Dwarf trees evolved from the “artistic pot plants” of China, eventually becoming the bonsai of Japan. Their containers also underwent considerable change; the most obvious being the change from the ornate, decorated pots of China to the more subdued pots of Japan. Pots also became smaller, to accommodate smaller plants. Today pots made in Japan set the standard as the finest bonsai containers in the world.
Bonsai beginners are naturally attracted to pot collecting, since a variety of sizes and shapes ensures having the proper pot when it is needed. Choose a pot with a size and shape that harmonize with the tree you are raising.
A terra-cotta pot, unglazed and brown in color, complements many trees. This type of pot most resembles the earth, and the color does not detract from the tree. The unglazed pot also has the advantage of not cracking in temperatures below freezing when trees are in winter storage. Glazed pots, if frozen, may crack, or the glaze may separate from the clay.
Trees that require winter storage must be removed from glazed pots. Remove the tree with the root system intact, and wrap the root ball in aluminum foil. Make a few drainage holes in the bottom of the foil so the water will drain out. The tree can then be stored.
Colored glazed pots should be used selectively to enhance the color of the foliage of plants. One popular color for glazed pots is cobalt blue.
Most styles of trees look natural when planted in rectangular or oval containers. Bonsai containers are usually shallow, as shallowness enhances the tree’s trunk. Slender trunks look stronger in shallow pots. Heavy trunks require deeper pots. A two-inch-diameter trunk often needs a pot two inches deep to bring out the best of the trunk. However, a trunk with a diameter of one-half inch will not look right in a pot one-half inch deep, especially if the plant is tall and slender. View oversize containers with caution. In most cases they hold too much soil for the root system of trees.
When looking at bonsai containers, be sure to choose one with adequate drainage holes. Never plant anything in a container without drainage holes.
Selecting the right pot for a bonsai tree requires experience, study and a variety of pots to choose from. With regard to price, remember that harmony between tree and container is your goal, and that the plant will live in the chosen container for many years.
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| Bonsai Container |
Bonsai beginners are naturally attracted to pot collecting, since a variety of sizes and shapes ensures having the proper pot when it is needed. Choose a pot with a size and shape that harmonize with the tree you are raising.
Glazed or Unglazed Pots
A terra-cotta pot, unglazed and brown in color, complements many trees. This type of pot most resembles the earth, and the color does not detract from the tree. The unglazed pot also has the advantage of not cracking in temperatures below freezing when trees are in winter storage. Glazed pots, if frozen, may crack, or the glaze may separate from the clay.
Trees that require winter storage must be removed from glazed pots. Remove the tree with the root system intact, and wrap the root ball in aluminum foil. Make a few drainage holes in the bottom of the foil so the water will drain out. The tree can then be stored.
Colored glazed pots should be used selectively to enhance the color of the foliage of plants. One popular color for glazed pots is cobalt blue.
SHAPE OF THE BONSAI POTS
Most styles of trees look natural when planted in rectangular or oval containers. Bonsai containers are usually shallow, as shallowness enhances the tree’s trunk. Slender trunks look stronger in shallow pots. Heavy trunks require deeper pots. A two-inch-diameter trunk often needs a pot two inches deep to bring out the best of the trunk. However, a trunk with a diameter of one-half inch will not look right in a pot one-half inch deep, especially if the plant is tall and slender. View oversize containers with caution. In most cases they hold too much soil for the root system of trees.
When looking at bonsai containers, be sure to choose one with adequate drainage holes. Never plant anything in a container without drainage holes.
Selecting the right pot for a bonsai tree requires experience, study and a variety of pots to choose from. With regard to price, remember that harmony between tree and container is your goal, and that the plant will live in the chosen container for many years.
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| Oval-Mica Pots |
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| Rectangular Bonsai Pots |
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