It should be equally important to select the bonsai pot for your tree as it is to care for the tree. Still, a bonsai tree represents patience, balance, and harmony; the pot it is planted in is very important to the whole tree. A good pot for bonsai not only improves the aesthetics of your bonsai but also provides acceptable room for the growth of the trees’ roots.
Before we elaborate on different aspects of pot selection, let us first discuss why a bonsai pot is important. We shall also note some practical aspects of working with pots.
Why is a Bonsai Pot Important?
More than a design component, a bonsai pot serves several functions. It is made with care as it has to contain the tree and its root system, provide moisture, and stabilize the plant.
Root Development
The pot in which the bonsai tree is placed today creates instabilities with the roots of the tree. The root system is abnormal and distorted which leads to the small growth of the bonsai tree. This condition is quite similar to how regular bonsai trees are found in rocks where a tree is growing within an environment with heavy roots sticking inside of rocks and other parts. It is best to keep a properly sized pot to keep the roots intact, which are essential for keeping the bonsai miniature in shape.
Moisture and Drainage
Ignoring the general aesthetics of the tree pot, one of the key functions that depth: diameter ratio type of pot provides to the system will control moisture within the tree’s body. In this case, drainage holes enable excess moisture to escape, preventing root deterioration – a common complication due to lack of drainage. The construction and shape of the pot also will assist in controlling the moisture.
Aesthetic Harmony
Bonsai in itself is an art, and therefore the tree is. To this end, the pot in which the tree is placed will need to be balanced, and the depth and leaf sizes will greatly affect the overall aesthetic properties of the finished piece. Additionally, an elegant pot that’s best suited for a tree will be visually pleasing to the tree itself and complete the composition overall.
Types of Bonsai Pots
Bonsai pots can vary in materials, shapes, and sizes so the type will depend on the species of tree, the location of the bonsai, and your tastes.
1. Ceramic Bonsai Pots
Ceramic pots are the most common and classic. They are strong, stylish, and can be used in several glaze and finish options. They are also suitable for long planting periods and materials that retain moisture well. Due to the heaviness of the ceramic pots, they also prevent the tree from falling over in strong winds or uneven terrain.
Pros: Appealing to the eye, strong, provides just the right amount of moisture.
Cons: Expensive, very hard to carry about.
2. Plastic Bonsai Pots
Looking for less expensive options? Consider plastic pots if you are just starting or want to grow small bonsai trees. These pots are inexpensive, very durable, and come in different styles that look like more expensive materials. Although they do not possess the visual beauty of ceramic and stone pots, they are useful when growing bonsai from early stages.
Pros: Great pricing, weight-friendly, very tough, and long-lasting.
Cons: Limited beautification potential, can age and become brittle if left in the sun.
3. Terracotta Bonsai Pots
Terracotta pots are highly known and well-suited for outdoor bonsai trees. These pots are quite breathable and allow more air in the soil. However, the wind forces these pots to dry out quickly, which means they are going to need watering much more frequently.
Pros: Breathable, has a classic touch, and works best outdoors.
Cons: Has plenty of pores, can break when it snows, and dries out very quickly.
4. Stone and Concrete Bonsai Pots
Stone and concrete pots are durable weather resistant and have that classic rugged look. Because they are so heavy, they are usually for larger outdoor bonsais. For decades these pots will remain strong giving the trees a great amount of durability.
Pros: Strong, solid, weatherproof.
Cons: Extremely heavy, expensive, very little design options.
5. Glazed vs. Unglazed Bonsai Pots
Glazed pots tend to look more shiny and modern and come in different colors. Flowering bonsais would usually go best with this type of pot as it gives the tree more appeal. However Unglazed pots, on the other hand, are much more rustic and go well with coniferous trees as they tend to look natural with the bark.
Selecting the Correct Size for Your Bonsai Pot
The size of the bonsai pot is one of the most essential things that must be put in mind. A pot that is too big will dwarf the tree whereas a pot that is too small will restrict the growth of the roots and lead to poor health of the tree.
Width of the Pot
As a guideline, it may be said that the width of a pot should be approximately two-thirds the height measurement of the tree. This ratio helps to provide a sense of proportion between the pot and the tree. For those trees with a rather wide dispersion of foliage, the width of the pot may be dished out more than what is normal.
Depth of the Pot
This relative depth of the bonsai pot cannot be overstated. The pot as much as possible should be as deep as the diameter at the base of the trunk of the tree. This permits enough allowance for root development yet at the same time allows for a neat and trim appearance.
Shape Considerations
The species of the tree and its intended style would determine the shape of the pot. Rectangular pots are predominantly used for formal upright bonsai however oval or round pots have been suggested for informal slanted or cascading styles.
Bonsai Pot Styles: Old-fashioned Vs. Contemporary
Bonsai pots come in two broad styles, the traditional pot and the modern pot.
Traditional Bonsai Pots
Most traditional bonsai pots are quite basic; they could be brown, black, or beige. Such pots serve the purpose of enhancing the natural features of the bonsai, concentrating attention more on the leaves and trunk. The Japanese culture is highly minimalistic, so the old-style bonsai pots are also catered along the same lines.
Modern Bonsai Pots
On the other hand, modern pots for the bonsai can be quite different; for example, they can have exciting colors and beautiful designs with smooth finishes. Such pots are best suited for indoor bonsai which would blend nicely with the advanced style of the house. Some designs can be more geometric and even use transparent materials to give the presentation more uniqueness.
Drainage and Soil Considerations
Arguably the most important aspect when choosing a bonsai pot would be the drainage. Due to the propensity of root rot of bonsai trees if the soil gets too wet, it is important that these bonsai pots can prevent that and have sufficient drainage holes.
Drainage Holes
As a first tip in this article and the most crucial one too, always buy pots with at least one drainage hole at the lower part of the container. Big containers may need two or more holes so that the pot achieves appropriate water drainage. If there are not enough drainage holes, then there is a chance of water stagnating at the base of the container which may end up in worse conditions for the tree due to root rot amongst other things.
Soil Type
Another important point to consider in caring for bonsai trees is the type of soil that is used in the pot. Most poses have a mixture of sand and porous rocks that will hold moisture and create good air circulation but the mixture for each tree is different and chiefly consists of parts of akadama, pumice, and lava rock.
Even when looking at the soil mix that you used, you should primarily focus on the tree that you are growing and put some more concentration when creating a specific soil mix.
How to Repot a Bonsai Tree
Depending on how nurturing or skillful you are with your Bonsai trees, the number of times a particular size of pot will fail is different for each person. On average, you should imagine a particular size of pot getting broken maybe once every couple of years depending on how big the pot is.
When to Repot
This ties into why it is important to repot your bonsai tree. Eventually, with time all bonsai trees will outgrow their current container and when a Bonsai tree does, this means it is time for a scrawny-ish throwback growth spurt because every couple of years the pot needs to be changed.
Steps to Repotting
As a general rule of thumb, Spring is a good time for tree repotting. Repotting a mature bonsai with established roots can sometimes require weeks or months to get the right timing, but most of the time, people must do this in spring.
- Under low growing conditions, late November is also a moving time that which also applies to winter
- Cut down on about a third of the roots, removing the thicker and the older ones.
- Place the tree in the new pot, making sure that the roots are evenly distributed.
- Add fresh bonsai soil to the pot, and do not forget to press down lightly to remove any trapped air during the repotting.
- Water, as usual, and keep the tree in the shade for a couple of weeks as it adjusts to a new environment.
Where to Buy Quality Bonsai Pots
There are so many trusted shops for buying bonsai pots, whether you want Japanese bonsai pots or something more modern. Some online stores such as Bonsai Boy of New York, Kaizen Bonsai, or Eastern Leaf have various collections of pots in different shapes and sizes. Local bonsai nurseries can also give good suggestions on what pots would be best along with that particular species of your tree.
Conclusion
The selection of the appropriate bonsai pot determines not only the natural look of the bonsai but also its well-being. The size, material, drainage holes, design, or any ornamentation, these functional and aesthetic components create bonsai in perfect harmony and beauty. In any case, the instructions described in this guide will help you to find a pot that will match your bonsai and its surroundings and that will allow it to flourish for many years.