Choosing The Right Pot For Your Bonsai By Erin Bonsai

The literal meaning of bonsai is ‘plant in a tray’. While the tree itself contributes to one half of the composition, the pot completes the overall image. The ‘bonsai’ in it’s literal sense is judged by the visual impact of both the tree and the pot.
Unfortunately, choosing and locating the correct, or the best, pot to plant your tree into is not easy. While a well-chosen pot will enhance a bonsai and strengthen a design, a poorly chosen or unsuitable design can actually lessen the impact of the tree. Ultimately, until the ‘right’ pot is found, the tree will never reach it’s full potential as a bonsai.

A pot can be expensive investment for your bonsai; buying an unsuitable pot for your tree can mean having to find a more suitable pot in the future. Finding the right pot, first time, is not only satisfying but saves money and helps avoid ending up with a pile of pots that don’t quite seem to suit any of your trees!

This article is written to help the enthusiast understand how to go about choosing the correct pot for their tree. My express thanks go to Vic Harris of Erin Bonsai for his help in writing this guide and for providing images of some his pots to illustrate this article.

Choosing the right pot for your tree

 

Choosing the best pot for a particular tree is not easy. As well as the more mundane factory-made Chinese and Korean pots there are a number of bonsai potters and potteries throughout the world that are able to offer individual and diverse pot designs and glazes to the enthusiast. There are so many available colours, sizes and designs that it can become very difficult to identify exactly which one(s) are best for your tree.
Pot choice is also subjective, ultimately some of the final decision will be made according to your own personal tastes. Some enthusiasts prefer more conservative pot shapes, textures and glazes, other enthusiasts prefer to make more unusual ‘individual’ choices.
In an effort to help choose the correct ‘type’ of pot for your tree I have asked Vic Harris to help me draw up some basic guidelines when choosing a new pot for your tree.
To arrive at a good decision, it is useful to break down the choices into 4 parts. Pot dimension, pot shape, pot colour and Texture

Choice 1: Pot Dimensions

 

The first thing to consider is the size of the pot that you will need. The correct pot dimensions can be achieved using some basic rules according to the dimensions of the tree itself.

The general rule of thumb is that the pots depth should be equal to the diameter of the trunk just above soil level.
For oval or rectangular pots, the length of the pot should be 2/3 the height of the tree.
For round pots, the diameter of the pot should be 1/3 the height of the tree.
For trees with especially wide canopies a wider pot can be necessary and this can be compensated by using a slightly shallower pot.
As equally, a tree with a very thick trunk (in comparison with the height of the tree) may suit a slightly deeper but narrower pot.

 

It should be remembered that these guidelines are based on aesthetics only. For horticultural reasons, some tree species require larger or smaller pots. Species with very fast growing roots such as Trident Maples often require deeper pots whilst flowering and fruiting species such as Crab Apples require more root run and therefore deeper pots.

Choice 2: Pot Shape

 

The style of pot that you choose will need to harmonise with the tree.
You need to take a look at your tree and evaluate it’s characteristics. Try to decide whether your tree is masculine or feminine. Many trees are a combination of both although usually one is dominant than the other. This is very subjective; for some people a tree may be masculine, for others, it might be feminine. Ultimately as the owner of the tree it is for you to decide. It should be noted though that a firmly masculine tree will never look right in a very feminine oval pot; in turn a feminine tree will always look awkward in a masculine pot.

What makes a tree feminine or masculine?

A masculine tree gives an impression of strength, it might have a heavily tapered trunk, have craggy, mature bark, strong angular branching, it may have deadwood. It may have a straight, powerful trunk or a dense canopy.
A feminine tree will have a more delicate appearance, a smooth trunkline, smooth bark, sinuous movement in it’s trunk and branches. A light canopy and slow taper.
Some tree species are predisposed to being considered feminine or masculine; Pines or angular Hawthorns are often considered masculine whereas delicate Japanese Maples will be considered as naturally feminine.
However, a strong, heavily tapered Japanese Maple with delicate leaves and branching could be considered to be a feminine species with masculine features, whilst a tall Hawthorn with craggy, rough bark, gentle curves and very gradual taper could be considered a masculine species with a feminine characteristics. With trees such as these it is necessary to identify which is the strongest feature and reflect it. Is it the craggy, fissured bark of the hawthorn or the gentle curves of the trunk that have the strongest visual impact? Is it the delicate branching of the Maple or the powerful tapered trunk that attracts your eye most?
Fortunately, it is possible to find pot designs that can reflect both femininity and masculinity.

Pots are considered feminine or masculine. Deep pots with strong angular features are considered masculine whilst more feminine pots are shallower with softer lines.
For instance, strong chunky, deep rectangles with sharp corners are very masculine pots, as are square pots. These are suited to thick heavy trunked masculine trees, especially conifers.
For thick-trunked deciduous trees, the corners of the rectangle can be rounded thus reducing the masculinity of the pot a little.
Working down through the scale of masculinity, deep chunky ovals come next and then we have drums/round pots that are androgynous i.e are suitable for a masculine or feminine tree.
After this we move into the feminine pots which are shallow delicate ovals and very shallow round literati pots.

 

Pot Shape Basic Guidelines

Rectangular pots are suitable for coniferous species and big deciduous trees with very pronounced taper, wide base, heavy buttressed nebari. These are used for masculine trees to add a feeling of strength in the tree

Oval pots Suitable for reflecting the femininity of deciduous trees, clump style bonsai, groves and forests. The less taper the tree has the more feminine it tends to become, sinuous curves can also dampen the masculinity of a tree.

Round. Suitable for coniferous or deciduous feminine trees, particularly (but not exclusively) for literati/bunjin trees. Tall straight or sinuously curved trees with very little taper are the most feminine and the pots that tend to suit these trees are very shallow rounds.

Pot Lip or Rim

A lip on the upper rim gives additional strength to a masculine tree.
A straight rim is softer for more androgynous trees
A bowl/convex side is more suited to feminine trees

Pot Corners

Sharp, right-angled corners are masculine and suitable for masculine trees
Indented corners on a rectangular pot soften the masculinity of a pot.
Rounded corners softens the pot further, beginning to resemble a oval pot and more suitable for masculine deciduous trees

Feet of pot

The main purpose of feet on a bonsai pot is to allow for good drainage and airflow, but feet can also be used to change the pots appearance.
Feet can be subtle and decorative or strong and robust.
These qualities can be used to influence the over all feel of the pot, big chunky feet can add strength to the design and understated delicate feet will have the opposite effect.

Choice 3: Pot Colour

 

Once you have decided on the shape of the pot, next you need to think of the colour and texture.
Every tree is unique, although it is possible to generalise about a particular species, each individual tree will have something to pick up on as no two trees are exactly the same and there are always small variations that can be brought out in the pot colour and texture.

The colour of the pot can be used to pick up on a feature of the tree and therefore helps the tree and pot colour ‘work’ well together. The colour in the tree that is complimented can be that of the bark, for instance an unglazed red/brown pot picking up the bark of a Juniper. It can compliment the colour of the leaves through the summer or the autumn colour. On fruiting or flowering trees, the colour of the pot can be used to compliment the colour of the flowers or the berries.

 Pot Examples

Examples of pot colour combination with bonsai by Harry Harrington

This is a very basic guide designed to be a starting point or general guide to colours that can be suitable for any given tree and of course the final choice can be altered to suit the individual characteristics of any given tree.

 

Light browns/Oatmeals-
Acer, Elm, Beech, Oak, Larch, Hawthorn, Ash ,gingko

Off whites/Grey’s-
Hawthorn,Oak,Acer,Ash

Light greens
Acer, ash ,beech

Dark greens
Acer, Azaleas, Chinese elm, cotoneaster

Medium Browns-
Elm,Birch ,Mountain Ash, Acer

Dark Browns/Red Browns/Unglazed Reds/Browns
Pine,Juniper,Cotoneaster,Larch and other conifers,Azaleas

Light blue
Azaleas, Malus and other flowering species

Matt Blues-
Acer,Juniper,Pine,Azaleas

Matt Blue/Greens-
Pine,Junipers,Acer, Azaleas (this combination will also suit just about any tree as they are the colours that you see most trees framed by when in their natural state )

Choice 4: Pot Texture

 

Textures in a pot are again used to compliment a tree. Smooth clay finishes are suitable for more feminine trees whereas heavily textured pots bring out the masculinity and wildness in a tree.

Texture Examples Basic Guide to Tree/ Pot colour combinations

Conclusion

 As can be seen in this article, choosing the correct pot is not simple but it can be learnt. Ultimately, a combination of personal tastes, knowledge and experience makes the process much easier.
When buying pots for your bonsai try to make sure you know the pot measurements needed for a tree. It is no good buying a suitable pot only to find it is too big or small for your tree.
Have a good idea of the shape that will suit the masculinity or femininity of your tree.
Have a good idea of the colours and textures that will suit your tree.

Don’t be embarrassed to ask the advice of the bonsai nursery or the potter you are buying from, an experienced potter or bonsai nursery will always be able to give you a choice of suitable pots to choose from. However, always try to have a picture of your tree to hand as this makes the nursery or potter’s job much, much easier.

Choosing The Right Pot For Your Bonsai By Erin Bonsai Part 2

When choosing a pot for your bonsai there are many factors to be considered. The correct size ratios, shapes, colours and textures all need to be given equal attention. However here I would like to discuss some of the more abstract principles that can create a truly unique and harmonious union of bonsai and container.
I often hear the bonsai pot likened to a picture frame however I’m not sure this is the correct way to describe the relationship between a bonsai and its pot. I think that a more holistic definition would be more appropriate to describe the partnership. A picture frame is like a window to focus the viewer’s attention onto the picture. The frame surrounds the picture and remains distinct from it. A bonsai pot should be an extension of the tree and should create visual harmony. Whilst viewing a bonsai neither pot or tree should be dominant but should appear as one entity.
The first step on the road to achieving this symbiosis is to scrutinise every aspect of your bonsai. While you are doing this make some notes of features that you particularly like about the tree and also any unique features. You can refer back to this when searching for the right pot.
After this you should decide the dimensions for the pot using the formulas that I explained in the first instalment of “Choosing the right pot”. Once you have decided on the ideal dimensions of the pot you should then decide whether the tree is masculine or feminine. Again here you can use the guide lines explained in “choosing the right pot”
Once you have got this far you should know the approximate size of pot you need and have a general idea of the style i.e. rectangular, oval, round, cascade or maybe a more free form style such as a crescent shape.
Once the decisions regarding size and shape have been made, the next step is to contemplate colour and texture.
Even amongst the same species you will find that every tree is unique, although it is possible to generalise about a particular species, each individual tree will have slight variations in colour or texture in bark or leaves and these slight differences can be emphasised by finding a pot that picks up on these variations. This will not only give you a unique pot tree combination but also really bring the whole image to life.
Look for a pot that compliments the colours found in the tree. This could be the colour of the bark or perhaps the colour of the leaves through the summer or the autumn changes. On fruiting or flowering trees, the colour of the pot can be used to compliment the colour of the flowers or the berries. When trying to match the colours found in the tree it does not have to be an exact match, more often a similar colour that is either a few shades darker or lighter will work very well. Sometimes rather than looking for a close match a contrasting colour can be used to great effect.
Textures also play an important part in choosing a pot. Generally speaking the more feminine bonsai are best suited to smooth textured pots and the masculine to rougher textures. Although many trees display a combination of feminine and masculine features and in this case you can look for a pot that displays a similar combination of features. Also a very feminine species could be styled in a away that might call for a textured unglazed pot such as a crescent. Usually pots that display rough texture are unglazed but can still come in a wide range of colours depending on the clay that is used to build the pot. Unglazed pots can also be coloured with metal oxide washes and bonsai potters today have discovered many interesting ways to combine these oxides to create a wide range of colours to choose from. However interesting textures are not exclusively found in unglazed pots. Glazed pots can also display texture either on an unglazed portion of the pot or within the glaze itself. Sometimes glazes can also be applied over a rough surface of the pot creating some very unique effects. Such pots can be used with trees that show both feminine and masculine qualities.
Another aspect that should be taken into account is deadwood features. These features are becoming more and more popular and many trees styled now incorporate jins, shari and uro. These features can be complimented to great effect with areas on the pot that have been carved to simulate damage or simply to mirror the deadwood.
There is also one more factor that should be taken into account, try to envisage the circumstances in nature that would have caused a tree to grow in the way that your tree has been styled. This can really help to contribute to creating a convincing image. For example would your tree have formed naturally in harsh exposed conditions or in a gentler more sheltered environment? Really think about this and do a little research regarding the where a species is found naturally in the wild, perhaps the colours or textures of landscape from the trees natural habitat could be incorporated into the pot.
I have purposely avoided giving too many examples during this discussion, because the purpose of this article is to encourage you to look at your tree very closely and use what you see to guide you. Rather than choose a pot by using a set formula.
As with any skill, choosing a pot that achieves true harmony and breaths vibrant life in to the composition is a process that will grow and evolve over time. Choices that you make at first might not seem so right as you refine your ability. Do not be disheartened by this, as it is all part of the learning process and each attempt will serve to heighten your skills of perception. The secret is to open your eyes and really look at your tree.