The rush to pot

RonMartin(deceased)

Ever notice how many people rush to buy a bonsai pot to put their tree in just as soon as they finish the initial trim on their tree.
Seems like they go to the store. Buy the tree and pot. Go home and an hour later the tree is trimmed and put into that shallow bonsai pot.
Seems a little counter productive to me. Since putting that little tree in that shallow bonsai pot slows up the growth of the tree it would follow that it would take a lot longer to completely style the tree.
And wouldn't it be better to wait till the tree is about 90% or more styled to pick the pot that would go best with that final design.
The tree does after all dictate much of the styling process. We are along for the ride so to speak.
I know that this is a generation of instant gratification but something's just can't be done instantly. Why the rush ? I don't think that the tree is going to run away. Work at its pace. You get better results that way.
My opinion at least.

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tom_termine

This is often a tricky question for me and my trees, too. I have become more "patient" with pre-bonsai stock in recent years - often working through several seasons of styling before making the leap from a stock pot to the bonsai pot.

So, besides the "final design will inform the final pot choice" consideration - what other benefits are there from remaining in a stock pot? Will the tree typically develop more quickly there vs. in a shallow bonsai pot? Other advantages? Should you repot your pre-bonsai into a larger stock pot when repotting is necessary?

Interested in some opinions and experience here...

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jjeter

I agree Ron. I have only been at this about 3 years, and the first year and a half, I was in the buy, style, put it in a pot mode. I killed many trees and a couple of good prospects along the way. I have since reformed and am putting my trees in training pots or in the ground and waiting for the "final" pot until I am close to displaying the tree. My trees are healthier, growing better, and surviving the winter better. I will have many more trees ready for display a lot sooner and better quality trees than if I was still in the buy and pot mode. I guess I moved from the instant gratification phase to a realist about bonsai. Patience is a virtue and very, very necessary in bonsai. Start of a good thread. All newbies need to read.


Jeff

bonsaikc

You are absolutely correct here, Ron. I have seen so many twigs in bonsai pots I want to puke! Once in the pot, the tree will be very slow to develop, so what you have is a twig in a pot forever.

The unfortunate thing is that this is what Americans have been taught by their so-called masters for so many years! How many demonstrations have we all seen that included frantic root pruning and potting just to make certain the club gets enough revenue from the raffle? And if you check out all the books on the subject, this seems to be the same order of events: find the nebari, tear out all the unwanted branches, wire, trim the roots, put it in a bonsai pot. If this is the only instruction bonsai hobbyists ever see, they assume that all of these things must happen at the same time.

Patience should not be confused with fear, but neither should boldness be confused with haste.

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Aaron_K

Hi Ron,

I have to agree with you on this. I think it has a lot to do with myths, misconceptions and a lack of understanding surrounding the subject. When I first got started, I did exactly what you describe above. In fact, I should imagine about 99% of all newcomers do the same. They get a tree, and of course, they put it in a bonsai pot, because that's what your supposed to do, right? lol

Its not until you read or are taught different, that you think outside the box, and come to the realization and appreciation of basic horticulture that had previously gone out the window.

Since then, I have been hooking my trees out of their pots and into ever larger containers, pots and whatever else I can find to aid in accelerating the growth of my trees. There is no substitute for good old mother earth, but a nice big pot with fast draining soil comes a close second .

So for all you newcomers out there, listen to uncle Ron... he's talking sense. You've caught him before he's hit the whiskey for today :p .

All the best,

Aaron

RonMartin(deceased)

Al
One thing I have noticed in my travels. This is not just an "American thing" It is a pretty universal thing world wide.

rockm

He may be talking sense, but this impulse is far beyond the control of sense. It is one of those things that has to be realized, I think, after a few too many dead trees. It's also the instant gratification of getting the entire composition together.

I rammed trees into pots for more than a few years. I still have the pots. They are quite nice and are waiting soberly for trees to go with them

agraham

I'm guilty

Generally speaking though, i rarely risk the health of a tree because of my impatience.I just like the trees in bonsai pots better,and for whatever reason,i take better care of them when in bonsai pots.

andy

Bonsaifreak

I can support Agraham claim. I've seen his collection and he has first quality material.

I'm new at this and slowly getting over my "buy-root prune-style-pot" phase. Having said that, how can a plastic one gallon container be better for the growth and development of a tree? If not, all trees should be asigned to bigger containers or allowed to grow in the ground.

Jorge

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