Tips on selecting appropriate pot for your Bonsai

Tips on selecting appropriate pot for your Bonsai

Off late something else is keeping me occupied and hence my contribution on this blog is limited. Nevertheless, few days back I got a chance to go through few articles on Bonsai Pot selection and thought of sharing the key points to be kept in mind when selecting a pot for bonsai.

#1 - When you look at a Bonsai Tree, it is the tree that should stand out & not the pot. If colour, shape or texture of the pot hits your eye first, something is seriously wrong. Thumb rule is when you look at the mirror, you should get to see your reflection without any distortions. If Golden frame of mirror hits your eye, than the purpose of the mirror is lost. Also remember $ 5 Bonsai & $500 Bonsai Pot does not make $505 Bonsai.

# 2 - The height of the pot should be equal to with diameter of the trunk.

# 4 - Angular pots (Rectangle, square, hexagonal design) go with Bonsai with Masculine characteristics like Sari, Jin, Dead branches, etc.

# 5 - Oval, round pots go well with Bonsai with Feminine characteristics like Flowers, soft branches, good foliage, etc.

# 6 - The depth of the pot should be slightly less than the spread of the Tree

# 7 - The length of the Pot should not be more than 2/3 of the tree size

# 8 - For cascade style - select appropriate pots, it should not be plated in oval or trays

# 9 - For Literati style, go for oval or round pots

# 10 - For forest style, go for rectangular trays with low height such that user can go into the landscape & see the plantations

# 11 - Go for unglazed pot for evergreen trees like pines, etc.

# 12 - Go for glazed pots for flowering, deciduous trees and pot can be of contracting colour to enhance the look of the bonsai during spring & autumn

# 13 - for mame bonsai, go for bright colour pots

# 14 - The base of the pot should be smaller than top of the top to give lighter effect

# 15 - Pots should have enough holes

remember, there is only one rule for training pots - bigger the better. The above rules are applicable only in case of a Trained bonsai, ready for display.

I will love to add more points, so please feel free to contribute.

Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club

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