Bonsai Tonight

An educational website about bonsai development

Pot selection exercise – Yaupon holly

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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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Comments

  1. 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. 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.

  6. 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.

    • 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. 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.

  10. #1 for me. And I agree with Dane as to method of choosing. First impression best impression.

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

  13. 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. 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.

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