Japanese Maple repot

[Coach]

I have been working on this tree for a few years now...it was my first "real" bonsai purchase. I made many mistakes (like leaving some heavy wire on too long amongst others) but it has tolerated me so far and is starting to shape up. It came in the pot you see it in. I commissioned Ron Lang to build the cream pot that you see in the pics for this tree but I may have asked him to build a pot that is too deep for this tree. I also have this rustic nan-ban looking pot from Erin pottery that is much more shallow. I am repotting tomorrow. Which do yall prefer? Thanks for your input.

Sorry for the terrible picks...lighting is no good for pics at inside at night

 

[j evans]

I like the Erin pot for the fact that it is more round than the oval pot. Just thinks that it fits the tree better. That's my 2 cents. Good looking tree

 

[MACH5]

Nice tree coach! Of the three the Lang pot is the best although I agree is a bit too deep. The namban pot is just too rustic for a maple.

 

[Eric Group]

Nice tree coach! Of the three the Lang pot is the best although I agree is a bit too deep. The namban pot is just too rustic for a maple.

100% agree... That Erin pot should be used with an old conifer.
The cream pot may be a bit deeper than you want.. But it appears more shallow than the pot it is in currently. I like a cream color like that for JM...

Any other options?

 

[petegreg]

Agree and what is the leaf colour of this tree?

 

[Coach]

100% agree... That Erin pot should be used with an old conifer.
The cream pot may be a bit deeper than you want.. But it appears more shallow than the pot it is in currently. I like a cream color like that for JM...

Any other options?

Thank you for your input Eric. The only other one I have this size is this standard Korean pot...it's a little more feminine which I think fits the tree I'm just not sure about the color. What do you think?

 

[Coach]

Agree and what is the leaf colour of this tree?

Thank you for the reply...It's a Sharps Pygmy...leafs out a beautiful, compact light green with hints of red and yellow. I live in Texas so it stays this way until late June...then the struggle begins...leaves get to full size and turn a dark green and for the rest of the summer as it slowly gets crispy (I work hard to keep it happy but 100+ daily and often windy makes it tough). Weather finally turns cooler and the tree finishes with very deep purple before leaf drop.

 

[petegreg]

Then I think the cream pot would suit fine for so many leaf colours.

 

[ColinFraser]

I think you need two shohin pots.

Seriously. This cultivar will grow on its own roots and it would be so much nicer without that graft. I would start 2 layers; one right above the graft (with a plan to use that thick low branch as a leader), and one a bit above that thick branch to make a second tree from the top.

Two shohin trees with better proportions and no ugly grafts. What's not to like?

 

[Eric Group]

Thank you for your input Eric. The only other one I have this size is this standard Korean pot...it's a little more feminine which I think fits the tree I'm just not sure about the color. What do you think?

I like it! If only it had a nice glaze on it you would have a great fit IMO. Of the options I like the cream the best right now... A light blue or light blue with a drippy dark over it with a shape similar to that Korean job would be a nice fit IMO.

 

[Coach]

I think you need two shohin pots.

Seriously. This cultivar will grow on its own roots and it would be so much nicer without that graft. I would start 2 layers; one right above the graft (with a plan to use that thick low branch as a leader), and one a bit above that thick branch to make a second tree from the top.

Two shohin trees with better proportions and no ugly grafts. What's not to like?

Thank you for the idea Colin. Maybe someday when I feel comfortable with air layering

For now, my goals in bonsai are really simple...1) work material, collected or purchased, so that it looks like a real tree 2) create a garden with these trees....I'm giving this tree and the others I have going about 8 more years to get to that garden. For now, the bulky graft union dosen't bother me at all. Fortunately, I am not interested in showing or exhibiting trees to be judged or anything like that so "flaws" don't bother me much (I'm no where near versed enough in horticulture to create the pieces many on this site can...I'm still pretty much in the "keep em alive, feed em, wire em, directional prune em and repot em every 2 years phase"...a.k.a no real skills

I do enjoy coming on this site though and getting advice from artists like yourself. Especially when I just can't seem to make decisions for myself .

 

[Kodama16]

Go cream pot like everyone saying and the deepness will help you in Texas with the hot summers.