Cost effective ways for new guys to get bonsai pots

[Manbris]

Hi!

How do you build up your pots collection?

Is getting job lots on Facebook marketplace/ eBay a good way to start? It seems they sell 100 ceramic pots for 300-500 pounds on FB.

Or do you buy pots for around 20 pounds each over time to build it up? What sort of price is good for an ok pot?

I have a lot nursary trees but maybe around 3 trees worth to be in a bonsai pot.

What’s the way forward?

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Go to a bonsai show like the trophy.
Acquire Czech high quality pots for 15-20 euros each.
Or bonsai.de website, they have pretty cheap pots that are good quality. And they ship very nicely packaged.

Pricing can be ridiculous. I've seen potters sell crapware for 200-400 dollars, and they throw twelve of these a day. Pricing can also be ridiculously low, I've bought pots for 12 euros that I would have paid 70 for.

For me a good pot needs to be frost resistant and look nice. I don't care about the maker, or the history. I know some people think the other way around; they buy pots because of the story and/or the maker.

A pot is worth the value it's given. That wholely depends on the buyer.

 

[BrightsideB]

Good idea to put your location because suppliers/distributors/potters vary in locations. I shipped a pot from the US to the UK and it was like $80.00. The man wanted the pot but to be cost effective you’ll need to look local most likely. Usually mass produced pots are the most cost effective to start with. I have a couple. They don’t compare to the ones I make in quality. But they still do the job. And I think collecting pots for tree’s from potters is something that is sentimental. Potters create a lot of different looking pots. Following a potters work or e commerce store will give you an opportunity to jump on a pot if it really stands out to you.

 

[BrightsideB]

Go to a bonsai show like the trophy.
Acquire Czech high quality pots for 15-20 euros each.
Or bonsai.de website, they have pretty cheap pots that are good quality. And they ship very nicely packaged.

Pricing can be ridiculous. I've seen potters sell crapware for 200-400 dollars, and they throw twelve of these a day. Pricing can also be ridiculously low, I've bought pots for 12 euros that I would have paid 70 for.

For me a good pot needs to be frost resistant and look nice. I don't care about the maker, or the history. I know some people think the other way around; they buy pots because of the story and/or the maker.

A pot is worth the value it's given. That wholely depends on the buyer.

I’ve seen some of this expensive crap ware. People need to be aware as to not be a victim. But those potters will never be successful.

 

[JackHammer]

Go to a bonsai show like the trophy.
Acquire Czech high quality pots for 15-20 euros each.
Or bonsai.de website, they have pretty cheap pots that are good quality. And they ship very nicely packaged.

Pricing can be ridiculous. I've seen potters sell crapware for 200-400 dollars, and they throw twelve of these a day. Pricing can also be ridiculously low, I've bought pots for 12 euros that I would have paid 70 for.

For me a good pot needs to be frost resistant and look nice. I don't care about the maker, or the history. I know some people think the other way around; they buy pots because of the story and/or the maker.

A pot is worth the value it's given. That wholely depends on the buyer.

Is there an American version of bonsai.de? Bonsaioutlet.com seems to be the best I have found on a budget - not show quality but that is ok for me and my sticks.

 

[BobbyLane]

Over the years I often opted for reasonably priced Unglazed pots, great for conifers as well as deciduous trees, great as training pots or for trees further along in development. Sound investments. I have found that most bonsai outlets, generally have fairly cheap unglazed pots.

 

[leatherback]

Buy pots for the trees that you want in a pot. It is like a picture frame. It needs to fit the tree.
From experience I can say.. do this, or else you end up with a shelve of pots, and non matching the style, color or size you need. That will work if you in general have money to waste, love pots or expect to have a massive collection. But from what I hear, you are no tin a stage to start building a top collection.

STay away from the bulk sales (Or buy my 2 crates of useless pots...)

As indication.. As your trees becomes more valuable, often a more valuable pot makes sense. Age of a pot matters if you have an aged well-developed tree. Such a tree in a brand new, high-shine fresh glaze pot just does not work the same way.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I’ve seen some of this expensive crap ware. People need to be aware as to not be a victim. But those potters will never be successful.

Unless they are mentioned on a couple podcasts and get a famous reseller.

 

[Tieball]

My advice, from experience. Don’t buy bonsai pots unless you have a specific tree near ready for a pot. Sticks don’t count. Otherwise you’ll just have a bunch of bonsai pots and most of the pots will never get used. As you turn the curve from new guy to a guy with experience your tastes, sizes, colors, finishes and overall choices for bonsai pots will greatly change. Buy a specific pot with the desired characteristics when needed.

Over time…one at a time….you'll have a working collection.

 

[Manbris]

Buy pots for the trees that you want in a pot. It is like a picture frame. It needs to fit the tree.
From experience I can say.. do this, or else you end up with a shelve of pots, and non matching the style, color or size you need. That will work if you in general have money to waste, love pots or expect to have a massive collection. But from what I hear, you are no tin a stage to start building a top collection.

STay away from the bulk sales (Or buy my 2 crates of useless pots...)

As indication.. As your trees becomes more valuable, often a more valuable pot makes sense. Age of a pot matters if you have an aged well-developed tree. Such a tree in a brand new, high-shine fresh glaze pot just does not work the same way.

Thanks so much. Totally agree

 

[Manbris]

My advice, from experience. Don’t buy bonsai pots unless you have a specific tree near ready for a pot. Sticks don’t count. Otherwise you’ll just have a bunch of bonsai pots and most of the pots will never get used. As you turn the curve from new guy to a guy with experience your tastes, sizes, colors, finishes and overall choices for bonsai pots will greatly change. Buy a specific pot with the desired characteristics when needed.

Over time…one at a time….you'll have a working collection.

Like the way you framed it - thanks a lot

 

[Manbris]

Over the years I often opted for reasonably priced Unglazed pots, great for conifers as well as deciduous trees, great as training pots or for trees further along in development. Sound investments. I have found that most bonsai outlets, generally have fairly cheap unglazed pots.

Thanks - I am following your flicker website as well. Great work.

 

[Manbris]

Go to a bonsai show like the trophy.
Acquire Czech high quality pots for 15-20 euros each.
Or bonsai.de website, they have pretty cheap pots that are good quality. And they ship very nicely packaged.

Pricing can be ridiculous. I've seen potters sell crapware for 200-400 dollars, and they throw twelve of these a day. Pricing can also be ridiculously low, I've bought pots for 12 euros that I would have paid 70 for.

For me a good pot needs to be frost resistant and look nice. I don't care about the maker, or the history. I know some people think the other way around; they buy pots because of the story and/or the maker.

A pot is worth the value it's given. That wholely depends on the buyer.

Thanks! Will try them out.

 

[Lorax7]

Join your local bonsai club, if you haven’t already. Most clubs will have at least one fundraiser each year that is a swap meet or silent auction kind of thing where members trade trees, pots, stands, etc. For every new person just getting into the hobby, there’s usually an old timer who’s downsizing a bit. I’ve gotten some nice pots at these events at very reasonable prices. A bonus side effect is that the club gets a cut of the sales, which funds stuff everyone benefits from, like having a bonsai pro visit your club to give a talk and/or conduct a workshop, having a nice venue for the club’s annual show, etc.

 

[Manbris]

Join your local bonsai club, if you haven’t already. Most clubs will have at least one fundraiser each year that is a swap meet or silent auction kind of thing where members trade trees, pots, stands, etc. For every new person just getting into the hobby, there’s usually an old timer who’s downsizing a bit. I’ve gotten some nice pots at these events at very reasonable prices. A bonus side effect is that the club gets a cut of the sales, which funds stuff everyone benefits from, like having a bonsai pro visit your club to give a talk and/or conduct a workshop, having a nice venue for the club’s annual show, etc.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Eckhoffw]

I get my pots at the local bonsai club auctions.
A few times I’ve purchased a box of pots for around 25$ in a silent auction. In these boxes I’ve acquired some pretty nice pots, and built up small collection of containers to use.

Im not sure if that’s available to you but either way, if your part of your local bonsai club/scene, there are opportunities to aquire cheap pots!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Until you have some experience, as much as possible, buy pots live and in person, rather than over the internet. I have a pot collecting addiction, I have many more pots than trees.

Initially I only bought a pot if it was for a specific tree. To some degree, especially for lower priced trees, the pot should be near the value of the tree. A good tree, should have a good pot. But most important is the pot should frame or support the image the tree is creating. Wide shallow pot to represent a tree growing in a field, , a cube shaped pot for a cascading tree to represent the side of a cliff. Larger more massive rectangles for pines to represent the mountains they grow on. The image the pot creates when combined with the tree is more important than maker and provenance of the pot.

That said, there are pots that are works of art in of themselves. I have 4 pots by BeiGei (not sure I spelled it right) that I bought just because they had such an exceptional feel and quality. I have had them on a shelf in my living room for 40 years without ever wanting to put a tree in them. They are appreciated just as they are.

Most of my pots came in to my collection with specific trees in mind.

I've been "doing bonsai" since 1979, I set aside enough money to buy one or two or more pots a year, each year, every year. So after 45 years of acquiring pots, I have quite a few, but i usually did not buy too many in any one year. I'd say for American potters most of the pots I purchased were between $25 to $250 with the average around $45. I had a chance to get some good YiXing pottery from an importer from China. This was not the Temu junk, but serious quality that rivals Tokonome. I have over the years bought a number of Tokonome pots, from its various potters.

I'd say more than 50% of the pots I own are USA made. Sara Raynor is a friend, so I buy a pot or two from her every year when she comes to the bonsai show in Chicago.

Pots Happen

 

[Manbris]

Until you have some experience, as much as possible, buy pots live and in person, rather than over the internet. I have a pot collecting addiction, I have many more pots than trees.

Initially I only bought a pot if it was for a specific tree. To some degree, especially for lower priced trees, the pot should be near the value of the tree. A good tree, should have a good pot. But most important is the pot should frame or support the image the tree is creating. Wide shallow pot to represent a tree growing in a field, , a cube shaped pot for a cascading tree to represent the side of a cliff. Larger more massive rectangles for pines to represent the mountains they grow on. The image the pot creates when combined with the tree is more important than maker and provenance of the pot.

That said, there are pots that are works of art in of themselves. I have 4 pots by BeiGei (not sure I spelled it right) that I bought just because they had such an exceptional feel and quality. I have had them on a shelf in my living room for 40 years without ever wanting to put a tree in them. They are appreciated just as they are.

Most of my pots came in to my collection with specific trees in mind.

I've been "doing bonsai" since 1979, I set aside enough money to buy one or two or more pots a year, each year, every year. So after 45 years of acquiring pots, I have quite a few, but i usually did not buy too many in any one year. I'd say for American potters most of the pots I purchased were between $25 to $250 with the average around $45. I had a chance to get some good YiXing pottery from an importer from China. This was not the Temu junk, but serious quality that rivals Tokonome. I have over the years bought a number of Tokonome pots, from its various potters.

I'd say more than 50% of the pots I own are USA made. Sara Raynor is a friend, so I buy a pot or two from her every year when she comes to the bonsai show in Chicago.

Pots Happen

Thanks a lot! Really inspiring to hear your story - thanks for sharing them. Alright got it - will take it slow.

 

[ShadyStump]

I'll throw it out there just because some folks just don't think of it, but thrift stores often have pottery, and hardware stores often have diamond tip hole bits. Got some of my better and more interesting looking pots that way.

 

[DonielDoom]

thrift stores often have pottery, and hardware stores often have diamond tip hole bits.

I wholeheartedly second this.

There's a surprising amount of relatively appropriate shapes on the kitchen isles of my local thrift shops, among others. As a beginner with nothing of true refinement to sit well in a nice pot, this method scratches the itch for me. I don't think I've spend more than $8 on any one piece to drill out.

In my case, this method has the added bonus of being able to take the wife out for some (budget friendly) quality time poking at secondhand goods. Win win!