Bonsai Containers

"Aesthetics Rule When Potting Bonsai Tree..."

The Japanese word 'wa' ,which roughly translates to 'harmony', refers to the relation between individuals and man and nature. Wa can also be used to refer to the elements comprising a work of art.

This concept is shown in the art of bonsai through the coordination of the choice of species and style with the container that holds the bonsai tree.

Shape, size, color, and material are the factors that are considered when finding the right pot to match a given tree. Due to the varying tastes of bonsai artists, there are no truly rigid rules concerning the type of pot.

However, a sense of tradition and symmetry heavily influences the choice. The pots are selected to complement the trees and give balance to the overall design.

There are also some practical aspects that must be considered to ensure that the bonsai pot is functional as well as beautiful when growing a bonsai tree.

The pot must be the right size to balance the weight of the moist soil and the tree. Remember, the soils will be heavier when it is wet than dry.

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Bonsai is usually placed on a shelf or bench for display. If the tree is out of balance or the pot is too small and light, the bonsai may tip over. You want to avoid a "jumping Juniper Bonsai tree!"

Kengai or Han-Kengai

The style of the pot can be a practical factor as well as affecting the overall aesthetic of the bonsai. A kengai (cascade) or han-kengai (semi-cascade) has a trunk and/or branches that travel out from the 'box' of the pot.

In the case of the kengai, it dips below the plane of the base of the tree, emulating a tree near a cliff under heavy snowfall.

Thus, a tree of this style placed in a pot that  is too small has a high risk of falling over . Bonsai are very fragile. A simple accident can cause a great deal of irreparable damage ruining years of work.

The pot should be large enough to hold sufficient soil for the roots while leaving room for about two years worth of growth.  Bonsai are usually re-potted every two years or so to refresh the soil, trim the roots, and possibly allow the size of the tree to increase. 

Provide Drainage

Bonsai pots need to have a hole at the bottom covered by a mesh screen for drainage. Make sure that the holes in the mesh screen are the right size.

Mesh that is too large can allow soil to leak out of the bottom of the pot, and mesh that is too small can become clogged with soil hindering drainage.

The pot needs to have a tray underneath or attached to it that is large enough to allow for overflow. Inadequate drainage can cause over-watering of the tree.

This is worsened by having the bottom of the tree constantly sitting in water due to a tray that is too shallow or narrow. Over-watering can be just as harmful to a bonsai as under-watering.  

The species of the tree also affects the correct size and shape of a pot. Flowering and fruiting trees require more water and tolerate wetter conditions. White pines and other conifers benefit from drying periods between watering.

Experience and a personal aesthetic will determine the specific pot that's best to choose. However, there are several examples that can serve as a guideline for pot selection or stimulate your imagination.

Some photos even display bonsai that have been alive for as long as 200 years.

 
If I can do it, you can do it!
Tina Timms, Bonsai Babe

Bonsai Containers