How To Make Your Own Cement Bonsai Pot! From Scratch! Start To Finish! 

Thank you for advice iv tried doing that I believe I need to make some smooth metal tools even then a smoother finish would be achievable with a fine sand. It’s much like old skool plastering scaled down base coat top coat I guess. Playing with sand and cement mortars I have a little advantage in as I repot heritage buildings limes beautiful on the trowel unfortunately to weak for pots!

Thank you! Very enlightening to get a audio complement it’s something I rarely get right. Im better at making things than tech :D hoping to do a lot more pot making when the weather warms. Again really appreciate your kind feedback

Thank you Kevin! Design to finish could take best part of a day first one you ever made say, but once you know what you doing and got moulds and guides made you could make one in just over an hour I guess! Even quicker if the cement kicks enough between building out

Thank you Elly! Really pleased myself with how these turned out very surprising for sand and cement :D The designs were made up on the morning and off the bat if you like but have an authentic look about them! Definitely a change of sands and some bent up aluminium guides should make for a smoother finish were needed! I got a really novelty but ambitious little cement sculpture to show at some point 🤣 if you and Liam want to make a pot at some point give me a shout!

Thank you! Definitely have ago it’s pretty fun. Sealer was Everbuild Patio sealer, basically outdoor PVA or sorts. I used what I had you may find something better or paints!

I’m glad this has served purpose to a fellow cement pot creator. Yes theres certainly a lot ridding on the sand being firm enough and the right amount of moisture!

Thank you! Very much enjoyed making these!

Hi Alex Iv not had such a problem with cold but I do tend to put my trees in a cold greenhouse over winter. With this year being an exception so we will see what happens. I have had an issue on thin delicate pots cracking under extreme summer heats. I reinforce my pots with mesh so little cracks don’t cause a problem initial but it’s definitely sole destroying when you created a one off, off the bat! These are a cheap craft ideas which I’m still refining myself. Thicker pots hold up lovely hot or cold! If I had the space and the funds I’d love to get a pottery kiln and do things properly :D

Thank you! There very relaxing to make also!

Thank you Richard I’m very please although they still can be refined! I used a plasterers jointing tape as it’s what I had and seems to have work well. For bigger pots I’d look to add stainless steel mess or wires.

@@nillysbonsai9636 Thanks. Knew I’d seen it somewhere before!

Thank you! Give it ago if you like mortar you’ll enjoy it! I do Heritage Brickwork, pointing ect aswell as gardening so no stranger to muck!although the ratio 2:1 for cement is mega rich only for pots I must say!

@@nillysbonsai9636 So are you going to do the 7 question challenge and help us all to get to know you even better???

Thank you very kind, the texture is achieved with a sponge.

Thank you! 🌱😊

Don’t be put off Go for it! They don’t have to be uniform, square or perfect! Cheap to have a play with. I’m going to do a simpler free hand version keep an eye out for the video maybe something to have a go at! 🌱😊

Thank you 😊

Thank you! If you can butter bread You can make this! 😆

Thank you, The sand was ordinary building sand on the damp side so it sticks together. When it drys out naturally after being wet it does tend to go fairly solid and being surrounded by wet cement probably draws a little in. You can wet the sand up after if it sets like these have I wanted to seal them so didn’t!

I would add I was away for a few days and late emptying these! Doesn’t need to be a desert in there :D

Thank you, Good question but easily remedied with spare tile and a ruler. I demonstrate this in my hexagonal pot video link in pinned comment above 😊

Thank you very kind! Have a go for sure takes a little while to get your hand in but it’s fun and rewarding 😊

@@nillysbonsai9636 I imagine it's like every skill, five pots falling apart later and I'll end up with something functional lol.

Thank you so much 😀

Thank you Jason!

Thank you Tom! Very kind Sir!

@@nillysbonsai9636 Just call me Tom. Sir, to formal. Stay safe and enjoy a relaxing day.

This Is amazing feed back! And your the second person to notice such qualities in this video! Il try to keep my pot making videos in this style so others can enjoy the additional benefits to a ‘How to video’

Feel free to dump this into any relevant playlists that my help other like minded people find a genuine clip 🌱😊

Thanks criticism leads to improvement. Keep any eye out for a new pot start to finish!

Thank you! 😊 give it a go it’s fun doesn’t have to come out perfect!

Hi thanks for the kind feedback! The sand I used for these pots was just ordinary soft building sand you may find something better. This particular soft sand was fairly silty with a lot of fines so stuck together well for the former especially. The pot itself I used the same sand sieved 2:1 sand/cement iv also tried 1:1. This summer iv discovered the thinner the pots are the more likely the suns heats likely to crack them! Hope this helps 🌱

Well in reality iron is stronger and would give great rigidity but there’s 2 problems… 1) expansion hot summers, I found so far the thinner pots suffer from this with even plastic mesh (refining to be done) 2) Corrosion, if the expansion from heat doesn’t get the pot. Expansion from rust jacking will unless you use stainless but temperature might still cause problems Copper is fairly inert around cement so maybe an option in thicker pots but may still expand with summer heats! Hope that helps!

Thank you! I think it’s vital to add abit of strength to what’s not much more than a rich mortar mix. I’ve also started using copper wire in larger pots, as from what I can make of it it seems inert around cement!

@@nillysbonsai9636 Nice design, you're using what's called in America Portland Cement. I'll have to work something out for this spring.

Everyone loves that little pot it seems . It was made out of waste mortar left after making larger one quickly at the end of the day it’s simply the point of the trowel which was used to create texture 🙂

Hi Rodney, just Soft building Sand I found a really sticky one with plenty of fines you wants to have texture like brown sugar (in my experience but no expert) Hope that helps

Hi laldan, Not sure that would work as the sand provides an element of suction keeping the cement in place and not slumping. The non absorbent plastic surface would not have the same effect unfortunately.

Thank you very kind 😊

No these have not been fire nor could you fire these. The process has been done in reverse if you like. The lime and clay were fired in a kiln to make cement them a chemical set takes place when the Cement is mixed with water :D

Hey, these are just a cheap alternative for arty people wanting to have a go and make there own one offs or maybe cannot afford a pot of a gives size right now. Not taking from the quality of a real clay pot and if i had a kiln I’d be making them for sure. In regards to PH/ make up of pot. Cement is fired lime and clay. Once made into a mortar a chemical reaction takes place and when cured off there’s no free lime so no harm to plants either end of the PH spectrum. Iv got maples, pines, larch and carnivorous plants (pitch, Venus fly trap) grow in a cement bowl and there supper sensitive plants. All happy 😊 Thank you for your comment I hope my explanation makes sense 🌱

@@nillysbonsai9636 Thanks for the explanations

I’m struggling more with summer heat and thin delicate cement pots like to crack. I cure them slowly and seal them once cured and dried out unless cracked or seriously damaged I don’t see an issue. Their cheap and fun to make I guess time will tell. 🌱

I repaired a badly broken pot with quick drying cement , it surprised me it lasted for years through all weathers.i found it so easy to work with too😊

Hey David, iv made them out of what ever I can find suitable laying about. Iv used thick plastic ice creams tub, acrylic save from shops screens and plumbing pvc pipe, guttering flatten out with heat. I’m looking to make some metal guides for smoother finishes. I have a video making a hexagonal pot there a good demonstration of making guides in that video. Hope this helps you

Hey, that little pot was a separate waste material pot thrown together at the end of the day the construction is not in the video sorry. However it was simply done using the point of the trowel repetitively and then painted!

Thank you 🌱

I just used a fine sieved building sand (comparable to British building standards) iv experimented with different sands as they come by me. I do a lot of work repointing old buildings.

Thank you for your Tips. Iv been going my own way with textures and finishes. But I do need to make some better irons as it were as I have tried neat cement early on but tools let me down. I repoint a lot of heritage buildings it’s a real shame Limes not of the strength as work ability if way better that it’s higher fired cousin! Another question, do you work to a minimum thickness. The sun appears to have crack some of my more delicate pots. They were cured slowly no issues that end. Thanks Sam

Thank you! Cheers!😊

Hi Ben, thanks for comment! You certainly want to avoid the mesh or any supports you put in your pots as could damage the internal walls when making the holes. I place mesh as close as possible to drainage placement to aid strength. Logically placing tape is key but a ruler and tape markers on the tile your working on can help! The Pipe or choosen tool for making holes wants to go thru to the sand for a clean job before the cement cures off. Hope this helps 😊

Thanks 😊

I’m Using Just an ordinary Soft Building Sand iv found a really fine one almost silty and sticks together nicely just damp.

Hi there, I did not add anything to sand just found a decent soft/building sand with plenty of fines. It’s sticks together well damp and as it’s starts to dry become quite firm.

Maybe 🤔 it sure doesn’t taste as good 😌

Thank you so much 😀

Your welcome. I like that style you describe. Iv made a few like that. I did a video experimenting with a cool texture maybe something you’ll enjoy! Iv recently got some dye just Havant had the time to make pots unfortunately although the urge is there! Thanks for the comment :)

Thank you Gaye! Very humbled! 😊🌱

I have tried both more so for colour not sure have it’s affected strength 1:2 cement to sand should be a little stronger with a well graded arrogate if you going to a texture designed as the grains will lock together better. To finer sand will make it brittle. You can try finish with just neat cement for a top coat and smoother finish!

Iv just used sieved soft/building sand for these pots. Im experimenting with various sands as I come by them from jobs ect 🌱

Thank you! 😊

🌱🌱🌱🌱

Thank you very much!

I must admit i lost footage of one pot and had to pick up on another! I will make a new basic pot start to finish going into more detail soon! Thanks for feedback and watching 🌱

Thank you! That’s the dream I need space! Hopefully il get there one day!

Thanks 😊

Thank you 🌱

Cheers! 😊

Thank you! 😊

Thank you! Unfortunately this was the first pot video I’ve made my channels only coming up to a year old prior lots of missed video opportunities of cool projects but ….. Hopefully lots more to come I’ve been cutting moulds and guides this weekend. Keep an eye out 😊

Thank you! 😊

Left over from my work I have a patio sealer seems much like and exterior pva. Thicker More rustic pot styles I just leave exposed they weather nicely! You may find something better I’m using what I have.

@@nillysbonsai9636 good job my friend 👍👍

Wow, thank you!! I’m in the process of preparing a few more of these keep an eye out! 😊

Thank you! 🙏

Thank you! 😊

That’s great to hear! Thank you 🙏

Thank you!! Kind comment 😊

Thank you! Maybe with spray paints and clear coats (which I’m intending to experiment with this summer) but you couldn’t put one kiln say and fire it unfortunately!!

I wonder that too, maybe resin ?

@@3self For larger plant pots I've been thinking pond liner, but yeah a glaze or coating of some kind would sure be nice. I never considered resin, need to look into that too.

Thank you very much! I seal mine with various things I have laying about still experimenting! Paints and varnish’s/ sealers the only way you can’t glaze with heat!

I appreciate we’re all different, I personal learn with me Eyes and Hands Firstly on practical things. The feed back iv had on this non verbal video has been rather positive and a lot of people enjoy the relaxing vibe. I think I will however attempt a voiced in structural video as it would serve good purpose filling in the details maybe 😊

@@nillysbonsai9636 I watched again almost a year later, & appreciated your video even more. Great job. Thanks. I really appreciate it. Have a blessed day.

Thank you, Yes good point! On this occasion I went away for a few days and sand dried I normally empty them day or so after while still wet. I wanted to seal these the same day so didn’t want to introduce water at this point 😊

Thank you! 😊

🌱🌱🌱🌱

Many many thanks 😊

Thank you 😊

Thank you! 😊

Hi, I Dry and sieve the sand.

To make this pot I used Sieved Soft/Building (Uk regs) :D Im trying fines from other sands now only to adjust colours!

Thank You 🙏

Thank you 😊

@@nillysbonsai9636 okey

Thank you 🙏

Thank you! 🌱

Thank you!

Thank you! 😊

Thank you!

Thank you 😊

Thank you! Cheers!

Thank you!

Hey, Can you elaborate on that? 😊

Thank you ☺️