bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - How Can You Tell If A Pot Is Quality?

Those are some good pointers.

Check for cracks - Turn the pot upside down and support it with a finger or two through the drainage holes and rap it with your knuckles. If it rings a bit, it is certainly sound. If it does not ring, or has a weird tone and drumming vibration, it may be cracked. If it falls apart, it probably was cracked.

Check the chop - Turn the pot upside down and inspect the pot for a depressed rectangular stamp (chop) and/or signature. Most collectable pots are the work of an artist studio and are signed. Some mass-produced molded pots are not. Stickers don't count.

Density - denser pots are more durable, fired at a higher temperature and higher quality. You have to get a feel for this, but you should be able to tell terra cotta*** from stronger pots. Another key is how readily the surface drinks up water.

Suitability - larger pots of quality frequently include smaller holes for tie down wires. This is not true of many extremely prized containers which pre-date the use of wire. Pots should have adequate drainage. Medium-size pots up to 8" should have at least two drainage holes. Larger pots should have at least five holes, and frequently a generous rectangular hole in the center.

***BTW - terra cotta isn't great for show quality containers, but it makes a great training container due to its porosity.

Regards,

Matt

7-Jun-2003	#2
TreeBay Tips:5¢ Advice:Free *MODERATOR GROUP* Join Date: Aug-2001 Location: Silicon Valley Country: USA USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 9,745	Those are some good pointers. Check for cracks - Turn the pot upside down and support it with a finger or two through the drainage holes and rap it with your knuckles. If it rings a bit, it is certainly sound. If it does not ring, or has a weird tone and drumming vibration, it may be cracked. If it falls apart, it probably was cracked. Check the chop - Turn the pot upside down and inspect the pot for a depressed rectangular stamp (chop) and/or signature. Most collectable pots are the work of an artist studio and are signed. Some mass-produced molded pots are not. Stickers don't count. Density - denser pots are more durable, fired at a higher temperature and higher quality. You have to get a feel for this, but you should be able to tell terra cotta* from stronger pots. Another key is how readily the surface drinks up water. Suitability - larger pots of quality frequently include smaller holes for tie down wires. This is not true of many extremely prized containers which pre-date the use of wire. Pots should have adequate drainage. Medium-size pots up to 8" should have at least two drainage holes. Larger pots should have at least five holes, and frequently a generous rectangular hole in the center. BTW - terra cotta isn't great for show quality containers, but it makes a great training container due to its porosity. Regards, Matt __________________ Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today!* bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!