Anderson flats now being sold in multiple case quantities

[Kievnstavick]

That does seem quite high to me. Then again, I am spoiled by Amazon shipping rates and those trying to compete.

Shipping to just up north of their location to Washington is about $60 for case A. Case B had a better rate of $55 for two total. Although still high, it doesn't sound too bad. At least the shipping costs less then the items.

 

[andrewiles]

Yeah, the shipping is unfortunate. I think the cost is due to the bulkiness. Certainly not the weight. I ordered a case and the containers on both ends were broken. They are not padded inside the box during shipping. To their credit they sent me replacements without hassle.

I've been using pond baskets https://www.homedepot.com/p/TOTALPO...nt-Basket-52252/202017092#ratings-and-reviews with 'acceptable' results. What are the advantages of Anderson flats over pond baskets?

For one thing, these are quite different volumes. The Anderson flats are substantially bigger. The pond baskets provide better root development, because the roots self-prune and ramify as they dry at the edges. On a pot with solid edges, like an Anderson flat, the roots tend to wrap around and elongate. The pond baskets do dry out much faster though, so you need to really be on top of watering.

 

[bluone23]

I've seen these many times on this forum and I understand why they are very good for our bonsai hobby.
Does anybody know if these flats (or something similar) are available in Europe?

I have pond baskets in all different size but those are not the same as the flats.

I’ve been searching for a few years but I did not find them also.
The only alternative that I found are the worm farming tower thing

But its around 100€ (25€ per tray a bit too much I’d say)

 

[Maiden69]

The only alternative that I found are the worm farming tower thing

Welp... I had no idea there was such a thing. Looking at the pics online they are pretty similar to the Anderson flats... and the measurements 15.75"L x 15.75"W x 5"H are, dare I say... identical. Amazon link,


Drip Works - $10 ea, shipping based on total price of order.


It is still cheaper to order through Stuewe to most locations, but depending on how hefty shipping is, Drip Works could be an option as well. I do think this items are identical, given the pictures provided by the sellers.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

It is still cheaper to order through Stuewe to most locations, but depending on how hefty shipping is

As an experiment, I went to UPS to see how much it would cost me to ship a box to Stuewe & Sons. I assumed 15lb weight, and 18" x 18" x 36" box. The cheapest price I could get was UPS ground was $182.36.... but with a one-time discount code I got it down to $151.54.

I guess we know how they can afford to pay their drivers $150,000 per year

For fun I went to USPS and tried the same thing. Best price I could get was $191.45.

 

[Paradox]

I love these for a first training pot for large trees but I don't use them often. I think I have 3 or 4 trees in them right now.

I've also adapted them to rinse fish tank gravel by putting a smaller mesh on the bottom.

I ordered 20 of them 10 years ago. I think I still have about 12-15 left in the stack in my basement.

Yea the shipping is a killer but it's because of the size of the box. They last longer than plastic storage boxes I bought from Walmart to try as cheaper training pots so it evens out

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I've also adapted them to rinse fish tank gravel by putting a smaller mesh on the bottom.

When I first started using these, I would cut squares of window screen mesh and put them in the bottom. It was a bad idea. Roots get into the mesh and there is no way to extricate them without cutting the root or destroying the screen. It was less of an issue with bigger trees (when you would be trimming roots anyway) but it was a big issue with seedlings - especially if you let your flats of seedlings grow for two seasons before removing them for transplanting.

 

[Maiden69]

As an experiment, I went to UPS to see how much it would cost me to ship a box to Stuewe & Sons. I assumed 15lb weight, and 18" x 18" x 36" box. The cheapest price I could get was UPS ground was $182.36.... but with a one-time discount code I got it down to $151.54.

I guess we know how they can afford to pay their drivers $150,000 per year

For fun I went to USPS and tried the same thing. Best price I could get was $191.45.

I think that since Covid, this shipping companies are probably hurting because of the great price on gas in the US... so they are not only overcharging, but probably triple/quadruple charging regular customer on shipping charges. I remember shipping UPS 4 wheel/tires to anywhere in the US for about the same price they are quoting you on that box. I think from now on I will use Pirateship... as their rates are 1/2 or less what UPS/FedEx/USPS advertise on their sites.

 

[Paradox]

When I first started using these, I would cut squares of window screen mesh and put them in the bottom. It was a bad idea. Roots get into the mesh and there is no way to extricate them without cutting the root or destroying the screen. It was less of an issue with bigger trees (when you would be trimming roots anyway) but it was a big issue with seedlings - especially if you let your flats of seedlings grow for two seasons before removing them for transplanting.

Yea I wouldn't line them with smaller screen for trees, especially window screens. Might have put the same plastic screen used for drainage holes on the bottom if the holes were too big for the soil, I don't remember.

 

[TrevorLarsen]

Wouldn’t the best solution be to use a layer of larger particle size media on the bottom instead of using a screen? That is just what makes sense to me but I haven’t even received mine let alone used any.

 

[MSU JBoots]

Welp... I had no idea there was such a thing. Looking at the pics online they are pretty similar to the Anderson flats... and the measurements 15.75"L x 15.75"W x 5"H are, dare I say... identical. Amazon link,
View attachment 527346

Drip Works - $10 ea, shipping based on total price of order.
View attachment 527347

It is still cheaper to order through Stuewe to most locations, but depending on how hefty shipping is, Drip Works could be an option as well. I do think this items are identical, given the pictures provided by the sellers.

These worm farm trays look promising. Let me know if you pick some up how you like them. I don’t think I have anything in need of Anderson flat just yet but I might soon.

 

[bluone23]

I’m glad you guys found about the worm farm boxes.
In Europe still did not find Anderson flats also they dont sell the worm boxes separately.

If anyone finds them please post a link

 

[Deleted member 47471]

I have

been using Bootstrap farmer trays for years. They are very tough and will last at least a decade. I like the 5 inch inserts.
BTW, the sell them on Amazon.

I spoke with Danny Coffey recently, and he mentioned that roots being wedged between the bottom interior/exterior through the holes can be problematic if left "too long" and unattended. He mentioned cutting the bottom out of the container was annoying. He spoke highly of using Terracotta Bulb Pans for less hassle and a cleaner appearance overall. I am still going to use my AFs but also repot into a Terracotta Bulb Pan this Spring and see how that goes. What are your thoughts on Terracotta/experience with these pots?

 

[Maiden69]

Terracotta Bulb Pan

I have used a few... not in the same league as the Anderson Flat... you can get a few roots come out of the bigger hole in the center, but the flat will allow maximum roots to escape, giving you faster development. Just lift it up every year and trim the escape roots. You could place it in a slightly above grade mound, then use a wood saw style pruner and cut them off, then place the flat again on the ground.

https://www.amazon.com/Corona-RazorTOOTH-Heavy-Duty-RS-7510D/dp/B01LZ7UL4F?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

https://www.amazon.com/SELECT-Saw-200-Pruner-155/dp/B001Y522HY

 

[kale]

I ordered some and will be trying them out this spring with a few 3 year old trees I have. I’m a little concerned theyre black and will roast in the sun. Is that an issue for anyone?

 

[Deleted member 47471]

I ordered some and will be trying them out this spring with a few 3 year old trees I have. I’m a little concerned theyre black and will roast in the sun. Is that an issue for anyone?

Black plastic is usually a standard for nursery and growing containers, absorbing heat and promoting good growth of the root system. I would not expect root roasting but in theory, (and from what I’ve seen and read thus far) they seem safe and appear to work well.

 

[BrianBay9]

I've had a different challenge. I put trees in pond baskets and flats on the ground to allow root escape for a season. The spot I chose was under my line of redwood trees for shade, since our summer are scorching. I pulled them up recently and found few escaping roots, but loads of redwood roots growing up from the ground and populating my baskets/flats. Looks like I won't be able to leave these on the ground without the redwoods taking over the space.

 

[Maiden69]

I've had a different challenge. I put trees in pond baskets and flats on the ground to allow root escape for a season. The spot I chose was under my line of redwood trees for shade, since our summer are scorching. I pulled them up recently and found few escaping roots, but loads of redwood roots growing up from the ground and populating my baskets/flats. Looks like I won't be able to leave these on the ground without the redwoods taking over the space.

I already knew about this, not only tree roots, but grass as well. At this time I am not using flats, but root pouches and I added a layer of thick weed barrier on the area I was going to build my above ground beds before filling them with mulch. It stopped the oaks roots from growing in as well as the bermuda grass runners. When I moved, there were a lot of root tips from the trees, and a bunch of grass runners running under the weed barrier, but none penetrated into the planters. As an added measure on the planters I also added a layer of weed barrier inside, going half way up the sides of the walls before filling in with mulch.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I've had a different challenge. I put trees in pond baskets and flats on the ground to allow root escape for a season. The spot I chose was under my line of redwood trees for shade, since our summer are scorching. I pulled them up recently and found few escaping roots, but loads of redwood roots growing up from the ground and populating my baskets/flats. Looks like I won't be able to leave these on the ground without the redwoods taking over the space.

Try putting down a bed of mulch first. When I first started putting them directly on the ground I had problems like you are describing, but a 3-4" bed of pine mulch alleviates much of the issue and makes it much easier to lift the flats later - after a year or too. The mulch tends to come right up without much of a fight.

 

[RaginCajun]

I really like these. I've been getting them on Amazon but they are the rectangle. Thanks for sharing the tip for the square Anderson flats!
I use them a lot too. I've got a couple larger ones that I'll set several shohin and mame pots in when it's a blazing inferno outside... They make excellent summer time trays for smaller trees. Single trees planted in them, just like you said, they sit on the ground in a space I've made for the trees, roots escape and really helps a lot with stress on the plants. I can go on and on about how awesome they are.