antique rootpruning pots

Bangkok says...
I see, links don't work on this forum for some reason.

On the pic you see those planters rebuilt in same style but i doubt if these can open the sidedoors.

I want to have them fully working so i can easy open the sidedoors without any tool needed.

Pictures - Click to enlarge
Picture: 1

Bangkok says...
Well i'm also new to rootpruning but i think i would cut all the roots which are in sight after opening the sidedoors.

Then close the door and fill it with fresh soil at the gaps.

I use many big pots but it's a hard job to lift 100+ litre soil with a tree in it.

Some tree's make very long roots who start circling in the pot and they have to be cut sometimes. Acerola cherry for example.

Roots that are pruned regularly will stay short with many sideroots.

Bangkok says...
http://www.versaillesplanters.com.au/about.html

There you go, made in OZ.

But it seems that only 1 side can be opened. Mine will be similar to this but all sides can be opened.

For a planter of this size would it be beneficial to have some airpipes throught the soil?

Markmelb says...
Linton - that Aussie one is useless to us with only one side opening - only good for cafes or Toorak Mansions etc.

Making them commercially could be good business idea?

I reckon could be made with wooden bollards and picket timber sides for under $200 for a basic wooden corner 300lt size with all sides removeable. designing a locking strap with pin system would be hardest bit?
The french wood ones go for 6 hundred to 9 thousand or more for cast iron.
Heres a good link that shows how they cast posts with hinges in foundry and the side view of their planting method if you scroll down.
http://www.ajfdesign.com/planters.html#ordering

sternus1 says...
These would be incredibly easy to make. I would make them from recycled plastic sleepers--won't rot, and are easy to cut to size with a dropsaw/jigsaw.

look forward to your design B, you've got me thinking I might make a couple now.

Bangkok says...

fibreglassmat costs like 5-6 euro a square meter, the epoxy also isn't very expensive.
I've seen big (like 80 litre) pots made of fibreglass in the shops but they still cost like 120 au$.

I saw those long gatehinges of stainless steal in Holland, 75 au$ for 1 set. I need 2 sets for each door. So i will make my own hinges from ironwood i think. That's much harder/stronger then teak and lasts perfect outdoors.

There are antique cast iron planters in Europe who have been outdoors for a century or so. The paint came off many times but they still exist.
Cast iron is also heavy though so aluminium will be better i guess.

It is strange that those perfect pots for bigger tree's are hardly for sale.

I like growing tree's in pots because everything stays under control. Tree's don't grow too large so i can grow more different tree's.

Markmelb says...
What do you think of say 3mm × 60mm strap just going in a wood or metal slot at top & bottom of each door? Could be tapped up & out with a hammer (pins could seize if grease was forgotten) Was thinking of 2 x 8mm pins at base of door fitting into bottom of sides but could compromise its support strength? To obviate a bottom strap - also depends on side material too - i dont like idea of using heavy tiles.

Bangkok says...
For me the look is also very important but it would be easy to make a normal plastic planter splitable. Just cut it in halves and connect it with a piece of wood and screws. That will sure work but i want to get rid of ugly pots as well.

Yes polyester and plastic can't stand sunshine for longtime. I thought of putting epoxy on a pot and then throw colored sand/stones on it so it sticks.

Stainless hinges will never rust or you got a cheap quality stainless steel. It even can stand dishwashingmachines which is the hardest test for stainless.

I made great designs in Sketchup but don't know how to post the pics here. MY planters don't have any hinges, maybe i even make them without any metal screws as well. Just hardwood and glue everything.
My doors can be taken out, the whole panel. Since i 'll use granite the doors would be very heavy anyway.

But a very cheap openable planter would be a sheet of roofing material for carports (polycarbonate or so) and make a box of that. In the corners use some wood to screw in and that will work. For a backyard would even look good i guess.

carbonfibre is expensive but i never used it. Pvc drainpipe is also a good material for outdoor and can be made into a box frame.

There is also good quality plasticwood composit material for fences.That would be the best i guess but it costs almost the same as real hardwood.

The IKEA sells wooden boxes of acacia and they are not that expensive. They look great and also have a lid. I use one for laundry but maybe will change it into a planter.

Bangkok says...
I think if you show the pictures to a good steelworker that he can easy copy them.

Also aluminium parts for this planter can be easy bought in (online) shops.
The coating has to be from high quality.

I saw great teakwood planters, square box style from Indonesia. They cost between 70-150 euro in Holland.
They don't have sidedoors that can open but if you just cut the box on a circular saw and screw it together with stainless screws you also have an openable planter.

The ones i see on internet have painted (or coated) teakwood doors. I didn't know it was possible to paint or coat teakwood, it is oily wood so i wonder how long that coating lasts.