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Pot selection for a dwarf wisteria

March 15, 2016 by Jonas Dupuich

What’s all the fuss about selecting the right pot for bonsai? A pot that’s too big can make a powerful tree look small. A pot that’s too bright can be distracting. Pots can accentuate foliage or flowers, and they can clash with or complement other pots with which they are displayed.

Maybe we’ve searched for years with no luck before finding a good match. Or maybe we’ve had a pot for a long time but didn’t have a good tree for it. I’ve experienced both over the years.

The actual selection process can also be frustrating. When having to make trade-offs like right shape but wrong color, or right size but wrong style, the final decision don’t always feel great. But when we do find the right pot for a tree, it can be really satisfying.

I went through the exercise of collecting and testing a number of pots to use for a dwarf wisteria in January ahead of this year’s Bay Island Bonsai exhibit. Here are the options I considered.

Round glazed Japanese

The round pot above is too deep for me and lacking in character. Next!

Koyo

I find the pot by Koyo a good match. I like the size, color and depth of the pot, but the straight sides are a bit strong for a deciduous tree with a slender trunk.

Bunzan #1

Pots by Bunzan often elicit strong reactions, whether positive or negative. I find both the pot above and the one below to be appropriate, in terms of size and shape, but a bit busy for such a simple tree.

Bunzan #2

I really like pots that show great age, but the Chinese antique below is a bit much for such a young tree. I might consider it again if the trunk grows much larger but the tree remains small.

Unglazed antique Chinese

The Japanese pot below is appropriate but doesn’t excite me.

Old Japanese

The pot by Michael Hagedorn below showed me how well the oval shape works. I find the pot to be a good selection, however it’s a bit large for the tree.

Michael Hagedorn

The green oval below is just as wide, but a bit more shallow than the Hagedorn. It’s a good option.

Green oval

I also liked how the Chinese antique with namako glaze looked. The size, shape and color are all a good match.

Glazed Chinese antique

Of the options above, any favorites?

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Filed Under: Display Tagged With: Pot Selection, Pots, Wisteria

Previous Post: « Getting the balance right – a follow-up
Next Post: BABA’s 35th Annual Exhibit »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sage Smith says

    March 15, 2016 at 6:17 am

    Fantastic post Jonas. Very informative and detailed. Thanks

  2. Paul says

    March 15, 2016 at 6:31 am

    Liked your pic but like the Unglazed antique Chinese also.

  3. brendenstudio says

    March 15, 2016 at 9:16 am

    Another color choice to consider would be yellow ochre…compliments the flower color and foliage well

  4. Scott Shatrowsky says

    March 15, 2016 at 10:32 am

    Not that I am one for following rules and whatnot, but Wisteria are best displayed when flowering. Depending on the size of the blooms, it may be ideal to select a pot that elevates the tree somewhat. The Bunzan size and shape would be ideal, but the colors would make a very busy exhibit. The Chinese namako glaze stands taller and would be a great compliment to the purple flowers.

    I’ve spent my 2 cents…

  5. Rod says

    March 15, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    The last one for mine. Seems to be more balanced and harmonised?

  6. Bruce Winter says

    March 15, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    Hmmm, One of the the last two would be my choice. I also like Brenden’s idea.

  7. Brian VF says

    March 15, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    Bunzan 1 works, can’t believe I’m saying it. Not sure my ego would allow me to put one in exhibition…so I’d probably defer to the round Chinese namako. It’s strong for the tree, but very nice, and a close fit.

  8. Sally says

    March 15, 2016 at 7:51 pm

    Loving your pick, and the Koyo.

  9. Andreas Deutscher says

    March 16, 2016 at 4:50 am

    The last one “Glazed Chinese antique” suits best for this Milletia japonica, I think. Or bunzan # 1 too, but has too strong character of glaze maybe. How tall is this tree ?

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      March 17, 2016 at 11:10 am

      Thanks Andreas – the tree is 13″/33cm.

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