mage973

I've read that a bonsai pot should not detract from the tree's appearance and that certain colors do just that.

Which colors in your opinions work best with 6-10 inch tropical trees?


I'm considering white, turqouise, and deep navy blue or black for
a ficus too little, barbados cherry and brush cherry in that order.

Which would you suggest/not suggest?

Mike423

If you would like a more precise answer I would say it depends not only on the trees species but the tree specimen itself, what part of the the tree's features are meant to be displayed the most and the owners personal preference. Remember most unglazed pots work best (my opinion) as most colors are suitable for a wide range of trees and don't detract attention from the tree since they are usually earthen tone colors.

Maybe you could post a few pictures of your trees and to get a better opnion on what pot shapes and colors people envision. FYI when concerning glazed pots green or blue seem to work best for most instances in general.

-Mike

treebeard55

Mike makes a good point: it partly depends on what part of the tree you particularly want to show off.

Medium blues often work well with Ficus, since many Ficus have some blue in the green of their leaves. (The first time I heard that, I went barreling out to my bench to examine the leaves of my willow-leaf fig. Sure enough, the blue hint was there.)

Tropicals often have stronger colors than temperate-zone conifers, but there's still a chance they will be overwhelmed by a vibrant pot color. You might want to consider some muted glazes.

Hard to say anything further without pictures, altho the brush cherry and the black might be a good match ...

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Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

mage973

Thank you both for your responses, here are some pics of the trees--they are all in 6" x 4" pots.

I was thinking of a 5-6" circular pot for the FicusToo Little (benjamina 'pandora'?) .The trunk bark is greyish white, apple-green new growth and older growth is like the dark green on this web page. Would white be too distracting?

Oval pots for the two cherries.

The brush cherry has a lot of reds in the new growth, warm brownish red bark and of course green.

Maybe a low proifile land/water pot for the Malpighia pendiculata -weeping Barbados Cherry (it needs more humidity), but the one I have (last photo 9x6x2) leaks and I have not found another like it.
It has light apple-green leaves (maybe they will darken with age or a more acidic soil).

"Tropicals often have stronger colors than temperate-zone conifers, but there's still a chance they will be overwhelmed by a vibrant pot color." You are right Treebeard, the bright royal blue seems to overwhelm, or at least compete with the light green in the barbados cherry. In the darker pot the plant takes center stage.

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Mike423

I think a white glazed pot for the ficus would be too much. maybe if the trunk was a big attribute to the overall image of the tree you could get away with a pot that was an unglazed whitish gray stone color. Just another few decades before that happens

I have seen one or two half and half pots that make a nice transition from land to water but I sadly have never seen any available for purchase, just the type which you have. I don't care much for this type as they usually don't make a smooth transition to the water, having a heavy rim which itself is glazed making it gaughty and stick out, not to mention they are usually a very distinct bright glaze, and if you ask me should a soft glaze, or preferably an unglazed earthen color as they are after all supposed to be depicting a natural landscape scene.

treebeard55

Mage, if those trees were mine, I wouldn't be thinking about permanent pots yet. I'd put them all into roomy grow pots and pamper the heckoutuvthem for at least three years. I know, that's hard to even consider when you're new -- been there, done that! -- but you'll be glad later if you do.

Is there a bonsai club in Toledo? If so, you might be able to buy some bigger stock from some of the members for reasonable prices. Or come to Fort Wayne: we usually have someone who has succumbed to the temptation to overload themselves on trees, and winds up looking for good homes for a few of them. (Yes, been there, done that, too.)

__________________
Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

Mike423

I agree with treebeard with holding off on buying any expensive pots, if possible its also better to own at least one more 'finished' Bonsai that has most of the grunt work done and only needs shaping and refinement. This way you have your trees to work on but also have something you can admire and be proud of. Having nothing but working pre-stock and not being able to enjoy a more finished specimen is sadly one of the more prevalent reasons newbies get discouraged from Bonsai and drop the hobby. It otherwise might begin to feel like all work but no paycheck.

If you do decide to go twords this path I would recommend finding a good Bonsai nursery and or any show and sales events in your area. From my experience 90% of whats sold on online stores and sites have their prices over inflated, cough, cough, eBay.

treebeard55

Good point, Mike. Personally, I greatly enjoy the shaping of a bonsai, enough so I won't buy an almost-finished tree anymore. But that's me. I know plenty of other people who don't feel that way.

I've heard good things about the pots from Bonsai by the Monastery (don't remember the URL, but Google can find it!) Otherwise, I agree: be careful with on-line purchases. Buying from shows, or other club members, usually means better deals.

Mage, I don't know how far you are from Fort Wayne, IN. But we have our annual Spring Show toward the end of May, and we always have a sale table. You might want to consider dropping in.

__________________
Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.