear that people are enjoying my videos. I'll definitely do a video on the scots pines next spring with regular updates as they appear (with a bit of luck anyway)
Great ideas! I'm like you...I can't afford the expensive, pretty pots. And like you, I'm not exhibiting my plants, so this will be a great winter project for me and I'll have somewhat attractive (I hope!!), pots for my bonsai plants
Fantastic work you quite a dab hand at that Tony.... I really need to make one now thanks for the video bro...allways rember Mr Chan herons bonsai did this 50 or 60 years ago before he had a well-known business great stuff
I enjoy making cement pots. I have tried different methods like make a cast of polystyrene and also making a skeleton from chicken wire and ad cemen to it.
The only skip i know is a kangaroo mate, watched the concrete master all the way through. Good to see you being creative Tony, its weird timing as only 3 weeks ago i started to make my own pots with angle grinder and diamond blade to hollow out granite and quartz river rocks...a few sandstone too, its very dusty work and I've killed one angle grinder already but it was only 30 days old so they replaced it for me. The granite pots are so strong and when you concider the stones come from the center of the earth millions of years ago and been rounded by years of water flowing over them and shaping them...they are very special. I hope to sell some on ebay one day and become a millionaire!!
Now they sound really good mate. i love natural stone and to have a hollowed-out piece would be fantastic. I'm not really keen on the dust personally though so I'll just admire your creations when they are ready!
@@TonysBonsai I would like to send you one Tony, just a small sized granite pot. What's your postal address mate? I'll check with Australia post to find out how much it'll cost and if its reasonable I'll send it. Im sure you'll do a unboxing and if i add my email address it might help me sell a few. Im thinking about sending one to Nigel also as he has been a HUGE inspiration to me.
Cheers mate, but that would be too much. It'll cost a bomb sending granite over here. Better to just send me a photo or even better yet a bit of video and I'll include it in a video!
I've dabbled in making cement pots. For molds i use plastic meat trays . recently I've been using plastic mushroom containers but what i do first is pour boiling water on them to melt them into odd shapes. Mine never really come out smooth on the outside which is ok they kinda look like lava rock! I also bought some diamond coreing drill bits to drill ceramic and other hard materials to make drainage holes in things i find at thrift stores. Baking dishes, soap dishes ,anything can become a pot or tray !
@@TonysBonsai it actually started as an accident melting the plastic. Sometimes a nice pot can make a "whatever" tree really pop and vice versa an ugly pot can take away from a beautiful tree. I'm really trying to not have any plastic panters by next year, but i keep getting more plants so i have to get creative with my pot selection 😂
I'm just starting the raod to moving trees from washing up bowls, and I know I'm going to need loads next year, so I need to get busy! i agree about pots making trees luck great too. It can make such a difference.
Thanks, I actually made a pota few months ago using only grano and cement and it came out really textured and seems super strong too so i will make another of those for sure!
Thanks for sharing very inspiring….i find poring boiling water over the plastic will make it easier to release from plastic or covering the plastic with old cooking oil before putting cement into pot.
@@TonysBonsai Hi Tony a couple of thoughts on cement pots have you tried using a plaster sizer and a releaseing agent to help getting the pots out by coating the plastic container maybe worth an experiment to see if you can get the pot out without it sticking to the container. I know when I was working with cement in my early days I used plaster sizer not sure the spelling is right on a couple of words my brain isn’t working too well now. All the best with your experiments mate. Joe.
Yes, I do have some plasticizer knocking about somewhere, but the sbr does a similar job. I'll have a hunt around to see if I can find an old tub and see if it works better.
They came out well! Iv got 2 drying off in the garden! Slightly different style but hopeful. Although I play with Mortar a lot for work I’m a little skeptical about strength worth ago tho!
Sbr may help like you say! Mine Iv done with no additives other than what comes with mastercrete! And building sand 😂 purely in a trail stage atm but a slow cure and a Rich mix will aid strength. I certainly didn’t use a traditional laying mix 🤣
Hi tony I add pearlier to my cement mix and also when I use a former I give it a good coat of veg oil as it helps as a release agent enjoy your vids by the way
Use a fiberglass mesh like they use in drywall to strengthen your pots it flexible and allows it to mold and shape in the concrete to bond through it. Thus better than the granite or wire form.
That was a fantastic video watch Tony. I agree that the brown coloured pot with the rough texture looks good but I also agree that in these times of economic 'doom and gloom' we have to keep looking for cheaper acceptable alternatives for our hobbies. By the way, how is the fireplace going? That definitely brought back memories of several houses I renovated in my early years :)
Cheers mate. Like all bonsai, the key is enjoying it, and I really like making these pots. The fireplace is looking good and ready to be painted. I laid a concrete harth on Sunday so I'm just waiting for that to dry and I'll be ready to paint it all. I'm not really that keen on diy myself, but it has to be done from time to time!
I've been using a Crock-Pot lid but I've been doing it the wrong way obviously I've been putting it on the outside and using stainless steel window screen to reinforce and since here in the states a bag of Portland is around 15 to $18 I just buy concrete and uses screen to sift out the gravel so I just end up with straight cement
Nice video Tony, they look OK but for me I would rather use proper Bonsai pots for my trees. I have seen a similar video on this from Peter Chan at Herons Bonsai. I have used a plastic litter tray for a group planting and all I did was use an enamel spray and sprayed it blue on the outside.
Hi David. I agree. Proper bonsai pots look much better. I have actually invested in a few this winter ready for re-potting in the spring, but I'm still absolutely nowhere near having enough for all my trees. I see these as very much a handy stop gap allowing me to do some group plantings etc
@@TonysBonsai Hi Tony, I usually buy plastic training pots online which are quite cheap. I have seen two videos on youtube making cement Bonsai pots and rather professional looking on the finished product from rectangle to oval, they looked really good that I may even try for myself although making the templates to create the outer shapes from hard plastic may not be as easy as it looks. These videos also use builders sand as the mould.
Hi Tony! 2nd comment 😘 You may use those not perfect pots (to thin at the edge, creapy holes in it) as a a base and fill up, in a second step, as you do with your walls, with fresh cement and using your gloved hands (as cement will soak and dry out your skin while exposition, up to chemical burns). You can ad structure by using a brush or just your fingers. The inside should be smoth without any crackings and holes, as your plants will send their routes in there and create a lot of troubles. 🙏🌳
Yeah been making pots for a few weeks now with sand mould and plastic stencil. First few were mweh but now starting to look really good. Smooth inside with a damp sponge for smooth finish
Use oil ,linseed oil or buy a release agent,but well done for the effort bud and build gigs for your mortar mix mould scrapings will help,regards -South Africa.
Hi Michael. I personally think that the additive I added with make them unlikely to leak anything into the soil, but I suppose you could always paint the inside with sbr. That then leaves a lovely waterproof finish almost like resin.
Great pots. Have you tried the method of soaking cloth or towel in straight cement/water to drape over a mould. I’ll definitely be using some perlite in my mix to make pots lighter.
I've been making concrete pots for a number of years and have found that adding polypropylene fibres to the mix (available on Amazon etc) improves the strength and prevents cracking. Most of my pots make it through the winter. I have pots that have survived 5 UK winters intact. Remember to leave your concrete pots out in the weather for 6 months before using them so that the alkaloids are leached out by the rain before use.
As Rhys says, I have no doubt that they will last a winter or two, but whether they will be here in 10 years is another question entirely. I'll let you know in 2032! 🤣
Mad cement skills Tony!! I really enjoyed the video, very inspiring!!
Thanks Nigel. I remember you saying that you like cement pots. I'm going to try to make some more refined ones in the future!
A few of tips I've found useful:
- Use a pinch of polypropylene fibres to frost proof the cement mix
- I sometimes add perlite to the mix in bigger pots to make them lightweight
- You can use polystyrene carved to shape to fill the hole in the middle of the pot for a better finish. Wrap it in sellotape if you want to reuse
- use a vegetable oil spray or WD40 on the moulds as a release agent to get them out easily
- It's important to leave cement pots out in the weather for 6 months before use so the rain washes out harmful alkaloids which can harm root systems.
I forgot to add... be very generous with the amount of Mortartone cement colourant you use as it fades fast.
Great tips there rhys! I bought some fibres which i tried in a previous experiment and I found that they seemed to compromise the strength of the pots although I am guessing that i added way too much. DO you literally just add a pinch?
@@TonysBonsai it depends how much mix you're making, but a little pinch of the fibres goes a very long way. Add the fibres right at the start of your mix too so they get a good chance to disperse. Great video by the way 👍
Great tips! Thanks for those. I was planning on making a bunch of these over the winter and letting them cure in my basement, but now I'm thinking that when the weather warms up a bit(I'm in Michigan with cold winters), I can put them outside to get the junk leached out if the pots so I can actually use them come springtime
@@TonysBonsaiNot sure if someone mentioned here, but if you pour hot water on plastic buckets, they will release cement.
I'm writing from a place where the monthly basic salary is less than 300 dollars. A retired citizen is paid much less than that; 188 dollars, exactly. Hence, what you are doing in this video is much appreciated by those who accidentally grow bonsai around here.
Hi Jack. Yes, I think anything that helps make bonsai more accessible to everyone is a good thing.
Your trowel skills are no joke! Great Job!
Hi Tony. Interesting to see your cement pots. I have made quite a few Hypertufa pots for Alpines etc. the mix is Portland cement, Peat Moss and Perlite (or Vermiculite) in equal parts. The pots are a lot lighter than using a cement mix as there is no sand. They hold up well to frost and look a lot less like concrete, they are a much more natural look. I have many planted up with alpines and a couple planted with ‘bonsai’
Once the pots are dry after 24/48 hrs I soak them for a few days in a vinegar and water mix to leach the lime.
The best moulds I found were extra large washing up bowls, but there are lots of shapes you can use. Lining the mould with polythene helps with removal of the pot when its dry. Making the drainage hole while the mix is still wet is so much easier than when its dry. You did Great job.
You will find facebook pages for Hypertufa makers.
Ps. Better to sift the peat moss to remove big bits of wood etc.
Hi Margaret. I am definitely going to have to experiment with these hypertufa pots. It sounds crazy to me adding compost, but at the end of the day, if they work that's what matters!
Thanks. Great work. Something to keep my ADHD grandson busy with. I love working with cement too.
I love how you just improvised when the edge broke off! Such a great and positive approach :)
I like this and am casting about for things to use. The grey ones look like a rock has been weathered by wind and rain and the brown ones almost look like they are made from a log.
Good clear presentation as usual. Thanks!
I've discovered my niche. I make homemade pots that are so fragile and thin that they break before you even put a plant in them. A sort of a zen-ish thing!
That sounds like a zen koan. What is a pot that isn't a pot? 🤣
Great video Tony! I watched to the very end as couldn’t wait to see the finished product. Years ago I made concrete pots for succulents using Portland cement. As a new-be to bonsai I now have another hobby to brush up on. Thank you!
Hi Tony. You done a great job. Tip on getting pots out of your containers. Sponge a little cooking oil around, when the pots have dried, they should come out abit easier. The pots look pretty good. Bonsais should look good.
Best and most interesting cement pot I've seen! Thanks!!
Good job buddy!!! You are putting out some bonsai zingers!!! I'm from Texas in America.
Glad you're enjoying them mate. I do love a bit Texan barbeque. Perfect with some bonsai work
Those pots turned out lovely. Great stuff Tony!
Thanks, I was really happy with how they turned out!
When I saw Tony open the bag of sand I thought this guy is a professional, looks like I was right
Really enjoyable video. Thank you for taking me on this journey, I might have a go. Nice big pots aren't cheap!
You're not wrong there. They are lovely things but they cost a small fortune once you start going over 40cm
@@TonysBonsai It's my one complaint with the hobby. You can find or propagate the trees for free, you can find inexpensive tools, growing medium can often be obtained for free. Pots are another story as you know.
Yes, I have hundreds of trees all in washing up bowls and plastic plant pots. It would cost me thousands of pounds to put them all in ceramics. I'm not sure what my solution will be. I have even contemplated buying a kiln and making my own.
@@TonysBonsai I got some diamond tipped drill bits and had fun making holes in bowls from the carboot. That can work really well. I don't like plastic, it upsets me. Wood is nice, but it doesn't last. It's a real bottleneck for a lot of enthusiasts I think. Is this a supply issue?
No, I just think it's a cost of production thing. When you factor in the cost of materials, the cost of firing to 1200 degrees C and then losses of pots during the process, they end up being expensive. I also suspect that the potters know that their customers can often afford to pay.
You have some really great ideas and I will definitely try them this spring
That looked like you had some fun! I think the way you chóped the brown pot was a great fix and looked fab! I think I’m ready now to give it a try ! Thanks as always for the inspiration- and let us know how the fireplace turns out!
Thanks peter. Glad to hear that you;re going have a go at this. It's surprisingly enjoyable.
My fireplace is looking good, and I'm hoping to have it all fitted and ready to stoke up in the next week or two. I'll make sure I include it in a video.
Hi. Nice. I've been doing this for more than a year now. I changed over to using the wet sand as mold,same as your last pot. When i mix sand with the cement,i sift the sand beforehand. The one you use in the kitchen to sift flour. It comes out very smooth. For bigger pots i strengthen it with strands of galvanized wire.
Interesting idea with the sifting Timothy. I'm going to explore this technique further, cheers!
At School I used to do Pewter and Aluminium casting! Many thanks for the great tutorial Tony!
Sounds fun! I doubt they'd allow pewter casting nowadays with the lead in it, which is a shame because stuff like that is great fun!
Loved the video, always fun to make your own pots even though they weigh a ton. I typically spray the inside and outside of the bucket or bowl I am using. Does help the cement pot to slip out easily after it sets.
Thanks you. yes it is great fun to make our own pots, and I'm definitely going to make more next year
I love it. Thanks for the tips. Greetings from Papua New Guinea
Tony thank you, I am going to do this. My favourite was the one you did over wet sand, the fact the edges were not the same thickness looked intentional and added something to it I thought. I want a pot to make a forest planting but the price of proper pots is at this time stopping that idea, I will be able work towards that now so cheers.
Hi Claudia. I'm glad you're going to give it a try! I did another one using wet sand the next day (I didn't record it) and it went really well.
If you pick yourself up one of those cat litter trays or something similar, you will be able to make yourself a super pot for your forest I'm sure.
They look really great mate! Nicely done. Thanks for sharing
Cheers mate. yeah they turned out ok for a beginner. My next ones will be a bit more pollished!
Great video Toney looked like a lot of fun
I've, thankfully, stumbled onto your video Tony, absolutely brilliant mate. No frills or fuss.
No offence intended, but you remind me of Fred Dibnah🤣. Get you on TV and we could have a new national hero. Keep up the good work mate. 👍👍
Cheers Stan. It's interesting that you say that. A few years ago I was asked by a producer at Channel 4 If I would like to have a TV series about wedding photography. I declined at the time as I was busy with different projects. Maybe I should get in contact with him!
Love the video. I find that it’s easier to get the cement pot out by turning the whole thing upside down and pouring hot water on it. The hot water relaxes the pot and the cement pot comes out easily. Thank you for making amateurs like me want to try new things without being intimidated.
That's a great tip thanks Jackie!
Learned a lot Tony! Keep the videos coming!! Thank you!!
Thanks Alan. I love doing this kind of work. It's really satisfying when one turns out to be good!
Tony you are an artist, we can buy pots from anywhere but artisticly you have to spend a lot on a pot that is different. Really love your work and videos dont ever change
Thank you David. I love hearing that you are enjoying my videos. I'll change when I have 10M subscribers and a Lamborghini, but until then I'm happy being myself! 🤣
Awesome video, try using a cooking spray or an oil based spray as a mold release the cement will come out much easier without risking breaking the pot. Just coat the inside and you'll be fine 👍
Cheers mate. I'll definitely give that a try next time!
Hi there Tony Don't plant your bonsai in them unless you seal the insides off with something as the lime will Leach into your roots and that won't be good!
Good point Wayne. I just leave them outside in the rain for six months and they should be ok I hope.
This was soo cool mate. I loved it.❤
Excellent. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and the pots are standing up to the weather very well
@@TonysBonsai if I was your neighbour I'd ask for a few for a start of my new hobby. I think it's very creative and long lasting the way youur making them. Have a top weekend 😎 God bless.
Really good video! Looked like fun! You will never have to worry about those particular pots blowing over on a windy day, either!😉👍
Really liked the big one for a forest grouping….and adding colorant was a nice touch. Make it a third to twice as dark as you want the final color…..it always fades over time.
Greetings from Montana, U.S.A!
Hi Caryn, you make a good point. Not only are they windproof, but they are also anti-theft! 🤣
If you keep the concrete damp for a week while it sets it will improve the strength. Drying too fast makes it more brittle, but most people just dry it fast so up to the user.
I like working with white Portland cement. Structurally it is the same, but it is more of a white colour instead of grey. I prefer the whiter look, and it is also takes less dye and produces sharper colour if that's the goal. White cement is about twice the price though which can make grey suddenly appealing.
For de-molding professionals often use a special wax product to line the mold first but it's pricey. If you're trying to make a show worthy pot it might be worth it.
I love this Tony! Devinitely gonna give this a go in a future video! I love the cat litter tray
Go for it. It's great fun.
That’s a messy business. My grandkids would like making grandpa some pots. Thanks, keep growing
It's great fun. Youy should definitely get them making some next time you have them over!
Those came out awesome!
Thank you Anita. Not bad for a first proper attempt
Tony I don't think even you are killing enough bonsia to keep the burner going 😉 .love a bit of craft thrift of the pots.great fun
I don't know Duaine. The pile of dead bonsai is pretty big! 🤣
Loved this video, I would try a release agent like oil in the mold first to help with releasing when dry. What about making a very runny cement mix to rub on the outside to smooth it then sponge whilst still green? Anyway, you have inspired me to have a go.
cheers
Rich
Hi Rich. I have tried using oil in the ast and I must admit it did make them a bit easier to remove although I found the difference to be minimal. I hope you have a go and make some pots better than mine which shouldn't be too hard!
Great to watch you making pots 👍🤗 There are definitley some take aways for me, as I'm creating my own cement-pots, for some while. My technique differs a little from yours, as I"m using quite liquid cement, soaking a towel and drape around /or inside my decided shape. Putting additional cement stepwise at the inside and outside up to the desired thickeness. This makes me able to keep my pots less heavy. Last outside cover, I like using some coloured cement.
Putting a bag inside your buckets and bowls prevents the cement from sticking to hard.
Looking forward to more videos. THX
Kind regards from Austria 😊
They sound like really interesting designs, and I think that is a technique that I am definitely going to have to have a go at some time. Thanks for the information!
@@TonysBonsaiHi Tony, rewatching your video and found the old comments- have you done some more pots?
Hope you are well ❤ Cheers 🙋♀️ Martina
Cool I’m looking 👀 for a Bonsai slab for my Giant Sequoia Red Wood bonsai landscape project 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💚
Banging video that Tony the sr will definitely help with the strength, I dig watching you lay on as well 😀
Cheers mate. I didn;t want to include too much as I thought it might be boring, I might do a time-lapse sometime when I render my workshop.
Very enjoyable video Thanks Tony
I think they look great 😊
Thanks Maria. I've definitely been impressed by how durable they were in very cold weather this winter
Thanks for this topic! Reminds me the times when I worked on the building sites, mixing tons or concrete and mortar...
yeah I have spent plenty of time mixing mortar with a shovel. It's great for the six-pack, or at least that's what I used to tell the ladies!
@@TonysBonsai It never worked on the six-pack properly... I was never fat, though...
Didn´t you have the proper electric cement mixer? Which mixed 2 or 3 wheelbarrows of mortar at once, you just had to throw the sand and cement inside...
Brilliant vid, no end to your skills 👍
In this area they never started 🤣
@@TonysBonsai 😂😂😂😂
Great video Tony!!! You hade me good in the start. Learn Counting with Tony hahahaha 🤣
I should start a new channel. Counting with tony 🤣
@@TonysBonsai hahaha hahaha
That was great! I enjoyed watching👍🌟
Thank you Newman. Glad you enjoyed it, and I hope you will have a go yourself!
You are soo entertaining I did watch every minute and didn't quit or skip. You could always add your broken tile bits to the outsides of those pots. When you do your Scots pine seeds please show how to video. Xx tia. Mandy.
Glad you enjoyed it Mandy. It's great to hear that people are enjoying my videos. I'll definitely do a video on the scots pines next spring with regular updates as they appear (with a bit of luck anyway)
Nice job Tony. I'm a bit worried about the weight of some of them but cheap & practical wins the day for me ! 👍👍
They're certainly not lightweight options, but they are light on the pocket Guy!
thanks,another great post !
Glad you enjoyed it mate
The cat litter one is perfect with the contoured bottom as legs, might have to try this. Thanks for the info.
Yes, It seems to work well that one. I'll definitely be doing more of those.
Very nice video. Saving for later to try myself!
They seem to be pretty tough so far, and I'll be making quite a few more next summer I think
I made bonsia pots in jr. High school. Nice video.
Great ideas! I'm like you...I can't afford the expensive, pretty pots. And like you, I'm not exhibiting my plants, so this will be a great winter project for me and I'll have somewhat attractive (I hope!!), pots for my bonsai plants
Good man. Just watch out that it's not too cold at night. cement has to be ideally above 5C to set
I stuck around! haha great video thanks
🤣I see what you did there mate!
Fantastic work you quite a dab hand at that Tony.... I really need to make one now thanks for the video bro...allways rember Mr Chan herons bonsai did this 50 or 60 years ago before he had a well-known business great stuff
I've seen his videos and he still has some of his old pots which shows that they last. I hope you produce some nice pots yourself!
I enjoy making cement pots. I have tried different methods like make a cast of polystyrene and also making a skeleton from chicken wire and ad cemen to it.
Hi Jesper. I like the idea of the polystyrene. I bet that produces a good finish to the outside of the pot too.
The only skip i know is a kangaroo mate, watched the concrete master all the way through. Good to see you being creative Tony, its weird timing as only 3 weeks ago i started to make my own pots with angle grinder and diamond blade to hollow out granite and quartz river rocks...a few sandstone too, its very dusty work and I've killed one angle grinder already but it was only 30 days old so they replaced it for me. The granite pots are so strong and when you concider the stones come from the center of the earth millions of years ago and been rounded by years of water flowing over them and shaping them...they are very special. I hope to sell some on ebay one day and become a millionaire!!
Now they sound really good mate. i love natural stone and to have a hollowed-out piece would be fantastic. I'm not really keen on the dust personally though so I'll just admire your creations when they are ready!
@@TonysBonsai I would like to send you one Tony, just a small sized granite pot. What's your postal address mate? I'll check with Australia post to find out how much it'll cost and if its reasonable I'll send it. Im sure you'll do a unboxing and if i add my email address it might help me sell a few. Im thinking about sending one to Nigel also as he has been a HUGE inspiration to me.
Cheers mate, but that would be too much. It'll cost a bomb sending granite over here. Better to just send me a photo or even better yet a bit of video and I'll include it in a video!
nice work !!
Brilliant, the red washing up bowl one is ace
Cheers. Yeah were a bit rough around the edges, but they definitely seem tough and will do the job.
I've dabbled in making cement pots. For molds i use plastic meat trays . recently I've been using plastic mushroom containers but what i do first is pour boiling water on them to melt them into odd shapes. Mine never really come out smooth on the outside which is ok they kinda look like lava rock! I also bought some diamond coreing drill bits to drill ceramic and other hard materials to make drainage holes in things i find at thrift stores. Baking dishes, soap dishes ,anything can become a pot or tray !
That's an interesting idea melting the pot first to get interesting shapes, and like you I'm now on the hunt for anything which has a good shape.
@@TonysBonsai it actually started as an accident melting the plastic. Sometimes a nice pot can make a "whatever" tree really pop and vice versa an ugly pot can take away from a beautiful tree. I'm really trying to not have any plastic panters by next year, but i keep getting more plants so i have to get creative with my pot selection 😂
I'm just starting the raod to moving trees from washing up bowls, and I know I'm going to need loads next year, so I need to get busy!
i agree about pots making trees luck great too. It can make such a difference.
I like the coarse appearance,
very industrious
I have seen colored powder you add to the cement, pretty cool
Cheers
Thanks, I actually made a pota few months ago using only grano and cement and it came out really textured and seems super strong too so i will make another of those for sure!
@@TonysBonsai as soon as posted that comment, you came with the colored powder!
Lol
🤣I do that myself too!
I really liked the plant pot one the best really fun video
Thanks, Louise. That one surprised me at how well it turned out!
Thanks for sharing very inspiring….i find poring boiling water over the plastic will make it easier to release from plastic or covering the plastic with old cooking oil before putting cement into pot.
Hi Tony. I've done this with mixed results. When they turn out ok, it's worth doing. Yours look more successful than mine 🙂
Hi Mike. yeah I've had a few goes with some very mixed results. There are quite a few botches lying around the place!
Nice work my friend! If you oil the inside of the plastic containers it will come out more easily! Keep up the nice content!
Nice one Tony I like what you have created for a few pence.
Thanks Joe. I will definitely be refining my technique, but I think these are decent enough to start with.
@@TonysBonsai Hi Tony a couple of thoughts on cement pots have you tried using a plaster sizer and a releaseing agent to help getting the pots out by coating the plastic container maybe worth an experiment to see if you can get the pot out without it sticking to the container. I know when I was working with cement in my early days I used plaster sizer not sure the spelling is right on a couple of words my brain isn’t working too well now. All the best with your experiments mate. Joe.
Yes, I do have some plasticizer knocking about somewhere, but the sbr does a similar job. I'll have a hunt around to see if I can find an old tub and see if it works better.
Tony from Catalonia, next time you can use white cement, then you can stain with pigments and make pots of different colors.
a hug oscar
Hi Oscar. It's taken me some time, but I have just managed to source some white cement as it isn't popular over here. Thanks for the idea!
line the moulds with veg oil
I have tried that previously, and I think it did make them slightly easier to get out, so I think I will return to that technique in the future.
Lining with thin polythene sheet is also a great way to release the pot. It also gives a nice natural texture of creases.
They came out well! Iv got 2 drying off in the garden! Slightly different style but hopeful. Although I play with Mortar a lot for work I’m a little skeptical about strength worth ago tho!
Yes, I love sbr in the mix. It really does add a lot of strength to mortar, especially in a sharp sand. Also I would give building sand a wide berth.
Sbr may help like you say! Mine Iv done with no additives other than what comes with mastercrete! And building sand 😂 purely in a trail stage atm but a slow cure and a Rich mix will aid strength. I certainly didn’t use a traditional laying mix 🤣
You should do a video when you've mastered the technique!
Trimakasih telah berbagi informasi tentang pot bonsai kawan
Thanks!
Hi tony I add pearlier to my cement mix and also when I use a former I give it a good coat of veg oil as it helps as a release agent enjoy your vids by the way
Hi Sean. That is interesting. I've never heard of pearlier what is it?
@@TonysBonsai sorry mate typo pearlite that’s what I get for not wearing my glasses lmao
@@seancallaghan7841 🤣That makes sense! I was googling admixes for cement🤣🤣
great video, learned a lot Thak You
Use a fiberglass mesh like they use in drywall to strengthen your pots it flexible and allows it to mold and shape in the concrete to bond through it. Thus better than the granite or wire form.
That's a good idea, thanks Rick
That's a great idea!
That was a fantastic video watch Tony. I agree that the brown coloured pot with the rough texture looks good but I also agree that in these times of economic 'doom and gloom' we have to keep looking for cheaper acceptable alternatives for our hobbies. By the way, how is the fireplace going? That definitely brought back memories of several houses I renovated in my early years :)
Cheers mate. Like all bonsai, the key is enjoying it, and I really like making these pots.
The fireplace is looking good and ready to be painted. I laid a concrete harth on Sunday so I'm just waiting for that to dry and I'll be ready to paint it all.
I'm not really that keen on diy myself, but it has to be done from time to time!
Very nice I'm definitely gonna try it! I'm a beginner so most of my bonsai are rubbish:)
Definitely worth a go I think, and You'll be surprised how quickly those rubbish trees start to look pretty good Tim
I've been using a Crock-Pot lid but I've been doing it the wrong way obviously I've been putting it on the outside and using stainless steel window screen to reinforce and since here in the states a bag of Portland is around 15 to $18 I just buy concrete and uses screen to sift out the gravel so I just end up with straight cement
Hello Tony iv been making concrete pots a while now I use a large desert spoon and a 2in paint brush to clean up the insides
Hi Gary. That's a good idea to achieve a smoother finish. I'll give it a try and see how I get on. Thanks
@@TonysBonsai thanks Tony
Two ladybirds, got it 🤣 Also, Always sign your work 😉
That's a good point. Perhaps I will start signing them when they are a bit better.
Just wipe the inside of pots with vegetable oil or used motor oil , for a quicker release.
Nice video Tony, they look OK but for me I would rather use proper Bonsai pots for my trees. I have seen a similar video on this from Peter Chan at Herons Bonsai. I have used a plastic litter tray for a group planting and all I did was use an enamel spray and sprayed it blue on the outside.
Hi David. I agree. Proper bonsai pots look much better. I have actually invested in a few this winter ready for re-potting in the spring, but I'm still absolutely nowhere near having enough for all my trees.
I see these as very much a handy stop gap allowing me to do some group plantings etc
@@TonysBonsai Hi Tony, I usually buy plastic training pots online which are quite cheap. I have seen two videos on youtube making cement Bonsai pots and rather professional looking on the finished product from rectangle to oval, they looked really good that I may even try for myself although making the templates to create the outer shapes from hard plastic may not be as easy as it looks. These videos also use builders sand as the mould.
Hi Tony! 2nd comment 😘
You may use those not perfect pots (to thin at the edge, creapy holes in it) as a a base and fill up, in a second step, as you do with your walls, with fresh cement and using your gloved hands (as cement will soak and dry out your skin while exposition, up to chemical burns).
You can ad structure by using a brush or just your fingers.
The inside should be smoth without any crackings and holes, as your plants will send their routes in there and create a lot of troubles. 🙏🌳
yes, I think you're right about needing a smoother finish, and that's definitely something I'm going to try to work on in the future.
Yeah been making pots for a few weeks now with sand mould and plastic stencil. First few were mweh but now starting to look really good. Smooth inside with a damp sponge for smooth finish
Nice one mate. I've just seen the ones you sent and they are top class!
Yes I have made a few Tony haven’t made any for a while though x🇬🇧😊❤️
You should start making some more Jane!
Tony if you get any more problems with getting pot released try pouring hot water over plastic x🇬🇧😊❤️
That would have been very helpful, and I'll definitely bear that in mind in the future as that pot was well stuck!
Nice!
Really Thanks Tony.
Cheers Bobby. This was a bit of fun, and I'll definitely be making more I reckon.
A fun video Tony
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it
Use oil ,linseed oil or buy a release agent,but well done for the effort bud and build gigs for your mortar mix mould scrapings will help,regards -South Africa.
Two good ideas there Herman! Much appreciated.
Maybe try a thin layer of oil as a releasing agent. Car wax also will works well as a releasing agent
I did not skip Tony
Uma dica, lave com água quente o molde plástico que se solta com facilidade...
You ça pour hot water on the plastic to help release the cement. I enjoyed watching
Great video Tony I will be having a go at doing some .is there a sealant that I could paint on ...
Hi Michael. I personally think that the additive I added with make them unlikely to leak anything into the soil, but I suppose you could always paint the inside with sbr. That then leaves a lovely waterproof finish almost like resin.
@@TonysBonsai thank you Tony
I've made a few and had a great time. Even fixed a few. I don't see a way here to send you a picture probably smart :)
I'm going to do a shout out later this year for people to end me some of their images/video for a video
you can try and put wax in the insides of the molds
Great pots. Have you tried the method of soaking cloth or towel in straight cement/water to drape over a mould. I’ll definitely be using some perlite in my mix to make pots lighter.
No, it's something I've never really heard of Janet, but it sounds really interesting! I'll do some research, thanks!
Tony I’ll pm you about pot with towel
@@AndrewHomer
Planter Banter did a video showing it about a year ago
Well, the last pot is unique, but I don't think it could win a bonsai show lol, anyway I think buying a pot is quicker and easier.
Hi Tony,do you think the pots will last through a uk winter.
I've been making concrete pots for a number of years and have found that adding polypropylene fibres to the mix (available on Amazon etc) improves the strength and prevents cracking. Most of my pots make it through the winter. I have pots that have survived 5 UK winters intact.
Remember to leave your concrete pots out in the weather for 6 months before using them so that the alkaloids are leached out by the rain before use.
As Rhys says, I have no doubt that they will last a winter or two, but whether they will be here in 10 years is another question entirely. I'll let you know in 2032! 🤣