Choosing A Bonsai Pot – The Truth Experts Are Hiding
Wannabe Bonsai masters often delve into this fascinating hobby without proper consideration as to how their miniature tree will be housed. All too often we see Bonsai trees with inappropriate pots. The truth is, if as much thought went into choosing a Bonsai pot as it did when selecting a tree, then growing a Bonsai would likely be a lot easier.
Think of choosing a Bonsai pot as like a marriage. In order for the marriage to work successfully both partners most be compatible with each other. Similarly, this is true with Bonsai; you need to make sure the pot is right for your tree.
The good news however, is that nowadays thanks largely to the Internet there is lot more choice than say ten years back when Bonsai wasn’t as popular. With more knowledge spreading about how to grow and care for a Bonsai tree there is never a better time to get involved.
Deciding On A Bonsai Pot Colour:
This isn’t as easy as you may think. You need to take into account what colour your Bonsai trees ordinary foliage is, and also the colour of the foliage if the tree changes during a particular season. Take a typical maple tree as an example. Its normal foliage is a greenish colour. However, during the autumn months the foliage changes to a brilliant vivid yellow. The golden rule therefore is to understand the colour changes your Bonsai goes through throughout the year and choose a Bonsai pot that best complements these colours.
What Type Of Bonsai Pot:
Once you have decided on a colour you then need to think about matching a pot that best suites your tree. Whether you choose a rounded, square or rectangular pot is really a personal choice, but try to imagine what pot will best harmonize with your tree. You shouldn’t choose something that is jazzy over-elaborate in design. After all, the art of Bonsai is to reflect in miniature a naturally growing tree. With this in mind when choosing a Bonsai pot, less is so often so much more.
This is another important aspect that is often overlooked. As a general rule your Bonsai pot should roughly be as wide as the longest branch, and as deep as the trunk is wide. This should ensure a pretty good living environment for your Bonsai and help determine the correct water levels that the tree needs to remain healthy.
Bonsai Pot Alternatives:
Not everybody has easy access to a specialist selling Bonsai pots; therefore there are a couple of household items you can use as an alternative. These included, believe it or not, pie and casserole dishes. Just remember to allow for drainage and you will have a crude but acceptable home for your Bonsai tree. However, in my opinion there is no substitute for an authentic Bonsai pot.