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How to Choose Bonsai Pottery for Your Tree

January 15, 2015 by Bonsai Tree Care Leave a Comment

Whether you’re new to Bonsai, or have cared for a Bonsai tree for years, there are many factors that should be considered when selecting pottery for your Bonsai tree.

Bonsai are typically planted in small pots, often imported from Japan or China. The pot you choose, however, should be considered from a variety of aspects. Here are a few tips to get you started on finding the right Bonsai pottery for your tree, environment, and budget.

General Guidelines

As mentioned above, Bonsai are generally potted in small, Japanese or Chinese pots. Japanese pottery is known for its high quality, but they can often be quite pricey. They can be quite elegant however, with a variety of options for glazed and natural pots. Chinese pots are generally cheaper, though quality has been increasing over the last few years. Chinese antique pots can also be attained, though they are very expensive and incredibly rare.

Old Bonsai trees can be potted in much smaller pots since they are no longer being trained. Old trees have had their roots pruned and transferred from larger to smaller pots many times, and should be adapted to thriving in a small pot. If you own an aged tree, a smaller pot could be a good option for you.

Younger trees, however, need more room to grow, as their roots are still undergoing the training process. They should be planted in larger pots, and will need to be placed in smaller and smaller pots as the training process progresses. These pots can be found quite inexpensively online.

Pot Sizes and Styles

Bonsai pots are available in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors. What you choose is partly aesthetical and monetary preference, and partly depending on the age and climate of the tree.

Larger pots should be selected for younger trees, and they should be potted in the less expensive pots as they will need to be changed frequently during the training process. Once the tree has matured, a nicer, and more permanent pot can be selected.

The pot for an aged Bonsai tree should be approximately 2/3 the height of the tree in width. The depth should be approximately the width of the base of the trunk, though if you own a young tree, or one with a very small trunk, you may want to purchase one deeper than the trunk.

Whatever size and style you choose, be sure that it is large enough to maintain the health of the tree.

Price Range

The price range for a bonsai pot can vary greatly. As previously stated, if your tree is still in the training process, you will want to purchase an inexpensive pot for your tree until it reaches a matured state. If your pot has reached this stage of maturation, congratulations! Now would be an excellent time to invest in a quality pot that can last you for years to come!

Depending on the size and style of the tree, as well as your own preference, the pot you choose can range in price from around $10 to several hundred or more. High-quality and reasonably priced pots can be easily obtained for $40 or less.

If you are desiring a more extravagant pot to stand out, however, those can add an element of luxury and refinement to whichever area you choose to house your tree. A high-end Japanese pot or antique Chinese pot may serve you well.

Aesthetics

Beyond the price and circumstantial needs for your selected pot, the pottery you select is a very individual choice. Certain types of trees are better suited for certain pots, but here are a few aesthetical considerations you might want to look at:

· Shape: Bonsai pottery comes in a variety of shapes. Before you select a certain one, it is important to note that “masculine” trees fare better in angular pots, whereas the “feminine” variety, which are more gentle in shape will do better in a round or oval pot.

· Color: Bonsai pottery comes in many different colors as well. You should consider the style of your tree as well as the space in which you plan to keep your tree.

· Glazed vs. Unglazed (natural) Pots: In most cases, the preference for an unglazed or a glazed pot is purely individual preference, but certain trees – such as conifers and pine trees – may fare better in a more natural (or unglazed) pot. You should never use a bright glazed pot unless your tree has fruits or flowers. Before you select one over the other, be sure to consider the type of tree you have and if your particular breed would fare better in one over the other.

· Matters of Design: As far as the design of your Bonsai pot goes, the pot is simply the means by which you maintain your tree. It is the tree, after all, you want to stand out. Don’t pick a pot that will outshine your tree. The tree itself should stand out in magnificence above the casing you choose to put it in.

Where to Buy

Now that you’ve considered your options, you’re probably wondering where to start looking for your Bonsai pottery.

Pots can be obtained from a variety of sources all over the world. You can import very high-end pots direct from China and Japan. You can find specialty stores both online and in certain areas. You may be able to find decent quality pots through the nursery or company where you purchased your tree. However, if you purchased locally, the selection may be limited.

The easiest way to buy and find your perfect Bonsai pot is online. There are a variety of places you can find them and doing so online simplifies the process by letting you compare hundreds – possibly thousands – of pots within a matter of minutes. If you know exactly what you want, you can compare several merchants to find the best price for the pot for your tree, lifestyle, and preferences.

Japanese Boxwood Bonsai

Japanese Boxwood Bonsai are extremely slow growing, making them perfect for bonsai. They also grow very tiny leaves, making it easy to look balanced in miniature form. These trees are typically grown outdoors in warm locations, but indoor in colder locations. These trees need to go dormant for at least three months, but do not do well in below freezing temperatures.

Watering Japanese Boxwood Bonsai

Boxwoods enjoy full sun, which means they will dry out faster than other potted bonsai. Ensure that you check the moisture level daily, watering well when dry. The best way to water a bonsai is to submerge it in a tub of water up to the brim of the pot. Leave it submerged for a few minutes before removing it and allowing excess water to drain out.

Placement of your Japanese Boxwood Bonsai

Boxwood grow best in fully or mostly sunny locations during the growing season. As mentioned above, they need a dormant winter season to survive. If grown indoors, place the plant in a cool dark location for 3 months of the year to simulate a winter. If you are growing this tree outdoors, place the tree in a place that does not get too cold and is not affected by wind chill. A shed or garage that is not heated will work perfectly for this.

Training Japanese Boxwood Bonsai

Trim back new growth to maintain shape and style. Keep in mind that this tree grows very slowly, so don’t trim too much if you think you will need it later. Wiring can be done any time of the year and can be left on for as much time as necessary.

Repotting Japanese Boxwood Bonsai

Repot this species every other year, trimming back ten percent of the surface roots to encourage new growth. This tree will stop growing if it runs out of space to grow roots.

Fertilizing Japanese Boxwood Bonsai

As with any bonsai, fertilizing is vital to supplement the small amount of soil. Feed this tree a balanced fertilizer every other week during the growing season. Slow down to monthly feedings during the fall and winter.

Serissa Bonsai

A Serissa is a shrub commonly found in Southeast Asia in hot and humid environments. This tree is well known in the bonsai community for the minute white flowers that can grow year round in the right conditions. This tree grows very small leaves and produces a gnarled bark that makes it look aged. All these conditions combine for a great bonsai specimen.

Watering Serissa Bonsai

Serissa Foetida require a large amount of sunlight, which increases the amount of water needed to thrive. For this reason, your miniature tree should be checked for moisture at least once a day, if not more. Water this tree by submerging the whole tree and pot in a tub of water for a few minutes. After letting it soak, remove the tree and let the excess water drain before returning it. Snow Rose bonsai also require a large amount of humidity, so a moisture tray and spray bottle are needed. Do not spray this tree while in bloom or the flowers will rot.

Placement of your Serissa Bonsai

Serissa are indoor bonsai and require warmth year round. These trees do best in warm, humid, well lit locations. More light will produce more flowers, so the more light you can get the better. Any changes in light, temperature, or watering will cause a Snow Rose bonsai to lose its leaves. If this happens, don’t panic and dispose of the tree. The leaves will grow back with adjustments to the new environment.

Training Serissa Bonsai

Snow Rose bonsai are fast growers and will need to be continuously trimmed to maintain shape. This species is known for growing air roots, and works well for use in root-over-rock formations. Prune dying flowers to promote new flower growth during the flowering season. Wiring a Serissa Feotida is best done during the spring and summer goring season. Ensure that the wire is not wrapped tightly and that you check it often. The fast growth of this tree can become scarred by wiring if you are not careful.

Repotting Serissa Bonsai

Serissa Feotida should be repotted every 1 to 2 years to replenish the soil nutrients that have been washed out. Repot in fresh soil that is well-draining with peat moss for soil retention. Do not fertilize your bonsai for one month after repotting.

Fertilizing Serissa Bonsai

Fertilize your Serissa with a balanced fertilizer once a week during the growing season to encourage growth and flowering. This will help replenish the nutrients lost from watering daily.

Find Serissa Bonsai for sale here!

Ficus Benjamina

Ficus Benjamina, or Weeping Fig, are extremely popular for bonsai due to the beautiful umbrella-like canopy that can be produced with the thin branches that typically cascade downward from the weight of the leaves. In the wild, the roots of this tree are known to break concrete surfaces, wreaking havoc on defenseless roads and sidewalks. In the bonsai world, these roots provide great surface roots that attract the viewer’s eyes to the trunk of the specimen.

Watering Ficus Benjamina

This species typically needs to be watered more than others due to the amount of sunlight it receives. These trees can dry out very quickly if not watched carefully. You can use your finger to test how dry the soil is if you do not own a moisture meter. Another way to test for moisture is by feeling how heavy the plant is. A lighter plant than normal indicates that it needs to be watered.

Placement of your Ficus Benjamina

Benjamina Ficus thrive in well-lit locations, sheltered from direct midday sunlight. Place this tree in an area that gets a large amount of moisture, such as a kitchen. They tend to grow less leaves and look less lively if grown in dry areas of the house. Ensure that your miniature tree is not in a location that experiences cool drafts.

Training Ficus Benjamina

Pruning Ficus Benjamina encourages the tree to grow new shoots, so it is essential that you prune them regularly. In order to maintain shape, cut new growth back to the first two leaves after they have grown 5 or 6 leaves. You will have to perform maintenance pruning regularly to maintain shape and size, as this tree grows quickly.

Benjamina Ficus are great for formal upright, informal upright, cascade, semi-cascade, broom, and slanting styles. They are also well known for rock-over-root and clasped-to-rock plantings. These plants are commonly grown as bonsai and much larger house plants.

Repotting Ficus Benjamina

These trees should be repotted every year for the first few years to ensure they have plenty of support for vigorous growth. When repotting, it is important that you remove up to 30% of the surface roots to promote new growth. Ficus prefer well-draining soils, containing mostly sand and other arrogates.

Fertilizing Ficus Benjamina

Your Benjamina Ficus relies heavily on the nutrients you provide in your fertilizer. The nutrients in the soil will wash away quickly and must be reapplied through a good fertilizer. This species prefers a weekly feeding of balanced fertilizer, slowed down to every other week through the winter.

Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

Ginseng Ficus bonsai (Ficus Microcarpa Ginseng) are best known for the immense roots protruding out of the ground which base the tree trunk. The large exposed root system provides a tropical and well-aged look. These trees typically grow small leaves in clusters to provide a weeping effect over the root system.

Styles

Ficus Microcarpa Ginseng are typically grown in the umbrella style. These trees are typically designed to look like they are clinging to rocks or other objects. The large roots and short nature of this tree are perfect for making it appear to be hanging on to the side of a cliff or trying to walk off a rock.

Position

Ginseng Ficus bonsai need to be placed in a location that receives a large amount of light, while staying very humid. This indoor bonsai tree will thrive in a kitchen or bathroom that receives much sunlight while shading the tree from midday sun. These trees do not do well in drafty locations, or near heaters that dry the air.

Leaf and Branch Pruning

Leaf pruning should be conducted after the tree has grown 6-10 leaves. At this point, trim the branches back to 2-4 leaves, allowing new branches with smaller leaves to grow. Stick these branch cuttings into the ground to grow new trees. This species is extremely easy to grow from cuttings, so simply stick the cut branches in the soil and water them regularly. This will make the cuttings develop their own root systems and become more amazing bonsai trees.

Re-potting / soil

This species should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, cutting back about 10% of the root growth. This will allow the tree to continue to grow and not feel like it is out of room. The exposed surface roots and root-over-rock styles allow us to plant Ginseng Ficus Bonsai in extremely shallow pots for more impressive results.

Your One Stop Guide to Caring For Your Golden Gate Ficus Bonsai Tree

Golden Gate Ficus bonsai, like all other Ficus varieties, require warm and humid environments to thrive. For this reason alone, this species is best grown as an indoor bonsai in most locations. In warm locations, you can place this tree outside during the summer to cut back on maintenance and provide ideal conditions.

The Golden Gate Ficus is grown for the attractive gray trunk that they produce. This species grows a thick, sturdy trunk to compliment the shiny green leaves. The gray trunk in also accented with white stripes, giving it the nickname “Tiger Stripe Ficus”. This bonsai also grows extremely quickly, making it the ideal bonsai for beginners.

How to Water Your New Bonsai

This miniature tree type needs to be watered often due to its location. The fact that it needs a lot of sun creates the need for frequent watering because it will dry out quicker. Check your bonsai daily by sticking your finger into the soil to feel the moisture level. If you notice the top of the soil looks dry, then it is probably safe to say that you need to water. Once you get the hang of when it needs water, feel the weight of the pot before and after watering. You will start to notice how much it weighs when it is time to water your bonsai.

Submerge your pot in a tub of water for a few minutes to ensure that all of the soil is allowed to retain the water. This is the best way to water your bonsai because it ensures that you water fully and throughout. If you cannot use this method, make sure that you spread the water across the entire surface. It is also a good idea to go back again after the water settles and water again.

Placement of Your Bonsai

Golden Gate Ficus are best grown anywhere inside that has high humidity. They are native to areas that produce intense rain and jungle-like conditions. Kitchen windows, bathroom windows, or any other room that says somewhat humid is perfect for this bonsai species. If you cannot provide these conditions, consider using a humidity tree and spraying the tree with a water bottle a few times a day. These will help keep the humidity high and allow the Ficus to develop.

This tree species need bright indirect sunlight during the day. It is important that this tree is shaded from direct midday sun and heat. You can move the tree to a location that doesn’t get the full sun or shade the sun if needed.

While Golden Gate Ficus bonsai are primarily indoor bonsai, they love to be outside when it is warm. We place all of our bonsai outdoors in the summer once it is hot enough. They enjoys the natural environment and it reduces on the amount of care required to keep them healthy. Just ensure that you bring them back in when temperatures are in danger of dropping below tolerated temperatures.

Training Your New Bonsai

Leaf pruning is essential when training this species in order to reduce the leaf size. The first 2-4 leaves on a branch are the perfect size for use in bonsai, after that they grow much larger. For this reason, you want to trim each branch back to those first 2-4 leaves after 6-10 leaves have grown on the given branch. Complete defoliation can also be performed on Golden Gate Ficus bonsai at the end of spring. By removing all leaves from the tree, new smaller leaves will grow to take the place of lost leaves. Defoliation can only be performed on healthy trees, as defoliating an unhealthy tree can cripple it.

Wiring will also be a vital tool in producing a beautiful Golden Gate Ficus. This is how we train the branches to bend where we want and end in the right location. When wiring this species, it is important to check the wiring weekly to make sure the wires are not growing into the branch. Golden Gate Ficus bonsai are great for formal upright, informal upright, and slanting styles.

Repotting This Type of Bonsai

Repot this species every two to three years, at the beginning of spring before the growing season begins. Find a pot that compliments the tree well and it slightly larger than the previous pot. Cover the drainage whole with a piece of screening or loose rocks to hold dirt in.

After you decide on the right pot, you will need to find some good replacement soil. This species prefers a well-draining mixture, comprising of mostly sand or other arrogates. Cactus soil with some added arrogates tends to work really well for potting a Ficus.

Remove the tree from the old pot and trim back excess surface roots to promote new growth. Start with roots that are growing straight down because they will push your bonsai out of this pot. Put the tree in place and tie down with some bonsai wire if needed. This will help keep it in place while the new root system develops.

Add the soil to the pot after your know that the tree is secure. Make sure that you fill the pot with dirt and compact it as you go. Water your newly potted bonsai thoroughly after your repot it and place it in the shade to recover. Do NOT fertilize this tree for at least a month after transplanting!

Fertilizing Your Bonsai on A Regular Basis

The amount of water a bonsai tree gets is much larger than a tree planted outdoors in the soil. This has the side effect of soil nutrients being washed away quickly. Fertilizing this tree once a week in the spring, and then every other week the rest of the year, will help it thrive. Do not attempt to stunt your trees growth by not fertilizing it properly. This will force your tree to sacrifice other existent limbs in order to develop new foliage.

Propagating This Bonsai to Produce More Beautiful Specimen

All Ficus species are extremely easy to propagate from cuttings. Take new growth in the summer with a clean razorblade and place it in a sandy soil mix. Dipping the cutting in rooting powder before inserting it into the soil will increase your chance of success, but is not absolutely necessary. Place your potted putting in a bag or provide a dome to conceal humidity. After a month, you should be able to remove the rooted cutting and plant in your typical bonsai soil.

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Jade Bonsai

Jade trees, naturally grown in South Africa, are actually shrubs that grow well as bonsai. They are indoor bonsai that require temperatures above 50 degrees and like well-draining soil. These trees grow small rubbery leaves and expand rather quickly. Certain varieties of the Jade plant bonsai can display small white flowers and red-tipped leaves. These plants are extremely low maintenance, only requiring a large amount of sunlight and periodic watering.

Watering Jade Bonsai

Your Jade plant bonsai should be watered enough to keep the soil moist, but allowed to almost dry out before watering. The leaves of the Jade tree store water, allowing the tree to go short periods with no water. This species is susceptible to root rot if they are consistently overwatered. This tree will enjoy periodic misting to wash away the dust that can collect on the cumbersome leaves.

Placement of your Jade Bonsai

Jade trees are indoor bonsai that need to be placed in a location that does not drop below 50 degrees. This tree also requires a large amount of natural sunlight; full sunlight is preferred for this species of bonsai.

Training Jade Bonsai

Jade plant bonsai respond well to heavy pruning, forcing more growth to compensate. New growth needs to be pinched back as it grows to maintain shape. Wire this tree with the thinnest wire that you can use to hold each branch. The wires should be removed from a Jade after 3-6 weeks, and the branch should then stay in place

Repotting Jade Bonsai

Jade plant bonsai need to be repotted every two years to replenish soil nutrients. If you can pull the Jade plant out of the pot and the dirt comes with the roots and maintains shape, it’s time to repot. Repot the miniature tree in well-draining or cactus soil. Jade bonsai prefer water to quickly run through the soil, like in the deserts of South Africa.

Fertilizing Jade Bonsai

Jade bonsai respond well to using a balanced fertilizer year round. We recommend that you feed your tree every other week all year. This species relies on fertilizers to provide nutrition since they are watered far less than other bonsai trees.

Azalea Bonsai

Satsuki Azalea bonsai are one of the most sought after species of indoor bonsai regularly available. These miniature Azalea plants are gorgeous when grown as bonsai. They produce a large amount of beautiful flowers and are eye catching when in full bloom. They typically bloom in late spring and are available in any flower color. Azalea bonsai grow smaller leaves then most trees, making them the perfect choice for a bonsai.

Watering Azalea Bonsai

Azaleas do not do well with dry soil. They need to have moist soil at all times, so checking daily is crucial. Dry roots sill shrivel up and die very quickly, leaving you with a dead plant. Azaleas do not like lime, so use lime-free tap water or rainwater whenever possible.

Placement of your Azalea Bonsai

This species enjoys well lit areas that are sheltered from direct sunlight. They can do well in partial sun if needed, but ensure that the midday sun is filtered. This tree performs best in diffused light or partially shady locations, which are ideal for producing flowers and keeping a Satsuki Azalea healthy.

Training Azalea Bonsai

When wiring your Azalea bonsai, you should use aluminum wire instead of copper. Aluminum wire, with is softer than copper, was specifically designed to training Azalea bonsai due to their brittle branches and soft bark. Wire this miniature tree in November, after the growing season has ended. This species is typically trained into a semi-cascade, windswept, slanting, or informal upright style.

Repotting Azalea Bonsai

Satsuki Azalea bonsai prefer acidic soils, so using extra peat moss is advised. Peat moss also helps retain water while still allowing air to reach the roots. The best time to repot this type of tree is before you see the tree flower. You can trim a substantial amount of the feeder roots from an azalea. Do not prune the less prevalent thicker tap roots. Repotting can also be done later in the season, just make sure to pluck all flowers; you want the tree concentrating on recovery instead of growing flowers.

Fertilizing Azalea Bonsai

Satsuki Azalea bonsai prefer an acidic fertilizer that does not include lime. Fertilize this bonsai every other week in the spring. Stop feeding fertilizer while the tree is flowering. If you forget to stop, new leaves will overpower the flowers. In the late summer and early fall, switch to a monthly feeding of high phosphor fertilizer.

Chinese Elm Bonsai

Chinese Elm trees are considered one of the best true “miniature trees”. They look very natural in bonsai form, and look more like a full grown tree then almost any other species when used for bonsai. Chinese Elms produce dark green foliage with tiny blue teeth at the tip of each leaf. The Chinese Elm tree is the perfect beginner’s bonsai because it is easy to care for, forgiving, and it’s easy to predict the growth pattern. These trees can be kept indoors or outdoors as long as the temperature does not go below 20 degrees.

Watering Chinese Elm Bonsai

Chinese Elm trees need to be watered sufficiently year round, whether grown inside or out. The more sun you give this tree, the more water it is going to require. It is vital that you check the soil every day and ensure that it does not dry out. If you have your Chinese Elm bonsai indoors, you will need to keep it moderately humid by using a humidity tray or misting occasionally.

Placement of your Chinese Elm Bonsai

This type of tree can thrive in full sun or partial shade. They are extremely forgiving of their environment as long as you keep them well watered. Water them by submerging the entire pot in water for a few minutes, and then letting excess water drain out.

Training Chinese Elm Bonsai

Chinese Elms require a large amount of maintenance pruning, or pruning new growth to ensure the tree stays in small form. One of the most desired features of the Chinese Elm tree is the small leaves with a large trunk. You want to keep a large amount of foliage on the branches, since the leaves are so small; this will ensure that the branches don’t look bare. Allow new shoots to extend 3 or 4 nodes, then prune back to 1 or two as required. This will make the tree sprout new shoots and continue to expand.

Repotting Chinese Elm Bonsai

You should repot your Chinese Elm tree every 1 to 3 years, cutting back a large amount of the root system. Chinese Elms have strong and vigorous root systems and do not do well when they are root bound. Do not fertilize your miniature trees directly after repotting or you will experience root burn.

Fertilizing Chinese Elm Bonsai

Chinese Elms should be fed with a high nitrogen fertilizer once a week as soon as buds appear. After one month, switch to a balanced fertilizer every other week from summer to fall. During winter months, apply the balanced fertilizer monthly.

Find Chinese Elm Bonsai for sale here!

Fukien Tea Bonsai

Fukien Tea Bonsai are some of the most prestigious, one-of-a-kind specimen bonsai in the world. These trees begin to look aged earlier than most other trees suitable for bonsai. These trees sport small dark-green, shiny leaves that grow in small clumps. During the growing season, your Fukien Tea tree will produce small white flowers that turn into small red berries. The light brown bark of this species will become cracked and fissured in appearance, adding to the aged look of the tree.

Watering Fukien Tea Bonsai

A Fukien Tea trees needs a considerable amount of water on a regular basis. Being in full sun, the soil will dry out much faster than most other miniature trees. You should check the soil at least once a day, and water if it feel s dry. You should submerge the entire pot in water for a few minutes and then let excess water runoff before returning the plant to its original location.

Fukien Tea trees require a large amount of humidity and are traditionally placed in a humidity tray. The humidity tray provides a small bubble of moisture around the tree to keep the tree from drying out. Periodically spraying the tree with a mist bottle will also help improve humidity. This will also help keep the soil from drying out quickly.

Placement of your Fukien Tea Bonsai

This species is typically kept indoors, unless you live in a very warm and humid environment. Place you Fukien Tea tree in full sun with at least one hour of direct sunlight a day, preferably morning sun. Your Fukien Tea tree will produce more flowers and berries if set in a well lit, full sun location.

Training Fukien Tea Bonsai

This species of miniature tree grows slowly, but will still need to be pruned to stay small. Prune leaves back to 3-4 leaves per branch after you notice 7 or 8 have grown. These trees can be easily shaped with hard pruning at any time of the year.

Repotting Fukien Tea Bonsai

Fukien Tea trees should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, removing no more than 20% of surface roots. Repot your Fukien Tea tree in early spring, just before its biggest growing season. This will replenish the nutrients in the soil and leave more room for new roots to grow. Do not fertilize your tree for a month after repotting.

Fertilizing Fukien Tea Bonsai

In early spring, use a high phosphorus fertilizer, feeding the tree weekly. In late fall, switch to a high potassium fertilizer twice a month and continue through winter