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Step 2The Box
The size of the box is something of an estimation based on the size of your specimen. I like to think in terms of "supply and demand" when thinking of root pruning (again noting my gross inexperience). The roots are the "supply" and the branches/buds/leaves/flowers are the "demand". When you root prune you decrease the supply so the top parts need to be pruned as well. It's a good idea to do this just as the plant is coming out of dormancy (in my case in mid March). Species can vary on this point though so do some internet research on your particular plant. Also, when thinking of the box size consider the fact that about the bottom third of the pot will be filled with pea gravel in order to promote good drainage. For my plant, which was root bound in a 2.5 gallon pot, I ended up making a box
9 inches x 11 inches x 5.5 inches.
I made it this large in order to be on the conservative side due to lack of hands on experience and I'm happy with the size now that the project is complete. All bonsai don't have to fit into those tiny pots you associate with bonsai. Bonsai specialty nurseries have pots as large as 3'x1.5'x1' and larger in stock. I have also read that you don't have to be quite so careful about watering larger plants. Sounds good to me!
In terms of woodworking I did the long cut for the bottom piece with a hand saw (which turned out pretty terrible) and learned the value of a good belt sander to clean up the cut. The remainder of the cuts were done on my 10 inch miter (chop) saw. I put two 2.5 inch deck screws in between each board with six total on each side. Pilot holes help a lot with keeping the wood from splitting. For the drainage holes I used a 3/4ths inch wood bit in my drill press and cut through. In retrospect I may have put some smaller holes in the corners. Drainage is very important to bonsai and roots don't like to be drenched in water for too long a period or they can literally drown and rot. I decided not to put any kind of finish on it as I don't mind the fact that the wood absorbs water. Since then it has warped a little, but I don't mind it. I chose not to use treated lumber as I didn't want my plant exposed to the arsenic which they use. I used my belt sander to clean up all the uneven edges and smooth them out. I put on two feet as you can see in the picture in order to facilitate drainage.
9 inches x 11 inches x 5.5 inches.
I made it this large in order to be on the conservative side due to lack of hands on experience and I'm happy with the size now that the project is complete. All bonsai don't have to fit into those tiny pots you associate with bonsai. Bonsai specialty nurseries have pots as large as 3'x1.5'x1' and larger in stock. I have also read that you don't have to be quite so careful about watering larger plants. Sounds good to me!
In terms of woodworking I did the long cut for the bottom piece with a hand saw (which turned out pretty terrible) and learned the value of a good belt sander to clean up the cut. The remainder of the cuts were done on my 10 inch miter (chop) saw. I put two 2.5 inch deck screws in between each board with six total on each side. Pilot holes help a lot with keeping the wood from splitting. For the drainage holes I used a 3/4ths inch wood bit in my drill press and cut through. In retrospect I may have put some smaller holes in the corners. Drainage is very important to bonsai and roots don't like to be drenched in water for too long a period or they can literally drown and rot. I decided not to put any kind of finish on it as I don't mind the fact that the wood absorbs water. Since then it has warped a little, but I don't mind it. I chose not to use treated lumber as I didn't want my plant exposed to the arsenic which they use. I used my belt sander to clean up all the uneven edges and smooth them out. I put on two feet as you can see in the picture in order to facilitate drainage.
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