Matching Pots and Bonsai Plants
As the art of bonsai continues to gain rapid popularity in both Western and Eastern cultures, a new industry is rising along with it - that of bonsai pottery. Bonsai trees require specific kinds of pots for survival and aesthetic reasons.
For practical purposes, most bonsai owners prefer stoneware pots over porcelain ones. High-fired stoneware is very stable, which is an essential requirement for any plant. It is also breathable; thus preventing the roots of the bonsai from suffocation. This means that bonsai trees cannot be places in pots that are glazed in the interior. Pots for bonsai plants are also made with drainage holes for water to pass through. This is because too much water can harm bonsai plants as much as too little water can.
When it comes to aesthetics, there are general guidelines for matching pots with plants. Coniferous trees - cedars and pines, for example – are often placed in unglazed pots with earthy colours. Evergreens are also placed in unglazed pots. On the other hand, deciduous trees may be placed in either glazed or unglazed pots. However, one must note that the colour of the pot should complement the colour of the trees' bright autumn leaves. For example, a rich blue pot will complement a tree's yellow autumn foliage. Flowering trees, due to their vibrant nature, work best with coloured glazed pots. One can choose from shades of blue, yellow, cream, white and green.
In terms of form, the shape of a pot must complement the style of a bonsai tree. Formal-looking trees are best placed in pots with sharp, angular edges, such as rectangular pots. Trees with more free-flowing forms can be placed in oval pots, circular pots or rectangular pots with rounded corners. Literati trees are usually enhanced by round pots while delicate bonsai plants can be placed in ornate, fancy pots with carvings. Cascade trees need deep pots to balance them and enhance their depth. Long, shallow pots can be used for groups of trees and for raft-style bonsai plants.
As you prepare your bonsai display, remember that both the plant and the pot must contribute to a whole, harmonious appeal. After all, the word bonsai is composed of the Japanese words bon and sai, which mean tray and planting, respectively. This means that the two - the pot and the tree - are always given importance.
