|
| I have very little knowledge of bonsai so bear with me. Nearly every bonsai specimen I see is planted in a very shallow dish. Most look less than 1.5 inches deep. I've noticed some are in pretty deep pots, namely the ones that cascade down. Could someone explain why the trees require (i assume) such small pots and why some (the cascading ones) require deeper pots. Also, how often do you water?
M |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| M It's not about requirements so much as aesthetics. Pots are chosen for their proportion and coloration, finish, feet, etc. Cascade pots generally are deeper for the balance they provide, although pots as tall as they are wide are more in favor now than the very tall ones. As to shallow pots, while we don't always use the smallest pot available, that is the direction we go. Depending on the size of the tree and the thickness of the trunk (not to mention the horticultural needs of the tree!), we choose what we believe is an appropriate pot. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Bonsai Sashi-no-Eda
|
| The shallow pots are not only to restrain growth of mature bonsai that have been ''finished' in terms of styling (though continue to grow and need maintenance trimming), but because they are simply showcasing the trees, presenting them as if on a tray, rather than being the heavier e.g. terra cotta 'flowerpot' supporting different types of 'full size' plants. The cascading trees are in taller and wider pots to balance the weight of the cascading branches as much as for esthetic reasons. |
|
| Excuse me, lucy, but didn't you just say exactly the same thing bonsaikc did? Why don' you add something new? |
|
- Posted by brendan_of_bonsai 6 CO (My Page) on Thu, Nov 29, 07 at 18:15
| Lucy intoned that the initial assertions of the OP where part of the story, that looks like something new FWIS. |
|
- Posted by gregb_2007 (My Page) on Tue, Dec 4, 07 at 22:57
| I might add this: Bonsai, like most art forms, has its root in a natural phenomena; when trees find themselves growing in areas where the roots can't go deep (as in growing on solid rock) the tree itself can't grow tall. It becomes naturally dwarfed and this is what the first bonsai artists (who were Chinese, not Japanese) collected and worked with. Since the rootball was relatively flat, a deep pot was not necessary. Whether they knew it or not, the shallow pot places emphasis on the tree and not the pot--what a revelation! The rest, as they say, is history... |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Bonsai Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.