Training Pots 101

Vance Wood

I think the critical question is how much did he charge you for the pot?

Other than that I cannot understand how someone reported as being an expert in bonsai would foist such a concept on you that is patently false----I'll come right out and say it. However if this individual turns out to be someone I am familiar with, whose knowledge I trust, I would be very curious as to his current state of research and what is it I don't know that he has discovered?

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rowan57

Come one, who is he? other people have backed up what i have said so you can tell us now.
Regards
Rowan
(P.s. like Vance if it is someone that i know of and respect, and you can explain some of the theory behind the statement then i will happily reconsider my opinions.)

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TreeBay

Now we know that a pot will restrict growth in all directions to some degree, but maybe there is some element of truth to this? There is a tendency for the above ground parts of the tree to mirror the root system and vice-versa. If the root system is one sided the tree is often stronger on that side.

I wouldn't be ready to cast out the idea that a tree would grow upward less strongly without a taproot, at least without testing it first.

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Will_Heath

Yes a pot would restrict upward growth and sideways growth and all growth because the roots are restricted. The reseaon we first suggest the ground for growth is because the roots have no restriction. A training pot because they have a lot less restriction.

What about non-bonsai? Why do nurseries transplant from 1 gallon pot to two gallon? (Exactly)

Your "expert" is not.


Will

rowan57

Elm, do you know of the theory that backs up this statement?

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In literary and art criticism there are two criteria, the political and the artistic....

Words and actions should help to unite, and not divide, the people of our various nationalities

I often talk to myself because i am the only one who truly understands me.

Elm237

He gave me the pot for free. I am not sure that I feel comfortable about giving out his name. He has helped me out alot. I would'nt question his ability's either. Like I said he has 100's of trees. I still don't understand though. His father is a bonsai master of rock plantings and they together have had this buisness for 60 years.

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Elm237

Will_Heath

That all being said Elm and without statements to back up what sounds like a totally off the wall and incorrect claim, I personally would be very hesitant to take any advice from him seriously.

As much as his experience as you protray it sounds impressive, the extreme lack of supporting evidence leads me to no other conclusion.

Will

TreeBay

Don't you think it's possible that removal of the tap root promotes the growth of lateral branches? I think that's entirely plausible. Of course growing in a container can restrict gross growth. I am talking now about the types of growth that develop in response to different types of root pruning.

With regard to container size, it isn't "bigger is better" at every stage in a plant's development. The influence of the container on the root system can't be ignored. Absorbing heat through the container walls promotes root growth, and the compromise in the tendency of the container to build an intensive rather than extensive root system are just two examples.

I guess I don't understand the specific question, so I really can't comment further.

Regards,

Matt

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Will_Heath

Elm claimed he was told that a bonsai pot would only restrict growth in height and that thickening of the trunk would still happen in such. In other words he was told it was okay to put a seedling in a bonsai pot because the trunk with thicken anyway. Needless to say this goes against all common knowledge.

Matt, you said that the upper branches mirror the roots, I agree.

It has been my experience that restricting the roots in all directions also restricts the growth in all directions. To take this to the test, restrict the roots on one side of the tree and the foliage will be restricted on that side also. A tree that is nearly reached the stage that we call bonsai is put into a bonsai pot so that the growth will in fact be restricted.

Nurserymen "pot up" in pot sizes to give the roots more room so that the upper branches will grow out, the tree will get taller and the trunk will thicken. If the tree would continue growing with the roots restricted, why would we "pot up" at all?

Training pots allow the roots not only to grow out, creating faster and fuller growth on the upper tree but with the proper care and soil, creates feeder roots in a tightly confined area.

Any other opinions?


Will