Pot size

AndrewFaulding

Is there a rule to how big a pot a tree should be kept in? Should the root ball be a certain proportion of the foliage or something? Should it be full of roots or have a bit of space?

Thanks,

Andy

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Aaron_K

Hi Andrew,


There are a few factors to consider when choosing a pot for a tree to reside in. Firstly you need to ask yourself "Is my tree finished?". By that I mean, have you achieved what you have set out to accomplish with the design of a tree.

If the answer is "No", and the tree would benefit from a few more years to help thicken the trunk, branches, nebari (exposed roots), you need to place it in as big a container as possible or even in the ground. This will allow for maximum root growth and aid the trees development in those areas mentioned above.

If your tree is a "finished" tree and is now at a stage to be show, you should chose a pot that suits the bonsai, in terms of colouration, shape and detail. Usually the pot is a few inches less than the width of the spread of the tree, and quite often the shallower the pot, the more pleasing the overall composition looks.

At the end of the day, it is all down to individual preferences. Some prefer glazed pots, others unglazed. My advice would be to look at as many pictures of specimen trees as possible, and compare the pots to the trees. Also reading some good books on bonsai will cover this subject in much greater detail. Ebay is by far the best source for books on bonsai, as you can pick up a lot of good literature at a fraction of the RRP.

Hope that helps. All the best,

Aaron

Deflation

Does a bigger pot help make the bonsai grow taller? Im hoping to get my Juniper a little taller before I do some things with it. Is it to late to repot?

Aaron_K

Hi Deflation,

A bigger pot will allow a tree to grow taller, fatter and develop more branches. The more space the tree has to spread its roots to take up nutrients, the faster this process will happen. Obviously there is a limit to how much a tree will grow in any given year, which varies according to the species.

For the best results, it is recommended that you put a tree in the ground for a few years, as this is the quickest way to achieve a better developed trunk.

All the best,

Aaron

AndrewFaulding

if a tree is left in the ground and isn't dwarfed... What do you do when you want a bonsai from it? When put in a training pot afterwards, does it need to be left a year or two before it can be trained

Andy

AndrewFaulding

if a tree is left in the ground and isn't dwarfed... What do you do when you want a bonsai from it? i.e. how to dwarf it. When put in a training pot afterwards, does it need to be left a year or two before it can be trained

Andy

Aaron_K

Hi Andy,

Basically, when you have a young tree or one you want to develop into a bonsai, you first concentrate on the trunk. This is probably the most important factor, as its going to essentially dictate the shape and style of the tree to a large degree.

Putting the tree in the ground will make the trunk grow thicker faster. Once a good size (girth) is attained, you then perform a trunk chop. This is the removal of the old apex of the tree. A new leader is then selected. This can either be a side branch that is positioned upwards or you can wait for a new leader to appear from the chopping point.

After you have done this, you can then look towards laying out the basic styling of the tree. This is basically how virtually all bonsai are created. Larger trees are cut down to 18 inches, some even to stumps. The way to look at is that you must "construct" the tree in stages. First comes the trunk. Then come the main branches and nebari (exposed roots). Then comes the ramification of the branches to produce fine twigs etc etc.

The best thing you can do is pick up a couple of books, as they will advance your knowledge much quicker and in greater detail.

All the best,

Aaron

Deflation

will any pot do or should i get a special bonsai pot? At this point im not as worried about the look as just getting my tree some size.

Aaron_K

Hi Deflation,

Basically if you are going to grow a tree in a container with the aim of thickening the trunk, you want the biggest container you can get (or at least one that's its going to take a few years for the roots to fill). So long as its got good drainage, it doesn't matter what it looks like.

Vance Wood makes some very nice training pots that look very nice, are well constructed and have horticultural benefits to the trees as they have mesh sides - thereby allowing for increased aeration of the roots.

They are also very reasonably priced. Unfortunately I live in the UK, but if I was the other side of the pond, I'd place an order on him for a few. Try sending Vance a private message, as I'm sure he'd be happy to give you a quote on them.

Also read this thread - Training Pots 101 as it contains some good information on exactly this subject.

All the best,

Aaron