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Pot selection exercise – Yaupon holly

January 13, 2017 by Jonas Dupuich

I’ve always been surprised at how different pots can elicit such different feelings from a given tree. I’ve previously posted several pot options for an Ilex vomitoria and found that a variety of styles and colors can work well for the broadleaved evergreen. A number of the pots I tried this year make a great match style-wise, but the size was off by a little. I’ve included these photos anyway as the shape and/or color got me thinking about similar pots of a different size.

Without further ado, here are the candidates – any favorites?

Pot 1 – glazed rectangle (possibly Tokoname)

Pot 2 – production Gyozan

Pot 3 – new Chinese square

Pot 4 – handmade Gyozan

Pot 5 – Kinka, aka 1st generation Yamaaki

Pot 6 – glazed Yamaaki

Pot 7 – Japanese

Pot 8 – (possibly Tokoname)

Pot 9 – (possibly Tokoname)

I decided on pot 9 this year as it is a good size for the tree. Because the rootbase is both large and round, finding a suitable pot is a challenge. A shallower pot would be nice, but that too is difficult as the rootball is already relatively thin.

I’ll continue to keep my eyes out for more pots around this size so I have better options for the next time I show the tree.

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Filed Under: Display Tagged With: Ilex Vomitoria

Previous Post: « Correcting faulty roots on young hawthorn bonsai
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AndreasD. says

    January 13, 2017 at 4:37 am

    I think there is not a pot which suit well and your final decision si the best you can do. I thaught amybe about No 8, but it is not ideal either.

  2. Charles says

    January 13, 2017 at 5:16 am

    Jonas, I like pot #7. The softened angle counter balances the silhouette of the tapered trunk. I like its rustic texture that is also reflected in the trunk.

  3. Holger says

    January 13, 2017 at 5:55 am

    To me Pot 7 has good proportions and responds to the form.

    Greetings from Cologne, Germany

  4. Mac McAtee says

    January 13, 2017 at 6:18 am

    I don’t know about the choice Jonas, I think Pot 1 looks far better.

    • John Rigg says

      January 13, 2017 at 6:32 am

      My choice would be pot No. 2, this round. The flair accentuates the spreading branches.

  5. Geoff says

    January 13, 2017 at 6:27 am

    Number 7 is my choice, but that is in ignorance of root issues.

  6. Bill Daniels says

    January 13, 2017 at 7:04 am

    Pot 8 – (possibly Tokoname) — Pot 7 – Japanese — Pot 4 – handmade Gyozan — Pot 2 – production Gyozan How can one tell where the pot is made from? pot 1 or pot 4 would be my choices b/c the bonsai needs a masculine pot.

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      January 13, 2017 at 8:40 am

      Hi Bill – we can tell where the pots were made when there is an identifying chop or signature on the bottom of the pot. In the absence of such markings, we can guess based on the age, style and clay or glaze of the pot.

  7. Dane Buxbaum says

    January 13, 2017 at 7:20 am

    I would agree that option one was the best. I look at the choice of pots the same way I would the choosing of a tie with a colored dress shirt. When it’s right, you know immediately. If you have to think about it, its probably wrong and you should keep looking.

  8. Zack Clayton says

    January 13, 2017 at 10:17 am

    I am partial to pot 5 but like 1 as well.

  9. Frank Corrigan says

    January 13, 2017 at 10:23 am

    I like your choice. It also appears to be the closest fit in size. Hope to see it in the BIB show.

  10. Bruce Winter says

    January 13, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    #1 for me. And I agree with Dane as to method of choosing. First impression best impression.

  11. Charlie Mosse says

    January 13, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    I liked your choice or a slightly more shallow version of 4.

    • LanceMac10 says

      January 15, 2017 at 6:13 am

      I agree, #4 seems perfect. #9 seems too feminine, this is a strong, broad trunked beast. #9 makes it seemed “perched” on a less than sturdy base. #4 has that band near the bottom, as if it’s needed to contain the spreading roots. I like the notches at the corners of #4, they seem to lend just enough delicacy to compliment branch movement.

      Fantastic tree that would look good in a cut-off milk-jug!!!

  12. Elaine Harris says

    January 13, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    I like the way the flare of the base of the trunk and nibari meet the edge of the pot. Nice.

  13. Marty Weiser says

    January 13, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    I really like pot #1, but it is just a little too big. I also like pot #7, but it seems just a little too small.

  14. Ann says

    January 14, 2017 at 11:46 am

    I like pot #9 too. The shape is good – feminine to complement the tree. The unglazed/matt finish on the pot also balances the shiny holly leaves.

  15. florent says

    January 15, 2017 at 8:02 am

    Number 1 or 6 seems good !

  16. tivaa says

    January 17, 2017 at 11:59 pm

    #1

  17. Tony says

    January 18, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    I like #4 …the horizontal line makes the pot appear thinner….making the trunk appear bigger…

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