THE POT PAIRING THREAD

[MACH5]

And second. I’m eyeing this pot as well, for my white birch. May not even be ready for a pot, but it does hurt to source sooner than later I suppose!

I like it for its depth and its color. Though @MACH5 i love the glazed rectangle yours is in. What do you think?

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View attachment 510744

Yes, also for me on this choice for your birch.

 

[bdmatt]

Hello all,

I have a cali juniper I'm planning to repot this year or next year.

It's currently in a large senkoen pot (dimensions 21 x 15 x 7.5 inches). I feel the pot is too large and somewhat overpowers the tree.

I'm considering a smaller shallower rectangle pot. Any input would be appreciated as I'm kind of lost.



Here's a few gyouzan pots from Matt Ouwinga: They're about 17/18.5 inches long and 4 inches tall


I've also considered a chinese choshiseito pot. About 20 inches long and 5 inches tall.



If I had the skills to photo shop the pots onto the trees, I would. Any input would be appreciated, and I'm not set just for these pots. Thank you

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Hello all,

I have a cali juniper I'm planning to repot this year or next year.

It's currently in a large senkoen pot (dimensions 21 x 15 x 7.5 inches). I feel the pot is too large and somewhat overpowers the tree.

I'm considering a smaller shallower rectangle pot. Any input would be appreciated as I'm kind of lost.

View attachment 511412

Here's a few gyouzan pots from Matt Ouwinga: They're about 17/18.5 inches long and 4 inches tall


I've also considered a chinese choshiseito pot. About 20 inches long and 5 inches tall.



If I had the skills to photo shop the pots onto the trees, I would. Any input would be appreciated, and I'm not set just for these pots. Thank you

Have you considered a stone slab? The orientation suggests a tree that has been knocked down and is growing along the ground. Because of that vibe, it is difficult to imagine it in a man-made container.

 

[Hartinez]

@bdmatt . If I had to pick from the 3 you posted i like number 3. Though, Im having a hard time with the pot also. While I don’t think it’s necessarily a “bad” fit, having the tree basically touch the rim of the pot at the far left and far right feels like it’s already bursting at the seams.

 

[Hartinez]

@bdmatt On Todd Schlafers site, he still has this slab available. The texture and ruggedness may be a little too much, but the sizing seems right and could potentially look really cool.

Slab 01 — First Branch Bonsai

First Branch is proud to carry Josef Rauscher Slabs. These pieces look realistic and rugged, reminiscent of the stone many of our collected trees grow in. These stones are incredibly versatile, giving you the ability to create a variety of compositions An incredible talented ceramicist from Austria.

www.firstbranchbonsai.com

 

[ShadyStump]

After @Brian Van Fleet's comment I'm remembering the old rules about masculine vs feminine appearance in a tree. This tree definitely gives me a more feminine vibe, with it's gently sweeping curves. The old advice recommends rounder shaped pots for feminine trees, and I believe that might be the best direction to go.

Certainly do not go smaller, as @Hartinez said, though I disagree with a rough looking slab.
Maybe a wide oval tray? Maybe with hints of green in the glaze to compliment and contrast the foliage?

 

[bdmatt]

Have you considered a stone slab? The orientation suggests a tree that has been knocked down and is growing along the ground. Because of that vibe, it is difficult to imagine it in a man-made container.

I do like the idea of a slab. It makes sense. And I prefer pots with textures on yamadori trees. @Hartinez The slab you sent looks really good.

This tree definitely gives me a more feminine vibe, with it's gently sweeping curves. The old advice recommends rounder shaped pots for feminine trees, and I believe that might be the best direction to go.

You're right about the tree looking more feminine. I actually thought of using a round shigaraki pot. It has good color and texture but was on the smaller side. I also considered a taiko pot, but I couldn't find one large enough

 

[Bonds Guy]

Here’s a juniper I won not too long ago. Its funny as popular as junipers are, I don’t know much about them. So I’ve been letting grow while I study up on them.

Anyhoo, this tree still has some time before I put it in a bonsai pot but I’m curious which pot (if any) is suitable for this tree

 

[RJG2]

Here’s a juniper I won not too long ago. Its funny as popular as junipers are, I don’t know much about them. So I’ve been letting grow while I study up on them.

Anyhoo, this tree still has some time before I put it in a bonsai pot but I’m curious which pot (if any) is suitable for this tree

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Out of the ones shown, I'd say #2.

Definitely unglazed, but the other unglazed shown is too wide and shallow.

 

[Hartinez]

Here’s a juniper I won not too long ago. Its funny as popular as junipers are, I don’t know much about them. So I’ve been letting grow while I study up on them.

Anyhoo, this tree still has some time before I put it in a bonsai pot but I’m curious which pot (if any) is suitable for this tree

View attachment 566239View attachment 566240View attachment 566241View attachment 566242

Agreed with @RJG2 . The unglazed rounded rectangle would be my vote

 

[Colorado]

Agreed x3 - pot #2 is my vote.

 

[RJG2]

Just zoomed in, looks like pot 2 is glazed - but it is a nice size/color.

 

[Bonds Guy]

Just zoomed in, looks like pot 2 is glazed - but it is a nice size/color.

Can confirm pot 2 is indeed glazed. I’m just now remembering the rule conifers in unglazed pots and deciduous in glazed pots. Are there any other rules like that? Also, what about the color makes it compatible with this tree?

 

[Perplexody]

#4 would look great if it was a little deeper, I'm tempted to say #3 from this group

 

[Gabler]

Get a pot the size and shape of the first but unglazed.

 

[ShadyStump]

Can confirm pot 2 is indeed glazed. I’m just now remembering the rule conifers in unglazed pots and deciduous in glazed pots. Are there any other rules like that? Also, what about the color makes it compatible with this tree?

There are many traditional rules in bonsai, among the 1st being unglazed pots for conifers. The idea is that the pot is a sort of analog for the terrain the tree would be found in in nature if it were a full-sized tree. Conifers are mostly found in rugged terrain, so a more rugged natural looking pot is appropriate, hence unglazed.

Another rule applicable here is the concept of masculine vs feminine appearance. Rectangular/square pots for the former, and rounder pots for the former. This is a very subjective concept, but generally speaking trees with a more rough and/or angular appearance are viewed as masculine; a softer gentler appearance is feminine.

The first rule hangs on hard because we always return to the idea of the pot as an analog for the earth. There are, however many examples of it being broken in very good form. Just remember the your pot is the earth, so chose good earth.
The second rule is, again, rather subjective, and arguments can be made for following or breaking it easily. The gendered terminology behind it can be controversial on its own, and I personally believe that if effective alternative vocabulary could be agreed upon the notion would be easier to teach in the modern era, and more commonly applied, but in new and exciting ways.

Either way, at the end of the day it's your tree. Do your thing.

For what it's worth, I think all 4 pots are going to be slightly small, speaking of volume. Could be because I'm in a climate with hot summers and don't have the wherewithal to water multiple times a day.

 

[RJG2]

Can confirm pot 2 is indeed glazed. I’m just now remembering the rule conifers in unglazed pots and deciduous in glazed pots. Are there any other rules like that? Also, what about the color makes it compatible with this tree?

Here's one of the must-read old threads on this forum. Started by @JudyB and with a ton of insight from the late Paul Katich (his helpfulness is the reason I sought out to buy a few of his pots).

Probably makes sense to have here!

Thread 'Pot School'

Oct 1, 2013

So I've been deep into studying what makes a pot work with a tree, and how to pair them successfully.
Firstly there is masculine and feminine, concepts I understand, and I get the basics of that.
Sharp corners, deep pots, strong lips -all masculine traits.
Rounded, shallow,curvy - feminine.

Then there are things I don't know how to think of them, feet for one. Color and texture for another, types of banding or lips. What types of feet work well for different pots, and even where they are placed seems to have great import. Just because I can identify the different elements...

• JudyB
• Replies: 106
• Forum: Pots

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[Hartinez]

Taking thoughts on a pot for this englemann spruce. It’s not a typical tree, but would a traditional pot do this tree service? A slab/eggshell style pot?

 

[ForrestW]

Taking thoughts on a pot for this englemann spruce. It’s not a typical tree, but would a traditional pot do this tree service? A slab/eggshell style pot?
View attachment 568319

Great looking tree! I would definitely go with a freeform style eggshell (not a crescent but with an organic edge all the way around.)

 

[RJG2]

Taking thoughts on a pot for this englemann spruce. It’s not a typical tree, but would a traditional pot do this tree service? A slab/eggshell style pot?
View attachment 568319

Great looking tree! I would definitely go with a freeform style eggshell (not a crescent but with an organic edge all the way around.)

A dark @penumbra stone age pot!

What size is the pot it's in?