Which is crucial component when deciding on a bonsai container? Dimension, form, shade or high quality. Though various in accordance with the tree, I usually rank the weather by measurement, form, shade and high quality. Private style can be a deciding issue primarily based in your bonsai research by the a long time, understanding of the artwork and degree of bonsai you recognize.
Yesterday we transplanted an uncommon Satsuki cultivar, Senbazuru, which has GREEN flowers, as soon as positioned within the shade. It’s been in full solar till at the moment. It constantly flowers from Might to September. The present shade proven right here will not be the ultimate shade. A photograph taken in late July clearly illustrates the true shade.
Senbazuru Satsuki Azalea, late July. No Photoshop tips or filters, true coloring!
Which container is greatest? Which container did I take advantage of?
I first posted this query on my Fb put up and acquired over 35 responses. When writing my ideas on container choice, I wrote an excessive amount of for my Fb put up, so am explaining right here, the place I’m not restricted area. ALL 4 of those containers are appropriate for this bonsai.
A- Chinese language manufacturing high quality. Workmanship less than my requirements for this container. However when the azalea whip arrived from Japan eight years in the past I rapidly needed to pot it and get it established and wholesome. I assumed the inexperienced flowers would distinction with the intense orange-red glaze, which it did. Nonetheless, the container was low cost and now the bonsai deserved a greater container. High quality was crucial issue on this occasion.
B- US, Purple Tail Pottery, handmade by Mike Hennigan. I bought this fine-quality container from Mike final week due to the bizarre, modern design and excellent workmanship. The cream shade is sort of delicate, and I needed to current a quiet refined picture. Usually, if doable, I attempt to use contrasting colours, like orange-red with inexperienced flowers. However I favored the distinctive design and thought the scale was a bit too small. Nonetheless, after wiring a couple of branches, the tree appeared bigger than earlier than shaping. So, not contemplating the brand new measurement I initially potted it in pot B. After learning the picture, the tree appeared a bit too massive within the cream glazed container. So I repotted it after learning pictures. Photographs current components as they really are; they don’t conceal something. So after learning the pictures additional the bonsai it was transplanted. Once more. So on this case the scale was the deciding issue.
C- Japan, Yamaaki, aged with patina. I favored the colour distinction with the inexperienced flowers and the depth as a result of Azaleas are likely to develop higher in chilly climates in deeper containers, plus they like water and don’t like drying out. The scale was about proper, however the robust formal look was a bit an excessive amount of for this casual bonsai for my style. The standard and patina had been nice, however right here the match was higher within the different shapes. So the container design was most vital issue.
D- Japan, handmade by Gyozan. He’s at present thought of one of many most interesting potters in Japan due to his massive measurement containers, craftmanship, clay physique use, design and just lately uncommon glaze colours. He has customed made two containers for me particularly for a few bonsai. I actually like, recognize and admire his artistry and would use extra of his containers, if I might afford them. I bought this container from him a number of years in the past when he first started to make use of glaze. Initially, I felt this container was a bit to massive for my proportional style and used the American container by Mike Hennigan. Nonetheless, after a little bit of wiring and some man wires the bonsai had extra mass, and appeared too small for the tree after cautious research. The standard was excellent, maybe a bit too good for this younger creating bonsai. So the ultimate choice was the Japanese container by Gyozan, primarily based on the weather defined right here.
First potting, Friday
Second and remaining container choice, Saturday
Now, ought to Mike Hennigan make a bigger container of the identical design, maybe in a blue-green glaze my bonsai is perhaps once more transplanted, ought to I nonetheless personal the tree….
