The Japanese term “Bonsai” refers to “tree in a container” or “plant in a pot”. That means bonsai is not only a tree but also a proper combination of a pot and a plant. To complete the overall image of a bonsai tree pot, the tree and the pot should be in harmony together, and they should create a proper combination.
From planting the seeds to repotting the tree, choosing the best pot for a bonsai tree is extremely crucial as well as difficult. You should consider many things while choosing the best pot for bonsai. So, unfortunately, this isn’t an easy task to be done.
So we have written this article to show you the rules or guidelines that you can follow while choosing the best pot for a bonsai tree. Hopefully, this article will be able to assist you in selecting and buying the best pot for the bonsai plant. And never forget to read and research enough about the task before going to buy that thing.
However, let’s get started reading the article and figure out the things you need to know.
Bonsai Pots For a Tree
When we talk about a bonsai pot, we should also talk about the different types of pots used for the plant. Bonsai pots aren’t anything special. You can use a container picked from your kitchen as a bonsai pot if it meets different requirements to be used as a bonsai pot plant.
First of all, a bonsai pot should have enough drainage holes to remove excess water from the pot while watering the tree. Wiring holes are also very essential for an ideal bonsai pot. So make sure that your bonsai tree pot includes enough wiring holes in it.
Then try to figure out which material is used for making the bonsai pot. Because this material is responsible for creating positive or negative impacts on the health of your tree.
Bonsai pots are created from ceramic, plastics, porcelain, concrete, and something like that. But natural elements like porcelain or ceramic are healthier than other materials for the health of bonsai trees.
However, there are other things to consider before choosing a bonsai pot, such as the depth of the bonsai tree pot, the design of the pot, and the color of the bonsai pot.
How to Pick Bonsai Pots
There are different types of pots available in the market with different sizes, styles, designs, and colors. But all of them can’t be suitable for your bonsai tree pot. So it is very important to pick a suitable bonsai pot while repotting the tree.
Picking up the best pot for a bonsai tree is as crucial as the design of the tree. However, the task may not be easy for beginners in this field. A huge number of requirements are recommended to be considered before using a container as your bonsai pot.
There are three basic considerations when it comes to choosing a bonsai pot. They are the size, the style, and the gender of the tree.
Gender ( Masculine or Feminine)
This is the first and foremost thing to consider which gender your tree belongs to masculine or feminine. Though trees are usually a combination of both sexes, we should consider the dominant one.
The basic symptoms of a masculine tree are deadwood, thick trunk, mature bark, dense foliage, heavily thicker branches, etc.
On the contrary, immature bark, smooth trunk, light canopy, grace, slow taper, etc. are the most common symbols of being a feminine gender.
However, in some cases, these features can fail to figure out the actual gender of a tree. There are also some tree species like Hawthorne which are masculine but show all the feminine characteristics. Similarly, some other tree species such as the Japanese Maple should be considered as a feminine species although it has all masculine characteristics.
Bonsai Pots Size
When choosing a bonsai pot, the most important thing to consider is the size of the bonsai tree pot. Before repotting a tree, make sure that the bonsai pot you are using has an accurate dimension according to the tree. The size of the bonsai pot will depend on the tree species and the style of the tree.
The general rule for choosing the best pot for a bonsai tree is that the bonsai pot should have the same length as the trunk just above the root surface.
According to the style of the bonsai pot, you can consider the following guidelines:
- A rectangular bonsai pot or oval-shaped bonsai pot should be ⅓ of the tree’s height.
- A square or round bonsai pot should be ⅔ of the tree’s height.
For different tree species, you should consider:
- Trees with thick trunks or dense foliage need deeper bonsai pots.
- Trees with large and wide foliage prefer shallow bonsai pots.
- Fast-growing root species, like Trident Maple trees, need large bonsai pots.
- Flowering and fruit trees need deeper bonsai pots.
Bonsai Pots Design and Shape
The design and the shape of bonsai pots play a vital role in the overall perfection and beauty of trees. The design and shape of the pot you choose should be harmonious with the tree. The main fact to consider while choosing the accurate shape of a pot is to consider the gender of the tree.
You should have a look at your tree and make sure of the type of gender of your tree. Because a famine tree can never look good on a masculine pot. As an equal, a masculine tree doesn’t look better on an oval or round-shaped pot. To figure out the gender of your tree, you can follow the guidelines we discussed above.
For choosing a pot with an accurate shape, the basic guidelines are the following:
Bonsai Rectangular Pots
Rectangular pots are used for the masculine trees. Moreover, this type of pot is very suitable and very good-looking for coniferous tree species. Experts also refer to rectangular pots for old deciduous plants.
Bonsai Oval pots
Oval pots are used for planting feminine trees to reflect their femininity. Furthermore, oval pots are the most popular ones for clump-style trees to bring a vibe of forests or groves.
Bonsai Shallow Round Pots
Shallow pots are suitable for reflecting the femininity of coniferous or deciduous trees. Moreover, round pots are very suitable for fitting tall, Watering, and straight feminine bonsai trees.
So as we have already discussed the shapes of pots, now it turns to talk about various designs of bonsai pots.
So let’s jump into the next part.
Bonsai Pot with Feet
One of the best designs for bonsai pots is including different feet with it. They’re very effective because they are useful for drainage and airflow. The main purpose of having feet in a pot is to give enough strength to the pot and the tree.
Bonsai Pot lip and rim
The main purpose of fitting a lip on the upper rim of a pot is to give additional strength to the pot and the tree (mostly for masculine trees).
A straight rim is more suitable for androgynous and feminine trees.
Bonsai Pot corners
Intended corners are basically used in rectangular-shaped pots to bring a little bit of a feminine vibe into the pot.
Rounded corners are suitable for oval pots and tend to fit masculine deciduous trees.
Bonsai Pot colors
Finally, now it’s time to consider the color of the pot. This is very crucial to choose a perfect color for the pot that suits the tree. First of all, make sure that the pot color appears in the tree.
You can select the color as the color of the bark, the color of the fruits, the color of the leaves, or the color of the flowers.
However, you can choose any of the unglazed colors like gray, brown, or earth tones. Besides, blue and green colors are also very nice choices that provide much balance and refresh to the pot and overall the tree.
Where to buy bonsai pots
When you need to get a bonsai pot, you can buy it in many ways. Local bonsai nurseries, bonsai festivals, or contacting experienced bonsai potters are good ways to find quality bonsai pots. You can also order them from online e-commerce sites.
However, before buying, take the necessary measurements and photos of your tree. This will help you choose the best pot for a bonsai tree.
Final Thought
Choosing the best pot for a bonsai tree is a crucial part of growing a bonsai tree. The right bonsai pot affects the beauty, health, and harmony of your tree. Make sure you follow proper guidelines to find the best pot for a bonsai plant.
Though this is very difficult as well as crucial to choose a perfect pot for your bonsai tree, you should have the best bonsai pot in your collection before starting repotting your tree. So you can follow our guidelines on how to choose the best bonsai pot to ensure that you have the best one. So before going to the market to buy a bonsai pot check out our full contents. Moreover, you can have a conversation with experts for buying suggestions and other necessary information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best pot for a bonsai tree?
The best pot for bonsai should be made from ceramic or clay, have proper drainage holes, and match the tree’s size and style.
How to make a bonsai pot at home?
You can create a DIY bonsai pot using clay or concrete. Shape it according to your tree’s needs, add drainage holes, and let it dry before use.
Do bonsai trees need large bonsai pots?
Not necessarily. The pot size should match the tree’s growth. Some species require large bonsai pots, while others thrive in shallow bonsai pots.
Why do bonsai pots have different shapes?
The pot shapes are designed to complement the gender and style of the tree, enhancing its aesthetics and balance.
Can plastic pots be used for bonsai?
Yes, plastic pots are lightweight and durable, making them great for training bonsai trees, but ceramic pots are better for long-term use.