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bonsaiTALK Journeyman
Join Date: Nov-2003
Location: Salem MA
Country: USA
Posts: 42
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One of the most important considerations of a training pot is the shape. Remember you are training the roots as well as the branches.
I use plastic terracotta colored bowls - the kind that garden centers use for pre-planted hanging baskets. It's easy to drill a few half-inch drainage holes and the lipped rim is handy for tie-downs. The wide surface area means that fertilizer favors surface roots and watering is easy, while the bowl shape ensures all excess water is channeled straight to the drainage holes.
Japanese growers use similar shaped containers, but ceramic, naturally!
Now's a good time to shop around for these while demand is low and they're cheap. If you wait until spring to buy them, the price will skyrocket! Bowls that I spent $16 each for last May are now priced at $3.50.
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