Bonsai Pots - Form Follows Function
Posted January 12th, 2009
The art of growing bonsai is to take trees that normally grow to a large
size, and by carefully pruning the roots and the crown - not to mention training
the crown into desired shapes. Keeping the trees confined in small containers
also helps the miniaturization process.
Bonsai pots serve two purposes of course. They hold the tree, and they are
decorative.
There are many different styles of bonsai, and most of these styles will require
a different shaped pot to complement the bonsai.
There are two main styles - those in which the tree grows upright, and the
cascading style, in which the trees are trained to fall below the base of the
pot.
Some of the styles used (always referring to the trunk) are “the formal upright
style,” the “slant style,” and the “raft style,” in which branches from the main
trunk have developed into trunks themselves.
Others include the “literati style,” the “Root over rock style,” the “broom
style” and the “Growing in a rock style.”
Pots, trays and containers
To complement these various styles of bonsai trees, the containers are
offered in a multitude of shapes, from circular to oval, from square to
hexagonal, from irregular shapes to lotus shaped.
Because it is necessary to continually prune the roots of the bonsai tree, deep
pots are rarely used. Rather, the trees are usually grown in trays or bowls, not
more than 4-inches deep.
Most pots are made to contain only the tree, but there are some pots available
that are divided into two portions, so that one may have the tree on one side
and water on the adjacent side. These are called “land/water pots.”
Tokoname
Bonsai is an ancient art form, and many areas of Japan are known for specific
pot designs. For example, the Tokoname area of Japan creates pots that are quite
distinctive - looking almost as if they are blown glass.
The pot and the tree it contains must be integrated, as the whole is considered
a work of art. Bonsai cultivators will spend as much time training the crown to
grow into specific shapes to complement the pot, so it is essential that the two
do indeed fit together.
Display stands
In order to display the bonsai to its full advantage, it’s also a good idea
to have a stand on which to display this piece of art. They also must complement
both the pot and the tree.
About the Author: Amber Snow is a amateur bonsai enthusiast and contributor to bonsaigardener.org bonsaigardener.org Visit Bonsai Gardener and find out more about how to grow, prune, and care for all species of bonsaigardener.org bonsai trees.