Hi
I am in the proceess of uppoting and would like to know if somone has an idea of a material i can acquire for a cheap price that will stop soil coming out of the side drainage holes in the bottom of my pots.

I need it to be non toxic and hold itself composed for 3-5 years when i root prun.
Untill now i was using paper but am afraid of toxicity since bleach is added.

thanks

I use old pine bark but don't think it would last 3-5 years and what organic will?

Some use scoria or similar but obviously this adds weight to the pot.

You can try what bonsai enthusiasts: http://bonsaitonight.com/2012/02/24/how-to-wire-a-bonsai-pot/
They use screens to cover drainage holes.

I was going to suggest drywall tape but Ryans post #3 is as close as it gets. That's what I used to use and it worked well.

Perhaps stuff some packing material peanuts in the holes ?
With ours i just leave them open .

Broken terra cotta pots work fine for my potted plants, 1 piece per hole and you're set. Even if it completely covers the drainage hole it'll breathe and let water out.

What I call butcher paper is unbleached/dyed. Plain cardboard could work as well. But I doubt those will last years.

I've used weed blocking cloth successfully in the past.  My current preference is window screen mesh.

Coarse pine bark.

I use coco coir, the kind they line the wire hanging pots with, I put it in the bottom and around the insides of my pots.

Maybe il go to thw beach and get some sea shells.

Like others, I've used coarse pine bark and landscaping weed-block.  I've used paper coffee filters, but I don't think they'll last 5 years. 
I love Rafed's idea of using drywall tape.  I'm assuming he means the fiberglass mesh tape that is sticky on one side (this is clear if you follow the link in post 3).   Just cut as much or as little as you need from the roll. 
There is even a more heavy-duty version of that tape that is used when doing ceramic tile work.
I think I've also seen window screen mesh that come in small-width rolls, intended for patching holes in screens.  I think that has a sticky side, too.
I think that fiberglass mesh drywall tape will be my new go-to method!!!
Jim

potato sack material... it's organic.

I do not think burlap will hold up for 3 years at the bottom of a container. 

I use pieces of fly screen. ( is this the correct engl. word?)

I cut it in the same shape as the bottom of the pot.

Made of PVC i guess, so it won't rot in years. Works fine for me!



But probably not the best solution for very big pots...

Plastic canvas material you can buy at a craft store or just search ebay.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT3LkP-WNpxlfkvVtUjPNcDV-GaB0L9zBcvC-Qdzmc9g-g1GPmk

i used to use door screen material from Home Depot, but i gave up... i just fill the 1/4 then press a little to firm up the soil then fill it up as a regular potting procedure. i don't care anymore.

I'm with Martin and Aaron. Just fill it about 1/4 the way full of soil and pack it lightly. It will loose some now and then, but in reality after the initial potting and moving around I would say you will lose less than a 1/4 cup of soil per year. Especially once the roots mingle and hold it all together. The only time I loose any out of mine is when an earth worm that found a new home occasionally pushes a half teaspoon or so out one of the holes.

not only an earth warm in my case.
these ants invade my drainage holes and leave a mess.

Maybe i guess that the good thing about SIPS except enahnced growth and water conservation

Then I would go with James and Christian suggestion and use window screen.

Ball up and stuff ladies nylon thing an mah do gee's in them holes !

i just let it drain out. sooner or later, it will stop and get filled up with roots. roots will help further from washing soils out. 

Many good options posted in thread  - good luck whatever you choose if you do choose any. ; )

Coffee Filters work great, though they break down quickly. Still, you can always replace them when you pot up plants.