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Pot selection

December 27, 2013 by Jonas Dupuich

As the run-up to Bay Island Bonsai’s 15th annual exhibit continues, more attention is given to the pots in which our trees are planted. Here are three options for an old elm – have a preference?

Elm

 

Pot #1

Elm

 

Pot #2

Elm

Pot #3

 

✕

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Filed Under: Display Tagged With: Pot Selection, Pots

Previous Post: « Making a big cut
Next Post: A pot for an elm »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fred says

    December 27, 2013 at 4:17 am

    2

  2. bonsaiprelude says

    December 27, 2013 at 4:25 am

    I’m gonna go with 1… but I’m a sucker for oval pots.

    • Fred says

      December 27, 2013 at 5:09 am

      Oval is ok but this pot is a little small for this tree.

      • bonsaiprelude says

        December 27, 2013 at 5:25 am

        Yea you’re right. I liked 2 as well, but I thought the color wasn’t quite right. Maybe it looks better in person, it’s always hard to tell with color because every monitor is a little different.

  3. judy says

    December 27, 2013 at 4:44 am

    #1 seems to be the best fit for me…

  4. Ken says

    December 27, 2013 at 5:06 am

    My vote is # 1, looking forward to the show!

  5. Steve says

    December 27, 2013 at 5:21 am

    Pot 2 works best

  6. John DeMaegd says

    December 27, 2013 at 6:21 am

    I vote for 1 , the color matches the overall shade of the tree in it’s winter state.

  7. Mac says

    December 27, 2013 at 7:08 am

    This is a lesser of three for me. If these three are the only choice I’d go with 1. But none of them really do something for me and that tree.

  8. Vic says

    December 27, 2013 at 7:22 am

    I’d go with #3 for it’s bit of movement which goes well with the tree and which gives more space and attention to the base.

  9. chis says

    December 27, 2013 at 8:28 am

    I agree with Mac. None of these pots seem appropriate nor complement the visual age of the tree.

  10. Mac says

    December 27, 2013 at 8:50 am

    Perhaps a little shallower pot and wider, extending out further below that left hand branch. Pot about 1/3 wider than the choices given and set over to the right side like in 2. Oval would be the better shape. I think an open area with nice green moss on it under that left hand branch would enhance the presentation of the tree.

  11. Patricia Tatich says

    December 27, 2013 at 9:32 am

    Pot No. 1…..good balance, pot design and color.

  12. John says

    December 27, 2013 at 10:32 am

    I will be the iconoclast and say pot 3, although my gut is that the walls are a bit too angled and so, if I may anthropomorphize, the pot seems to be “strangling” the rootage coming from such a strong trunk. What I do like very much, however, is how the lip mimics the curve of the first branch, and how the coloring is picking up that of the winter tree (at least in the photo).

  13. Dave Martin says

    December 27, 2013 at 10:53 am

    Never the nan ban.
    I like two preferably with the colour of one.
    One looks too small, but then I always over pot ;0))
    I bet you have something hidden away from your time in Japan.

  14. Lac Viet says

    December 27, 2013 at 10:55 am

    Either pot #1 or #3, but i like #3 better. Great looking elm! Regards.

  15. southwestbackyard says

    December 27, 2013 at 11:51 am

    I like #1

  16. Mark says

    December 27, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    I like #1. Did Sara make it?

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      December 27, 2013 at 2:12 pm

      Hi Mark – I think so, it looks like a Sara Rayner pot.

  17. Marty says

    December 27, 2013 at 5:54 pm

    I like #2 – good visual size and the color contrasts with the tree. However, slightly longer and shallower would be better. I also think it will look great with the tree in leaf. I know that is not when the tree is being shown, but I like to keep it in mind. I think both #1 and #3 are visually too small and too similar in color to the trunk.

  18. Cliff Chong says

    December 27, 2013 at 7:24 pm

    I’ll go for No.3. The first two pots seem too deep and bulky.

  19. Jim Young says

    December 28, 2013 at 10:11 am

    No. 3 is the best of the three, eventhough the color isn’t quite right

  20. Thomas Galway says

    December 28, 2013 at 10:22 am

    2-number 3 more of a conifer pot,and the colour of 1 is to subtle for the tree.

  21. Zack Clayton says

    December 28, 2013 at 11:42 am

    in order, 3, 1, and 2 last.

  22. Fr. Tom Davis, OSA says

    December 28, 2013 at 11:00 pm

    I like the complimentary movement of pot 3, which I think in Spring will go nicely with the movement and green leaves.

  23. Steve Moore says

    December 30, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    I vote for #1: for me, the level of visual complexity of each of the other two is too far removed from that of the tree.

  24. Lee Bates says

    December 30, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    This tree deserves the dignity of pot #1.

  25. Pablo Frances says

    December 31, 2013 at 12:57 am

    2 is the best

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