Bonsai Pots - Explain

[dbonsaiw]

I think that article is only the tip of the iceberg on that site. I don't think he was directing you specifically to Kimiko. Look to the right on the page for additional posts on pots...

I looked at a bunch of the pots and promptly exited the page. I don’t need to even be tempted at this point. Let’s first see if I can actually grow a tree.

 

[Joe Dupre']

I don't think the few teaspoons of water "stuck" in the bottom of the pot is of any concern. There will be roots there to suck up any excess water. Too much water, too often or the wrong mix is the grower's fault and is more likely than a minor fault in pot design.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Pots don't have to be overly expensive. For example this rectangle is roughly 16 inches in length, it is a "production grade" pot from Japan, no signature, but it is well made, and fired high enough that it is reasonably frost and freeze proof. It was only $75. This is quite reasonable for a large, winter proof pot that can be used for conifers. Kilns large enough to fire 16 inch and larger pots are uncommon, hence larger pots tend to be more expensive.


This second example is a very well made signed piece by the USA potter, Lynn August. It is a 6 inch round, frost resistant, burnished finish, not glazed. I picked it up at auction some years back for only $45, which is about right for a USA made pot.



Both pots are "good enough" quality that they certainly can be used in local shows. The large rectangle for a conifer might be switched out if the tree in it was accepted for the National Show in Rochester NY, you would want a higher quality pot if the tree got accepted to that show. The Lynn August pot is high enough quality that her pots in this style have already appeared at the National Show in Rochester.

So the point is, some $45 pots are Exhibition quality. You don't have to spend huge money to have nice pots. Shop around, you can find very useful pots at modest prices.

 

[rockm]

Here's another resource--Matt Ouwinga's ebay site. Matt has been importing and selling high end pots from Japan for some time. His site, however, also has reasonably priced, extremely good medium level pots. It's worth looking through to get an idea of what is out there and some of the pricing.

Security Measure

www.ebay.com

 

[Dav4]

Thanks to all. These were the answers I was looking for. I will definitely check out the articles BVF cited.

I look forward to the day I have a tree that warrants a nicer pot. When the day comes, I will splurge. I will, however, need a scientific explanation for the wife as to why this is non-negotiable.



I just learned about this rule as well. Insane. Still, I'd probably get one if the pocket allowed.

Ok, this is another example of overthinking things. There's an easy way to build your collection of trees and pots, and there's a hard way. Your way is the hard way. My way is to have enough trees and pots so that any new additions just blend in. I also pay all the bills and make sure I don't leave any credit card or bank statements on the kitchen counter... plausible deniability .

 

[LanceMac10]

@dbonsaiw .....

So the wife wears dresses made from potato sacks accented by some DIY Ho Chi Minh sandals?

Why can't you have nice things? Current climate here indicates your somehow a douche if you have foldin' money.

When it comes to pots, you can tell the difference to hand between quality and something much less so.

But ya, get some trees going first.

 

[rockm]

Nah, you don't need trees Collecting bonsai pots is a hobby all by itself. I have never waited to buy a pot (if one catches my eye) if I can afford it and it's available. I don't really wait until a particular tree needs a pot.

The thing about pots is they don't die--unless you step on it, drop it or bang something into it. If chosen carefully, pots actually increase in value-but buying pots as an investment is kind of silly. buy what you like and leave the rest to time.

As said, good pots don't have to cost a fortune. If you have a local, or regional, bonsai club, watch for their auctions. Club auctions can turn up incredible values...I sold a lot of pots at auction, including some custom-made Horst Heinzlereiter, Ron Lang and Nick Lenz stuff. Those went for mostly reasonable prices.

 

[Dav4]

“You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” - Morpheus


This is where 2 decades plus of collecting pots might get you. I'll readily admit my introduction to bourbon right after moving to GA may have greased to tracks to purchase a fair number of the high end pots on display- try it, you'll like it!
... and these are just the empty pots...

 

[ShadyStump]

try it, you'll like it!

The bourbon or the pots?
Because one of those I already have a problem with.

 

[rockm]

My bonsai pot addiction isn't all that tidy. Here are a few of the pots, others tucked away in storage rooms, other areas in the backyard, etc.

 

[Pitoon]

“You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” - Morpheus


This is where 2 decades plus of collecting pots might get you. I'll readily admit my introduction to bourbon right after moving to GA may have greased to tracks to purchase a fair number of the high end pots on display- try it, you'll like it!
... and these are just the empty pots...
View attachment 426444View attachment 426445View attachment 426446View attachment 426447

First two pics of the shelves displaying your pots are superb!

 

[giventofly]

Quality bonsai pots are fired to high temps. Lower fired pots are porous and suck moisture out of the potting soil. Also absorb water an crack or shatter in cold weather.
Bonsai pots have feet to elevate the base of the pot above the bench for added drainage and stop roots blocking drain holes.
Glaze and finish can vary in quality from one pottery to another and from one pot to the next. Hard to eliminate all flaws when firing so check each pot individually if possible.

Some of the price of pots is quality, some is just name like in artwork.

Is there any way to know this when checking out a pot? Or only "trial by fire" ?

 

[Dav4]

First two pics of the shelves displaying your pots are superb!

Really a bucket list item for me having my nice pots displayed like this.

 

[Pitoon]

Really a bucket list item for me having my nice pots displayed like this.

But I do see you are missing a pot though.

 

[sorce]

Is there any way to know this when checking out a pot? Or only "trial by fire" ?

Lick it. The lick test won't fail!

Sorce

 

[ShadyStump]

Lick it. The lick test won't fail!

Sorce

I've heard this before, but I have no clue what I'm supposed to be looking for.

 

[Dav4]

But I do see you are missing a pot though.

Maybe… you should know that, except for the Gekkous, all the pots on those shelves were made by potters that died decades ago.

 

[rockm]

Is there any way to know this when checking out a pot? Or only "trial by fire" ?

You can generally tell by weight and feel of the clay. Terra cotta and lower fired clays tend to feel chalky. This is where "name" can go a long way. Most, if not all, of recognizable bonsai potters understand the use of high firing or hardening. Buy cheap Chinese and/or unknown and you can get into issues unless you know what you're looking at.

 

[giventofly]

Lick it. The lick test won't fail!

Sorce

If I feel it sticking is bad?

You can generally tell by weight and feel of the clay. Terra cotta and lower fired clays tend to feel chalky. This is where "name" can go a long way. Most, if not all, of recognizable bonsai potters understand the use of high firing or hardening. Buy cheap Chinese and/or unknown and you can get into issues unless you know what you're looking at.

So if it feels like pumice is bad?

 

[rockm]

If I feel it sticking is bad?



So if it feels like pumice is bad?

No, generally, if it feels like pumice it could be a number of things. Good Japanese high fired pots have a rougher texture, like shark skin...I'm no potter, but I have heard that kind of clay has more "tooth" --grog in the clay. Grog is already fired clay that's been ground up to add to unfired clay to give it texture when it is fired.