Need large pot

[rockm]

I am in the pic for size reference! She’s a monster!View attachment 494054

and BTW, forgot to say, that's a magnificent tree!

 

[dlayton]

I'd actually go with a bit smaller pot, not larger.

The tree will probably end up being about 5 inches wider and a bit taller.

Either way, pots this big or a bit smaller are hard to find!!!

 

[dlayton]

and BTW, forgot to say, that's a magnificent tree!

Wish I could take credit! Maybe I can one day!!!

 

[dlayton]

Darn people... what with all these huge trees that we can't lift? I imagine you would need to do a crayfish boil to have enough people to repot them

I have a hydraulic lift and actually have been moving it around by myself! The wife is scared of it!

Be tough on a toe she says!

 

[dlayton]

That's a big ole' boy.

I'll show you my rough estimation of what's going on beneath the leaves and you can disregard if I'm off. Which is more than likely.

View attachment 494061

Orange is what I'm assuming you could do pretty quickly to make the proportions reasonable to make it showable.

Red is what I would say the proportions, as is, would make it closer to the japanese standard (since this is a split trunk). I'm not a master by any stretch but that would seem the way the tree leans.

Blue is where I'm pretty certain major branches are, with purple being the ones that are minor and/or I'm not confident of they're placement.

Given that, I would say you probably don't need a giant pot. It looks like that last 3-4 inches would be better used as highly ramified foliage rather than cranking the tree up to 11 and breaking off the knob. Its obviously healthy and doesn't need a kick in the pants. I don't see a yellow/brown spot or patch on the whole thing.

Let me just say, if I had the cash pot to buy this glorious dude, I would be focused on ramification, not driving growth. As long as that container isn't deteriorating health, I would keep it in there for at least a few years. I've had a big ole' boy trident for about three years now and he's not changed pots yet. I've been reworking branch placement and ramification, but the repot I did last year because I was afraid of it being too root constricted probably set me back another two or three years. And that's without increasing pot size.


On a completely separate note; if you think this thing needs a bigger pot, either now or in the future, and you have the funds to buy a a tree of this caliber, I would suggest a commission. I have not commissioned a piece yet, but from everyone in my club that has, its a good experience for those ceramicists that make bonsai pots.

Funny you ask! I just defoliated it this week! I’ll share some pics. It has some work yet to be done. The split trunk is on of the issues and I believe it’s going to have to be a good bit taller to work that out.

I’m not going for Japanese, Chinese, traditional or anything else. I fell in love with this thing from the moment I saw it. And I want “her” to be the big huge 300 year old tree in the middle of the field. I imagine she doesn’t have standards, been through her share of thunder storms and she just does her on thing!

I want a nice pot because I plan on her sharing my life’s journey with me! Until I’m gone!!!

Your comments are spot on otherwise!!! Thanks!

 

[dlayton]

That tree is roughly the size of my live oak. I've got it in a (approximately) 25" by 20" by 7" Yixing oval. It could stand a pot that's about 30" across though. The current pot "works" pretty well. It's what I could get and the tree has been happy in it, but probably most importantly, I can lift it by myself.

Gorgeous!!!

 

[dlayton]

Contact Rob Wallace here near Asheville. He may be able to do it. I just bought a big one from him and he will do special commissions. Contact him via his website https://www.wallacewoodspottery.com. Also have you tried Waldo Street Pottery in Atlanta. Eli makes large ones.
Think twice before having one shipped to you. I ordered a big one from House of Bonsai and UPS delivered it in 3 pieces.

Thanks. That’s what I’m looking for is someone close by…

 

[namnhi]

Truth is Hulk is not smaller than that tree hahaha.

Uncle, Hulk is my center piece tree! It will have a permanent spot in the garden and most likely won't move again. Still give me a chuckle when looking at it that we managed to fit it in the Lexus.

 

[Perplexody]

Forest Inn Pottery Bonsai Pots and Accent Planters

Selling handmade pottery specializing in bonsai pots. Unique custom planters and pots for bonsai trees. High fired, frost resistant bonsai pots and planters. Located In northeast Pennsylvania. Also selling ceramic pottery such as high quality coffee mugs, ceramic whiskey cups, ceramic wine mugs.

forestinnpottery.com

Saw her at MABS in April. She makes some nice pots.
I bought a couple of smaller ones from her.

I can vouch for Justine, her pots are great and she's done some big ones
Shes a member of my local bonsai club so our annual show usually showcases a tree or two in her pots from other members

 

[rockm]

Funny you ask! I just defoliated it this week! I’ll share some pics. It has some work yet to be done. The split trunk is on of the issues and I believe it’s going to have to be a good bit taller to work that out.

I’m not going for Japanese, Chinese, traditional or anything else. I fell in love with this thing from the moment I saw it. And I want “her” to be the big huge 300 year old tree in the middle of the field. I imagine she doesn’t have standards, been through her share of thunder storms and she just does her on thing!

I want a nice pot because I plan on her sharing my life’s journey with me! Until I’m gone!!!

Your comments are spot on otherwise!!! Thanks!

FWIW, I have commissioned more than few pots over the years. Some pretty large. I commissioned Bryan Albright to make a 24" glazed drum pot back in the 90's. Since he's in the U.K., it also required international shipping--which went well, as he knew how to package to avoid damage.

I still have the tree in that pot. It is an old friend now. I highly recommend commissioning a pot for a special tree like this one.

Commissioning a pot for a tree is one of the most rewarding things I've done over the years in bonsai. A pot for a tree that will be with you for a long time is a great investment, too. One-off pots from a decent potter tend to increase in value and tend to age well along with their tree.

The collaboration between you, the potter and the tree typically produces a pot that "fits" the tree in character and dimensions. (BTW, if a potter doesn't ask for a photo of the tree, find another potter). The "approximate" compromises--not exactly the right size, color, details, etc.--in finding an already-built pot aren't necessary with a commissioned one.

I can't locate a photo or the name of the potter, but a while back the Pacific Bonsai Museum had a show of West Coast native trees. One was (I think) a Valley Oak in a commissioned pot. It wasn't glazed, but had subtle splashes of color in cracks. It complemented the tree very well without overpowering it. I wish I could remember the potter, as it was a very large pot in the range you're looking for.

In setting up commissioned pots, I learned from the potters that very large pots are limited for most hobby potters as they not only require large kilns, they require A LOT of clay and time. They can also be unstable in the construction process and in the kiln. In making the large drum pot for me, Bryan Albright said he had to make it three times, as issues developed in each. The third one was the charm, but the repeated construction, with associated materials and time meant that he took a monetary loss on the pot.

 

[rockm]

Found the oak. It's a Tucker Oak. Still don't know the potter, but the pot is pretty great for the tree:

Quercus john-Tuckeri “Tucker Oak”

Thumbnail photo courtesy of Pacific Bonsai Museum. I saw a photo of a Tucker Oak and thought it was a great tree for Bonsai. It has holly like leaves complete with small thorns on each leaf. A goog…

rockymtnbonsai.com

 

[rockm]

Scroll down in the link...

 

[Cajunrider]

Found the oak. It's a Tucker Oak. Still don't know the potter, but the pot is pretty great for the tree:

Quercus john-Tuckeri “Tucker Oak”

Thumbnail photo courtesy of Pacific Bonsai Museum. I saw a photo of a Tucker Oak and thought it was a great tree for Bonsai. It has holly like leaves complete with small thorns on each leaf. A goog…

rockymtnbonsai.com

Beautiful tree and pot.

 

[Perplexody]

Tried to help and found the info panel for this tree but it only lists the container for the accent plant that goes with the tree. Doesn't seem to list the trees pot maker, unless it was the same one

 

[Perplexody]

Tried to help and found the info panel for this tree but it only lists the container for the accent plant that goes with the tree. Doesn't seem to list the trees pot maker, unless it was the same one
View attachment 494196

Found the oak. It's a Tucker Oak. Still don't know the potter, but the pot is pretty great for the tree:

Quercus john-Tuckeri “Tucker Oak”

Thumbnail photo courtesy of Pacific Bonsai Museum. I saw a photo of a Tucker Oak and thought it was a great tree for Bonsai. It has holly like leaves complete with small thorns on each leaf. A goog…

rockymtnbonsai.com

Upon more looking the pot does seem like her style

 

[rockm]

Upon more looking the pot does seem like her style

I think you're right about the potter being Victoria Chamberlain.

 

[dlayton]

Post defoliation

 

[woodkraftbonsai]

oops

 

[woodkraftbonsai]

I think you're right about the potter being Victoria Chamberlain.

Here are a couple of recent pics. I can't remember if it's a Vicki Chamberlain or a Sara Rayner.

 

[Lorax7]

Potfriendsworld (Chinese importer on Etsy) has some pots that big. I've bought pots from them before and been happy with what I got and how it was packed for shipment (they used styrofoam). However, I've never bought a pot anywhere near as large as what you're intending to get, so YMMV.