Drainage Screen "Hardware Cloth"

[KennedyMarx]

This is a good less expensive alternative, dry wall tape: http://www.homedepot.com/Paint-Pain...oreId=10051&superSkuId=202938902#.UQ08IFp2HtA

I've been using drywall tape to cover the drainage holes in my training pots and it seems to hold up pretty well. It's convenient to just put it over the hole and cover it with soil without the need to bother with wiring it in to place.

 

[Poink88]

This is a good less expensive alternative, dry wall tape: http://www.homedepot.com/Paint-Pain...oreId=10051&superSkuId=202938902#.UQ08IFp2HtA

I use this for my plastic training pots but stocked on the plastic ones for proper pots.

The tape is very convenient to use and fast but they do deteriorate and too soft for larger holes. I believe they are not UV resistant...not much exposure since they are in the bottom but my pots are on shelves/elevated and get some exposure. A few became brittle in less than a year. The ones that are not exposed are okay. Just FYI.

 

[fore]

Another downside is that can come up when you stick wire up the holes. I finally bought some of the hard plastic screens

 

[edprocoat]

I never really thought about this at all and that's ironic as I spend tons of time repairing and restoring the corrosion protection on cars that have been in a collision. When dissimilar metals come in contact with each other, galvanic corrosion occurs which is a fairly rapid process especially in the presence of water and salts. Has anyone ever noticed whether or not aluminum and copper react? I know that aluminum and steel does pretty significantly. Probably not a problem unless you use steel and aluminum wire. I have only seen steel on Chinese imports. I doubt it would harm the tree much more than discoloration.

Yes aluminum and copper corrode when touching. In Lightning rod installations you have to use a bi-metallic connector in between an aluminum cable and a copper ground to keep it from rotting away.

ed