WTB: large cascade style pot

[Nybonsai12]

I need to repot this tree into bonsai soil this spring.

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?17461-japanese-white-pine-Longus-armus

The nursery can it's in is 13x7 or so. I'm having a tough time finding anything large enough so that I don't have to do a drastic reduction to the roots to fit it. I would prefer to get something nice to look at as it will stay in it for the next several years. I'm only into the tree for $100 so I'm not looking to buy a $300 pot either. I've searched around and found maybe one or two yixing options that aren't as deep as i'd like but may be suitable.

The other option is a grow box/planter, but as stated, I'd like it to at least look somewhat nice.

If anyone has any ideas, suggestions or pots, please let me know.

Thanks all.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I'd caution against a too-deep pot for a white pine. Their roots take up water very slowly and require a drier soil to stay healthy. A deep pot will not promote a healthy environment for white pine roots, and soon enough you'll be dealing with a weakened tree. Do a search for cascade white pines and see that the good ones are in pots that are rarely deeper than they are wide.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

This one is the right size, good price, and very ugly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281581872584

 

[Nybonsai12]

Thanks BVF. I guess my concern was thinking i need to bury the obnoxious graft so I was looking to keep a similar depth as I don't know what awaits for me root wise when I pull it out of the nursery can.

Would it be better to get an overall tighter fit in a shallower pot? It's hard for me to estimate how much downsizing i can do as I get more comfortable with root reductions, but i'll keep the figures of the pot you posted in the front of my mind.

thoughts on this one?

http://www.bonsaioutlet.com/14-yixing-pot-yx147-1/

 

[Bunjeh]

http://www.hollowcreekbonsai.com/ec...10-5-x8-unglazed-cascade-bonsai-pot-d10.rhtml

This would probably work but it's $90. Too bad you are on the other side of the country. Rob Cho has some of these laying around his yard for about $40.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Thanks BVF. I guess my concern was thinking i need to bury the obnoxious graft so I was looking to keep a similar depth as I don't know what awaits for me root wise when I pull it out of the nursery can.

Would it be better to get an overall tighter fit in a shallower pot? It's hard for me to estimate how much downsizing i can do as I get more comfortable with root reductions, but i'll keep the figures of the pot you posted in the front of my mind.

thoughts on this one?

http://www.bonsaioutlet.com/14-yixing-pot-yx147-1/

Yes, tighter fits are better to keep good air and water exchange. Pine roots don't grow too quickly, so you don't need to provide all that much "leg room". I'd rather adapt to more frequent watering than watch for days hoping it will finally dry out.

I think you'll be surprised how much the of the overall mass is actually soil, and simply shaking it out will probably get you into a smaller pot, without pruning many, if any roots.

The pot in your link is good, visually too strong for your young tree, but probably functional. The hollow creek one from bunjeh is definitely too massive.

 

[Nybonsai12]

My gut thought that pot I linked really calls for a stronger trunk. I think i'll be able to find something softer and more suitable given that i can go a bit smaller than i anticipated. I initially set out to find a circle. Thanks again for the advice/info.

 

[Adair M]

Brian gave good advice.

In general, the tall cascade pots are not used any more. Water pools at the bottom, and is too wet. The top dried out, so you water, which makes the bottom worse.

Use a pot roughly in the shape of a cube or hex.

Now, what if the branches hang lower than the bottom of the pot? Set the pot on the end of the bench, so they can hang down. Or, tie the pot onto a concrete block set up on end.

When showing, use a tall stand.

 

[Dav4]

This Rocky Mountain Juniper is planted in a very tall cascade pot, as I felt the tree needed a pot like this to frame it. My remedy for the extra height of the pot was to create a drainage layer that essentially filled the bottom half of the pot...over 8" deep for this one. My understanding is that drainage layers are basically reducing the height of the given pot so excess moisture shouldn't be an issue. The tree has been in the pot for close to 10 months...we'll know more in a few years.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Thanks Adair and Dave for your responses as well. nice juni!!

I can never really relay how appreciative I am of the info, tips and guidance you all give. Outside of the forum, i'm very much on my own with this hobby so to have quality folks giving advice is priceless. Even just a few lines from all of you can give me confidence to do something, like go for a smaller pot than i thought I could, or move toward a a different shape i hadn't previously considered.

So i now have some more exploring for the right pot. Good thing i have time til spring as ice is coming down as we speak!

Thanks again.

 

[Adair M]

Dave,

You saw my JBP cascade I have tied on the concrete block. It used to be in a pot like yours. The seller didn't want to sell the pot with the tree. Problem is, he couldn't get it out of the pot! He eventually yanked it out, tearing most of the roots off.

I repotted it into Boon mix an it's doing well.

Just be careful that you can get the roots out!

 

[Dav4]

Dave,

You saw my JBP cascade I have tied on the concrete block. It used to be in a pot like yours. The seller didn't want to sell the pot with the tree. Problem is, he couldn't get it out of the pot! He eventually yanked it out, tearing most of the roots off.

I repotted it into Boon mix an it's doing well.

Just be careful that you can get the roots out!

No worries, Adair...I've got a 16 oz framing hammer for situations like that. I mean, it's a nice pot...but not THAT nice!