How do I choose a bonsai pot?

Traditional Rules of Bonsai Pot Styles and Size:

1. In most cases the ideal length of the pot should be about 2/3 the height of the tree.
2. If the height of the tree is shorter than its width, the length of the pot should be about 2/3 the width of the spread of the tree.

How deep should a bonsai tree pot be?

Regarding dimensions, the length of the pot should be equivalent to ⅓ or ⅔ of the height of the bonsai. The depth of the pot should be at least the diameter of the trunk at the base of the bonsai. The most popular shapes for bonsai pots are rectangular and round.

Does a bonsai pot need to be shallow?

Why Do Bonsai Need Shallow Pots? Because trees grow slower with constricted roots and limited soil, planting a “finished” bonsai in a shallow container helps make it easier to maintain the desired shape.

Can a bonsai pot be too big?

The fear that growth will be slowed in a small pot leads many bonsai enthusiasts to overpot and advise overpotting. Unfortunately planting a tree into too large a pot/overpotting is as detrimental to vigorous growth as underpotting and leaving a tree rootbound.

What soil is best for bonsai trees?

The common ingredients in bonsai soil are akadama, pumice, lava rock, organic potting compost, and fine gravel. Ideal bonsai soil should be pH neutral, neither acidic nor basic. A pH between 6.5 and 7.5 is ideal.

How are bonsai pots measured?

The general rule of thumb is that the pots depth should be equal to the diameter of the trunk just above soil level. For oval or rectangular pots, the length of the pot should be 2/3 the height of the tree. For round pots, the diameter of the pot should be 1/3 the height of the tree.

What keeps a bonsai small?

The biological explanation for the small size of bonsai trees seems to be that it is environmentally induced plant dwarfism. Stress is caused to the tree and this restricts its growth. It seems that the intense pruning and restricted pot size in bonsai causes the tree, and its leaves, to be much smaller than normal.

Do you have to trim bonsai roots?

Severe root pruning should only be done during dormancy. The roots should be trimmed all around so that the root ball will fit into its new container without having to fold or tuck long roots into it.

Can I use regular potting soil for bonsai?

Yes, you can definitely use regular potting soil when planting bonsai trees. Bonsai trees don’t need any special soil except for the common ingredients such as akadama, pumice, lava rock, organic potting compost and fine gravel that’s normally found in potting soil.

What is a bonsai pot?

The traditional, low profile Bonsai pot represents a slice of landscape featuring a majestic tree. The term “Bonsai” means “Tree in a tray”, so your bonsai pot size and shape should represent the natural surroundings that your style of tree looks best in.

Should I repot my bonsai in a larger pot?

Whether you should repot your Bonsai in a larger pot or keep it the same size pot it currently in depends on the age of your tree, type of tree, how root bound your tree is and whether you’d like your tree to bigger or stay the same size. Re-potting doesn’t necessarily mean you have to increase the size of your pot.

How do you measure a bonsai tree for a pot?

This will be key to determine the right dimensions of the pot, since naturally, the pot contains the tree. In order to properly measure your tree, let’s start with the height. A bonsai’s height should be measured (with tape measure) from the base of the trunk (also called nebari) to the top of the foliage.

What is the difference between a tree and a bonsai?

A tree is a tree, a pot is only a pot. It does not become a Bonsai until these two are combined and form a harmony together. A large part of the art of Bonsai is the experience of a tree that has become detached from its ground and now lives in a pot.