Bonsai Pots & Containers

There are essential three types of Bonsai pots or containers.  There are the growing boxes, the training box and the formal Bonsai pot for display.  There are no aesthetic guidelines for the growing or training boxes.  A variety of informal containers may house the bonsai trees during development.  Formal Bonsai pots used for display are ceramic (glazed and unglazed) chosen to complement the tree as a picture frame is chosen to complement a painting.

There are the growing boxes where the Bonsai trees are grown.  A large growing box can house several bonsai plants and provide a great volume of soil per tree to encourage root growth.  Bonsai trees that have been planted in a formal bonsai pot may be returned to growing boxes from time to time for additional growth.

The training box is where the Bonsai tree is cultivated and pruned to reach the desired effects.  A training box will have a single tree, and a smaller volume of soil.  The training box will condition the tree to the eventual size and shape of the formal bonsai container.  The formal bonsai pot used for display can be used as the training box.

The final type of Bonsai pots or containers is the formal display bonsai pot.  Unlike common plant containers, bonsai pots must have drainage holes in the bottom to allow excess water to escape the pot.  The overall design of the bonsai tree, the thickness of its trunk, and its height are considered when determining the size of a suitable pot.  As side note, some pots are highly collectible, like ancient Chinese or Japanese pots made in regions with experienced pot makers such as Tokoname, Japan or Yixing, China.

March 1, 2010  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Bonsai Tree Pots