Do bonsai pots have dimension ratios

[Josh]

Hi Guys,
Just wondering is there a rule/guideline on ratios for pot dimensions. if a round pot is 20cm wide it should be x cm deep. if a rectangle pot is 50 cm long it should be x cm wide and x cm deep. I know pots come in many different sizes but is there a general ratio for standard bonsai pots.

Thanks
Josh

[kez]

Hey josh,


I don't think its so much about the ratio for the pot, more pot to tree. If it was width/depth then we wouldn't get deep rectangles for big pines or rounds for cascades, as well as shallow rectangles and nice shallow ovals etc.

Very much a different strokes for different folks, or is that different pots for different trees

[Elmar]

Hey josh,


I don't think its so much about the ratio for the pot, more pot to tree. If it was width/depth then we wouldn't get deep rectangles for big pines or rounds for cascades, as well as shallow rectangles and nice shallow ovals etc.

Very much a different strokes for different folks, or is that different pots for different trees

Yer, I've only heard of one ratio (that I can remember) and that is that the depth of the pot should be the thickness of the trunk... Clearly that is not the case with all pots (cascades to name one).


Cheers
Elmar

[Josh]

Cheers guys. I have never heard of any ratios. I was looking at some pots the other day and really liked one but not another. The only difference was the depth. With the right tree it would probably look ok but it just didn't look right for some reason. It got me thinking is there a ratio for sizes of pots.
I know it's more about the tree matching the pot or the pot matching the tree.

Josh.

[shibui]

I'm starting to think that many pots are actually too shallow. I'm having trouble keeping trees properly healthy in many of my shallow pots

[kcpoole]

I'm starting to think that many pots are actually too shallow. I'm having trouble keeping trees properly healthy in many of my shallow pots

I tend to agree.
I think it stems from our conditions in Australia being somewhat harsher to those in the traditional Bonsai areas of Japan and followed by the US and Europe. I have not been there but believe that under our conditions we shoud have a larger volume of soil or substrate in the pot to keep oour trees in top condition.

Any of the long term experts have thougths?

Ken

[GoldfieldsBS]

Agree with Ken. Our hot summer conditions seem to effect the trees more, unless you have a micro climate that has protection from the hot winds and burning sun, I think deeper pots will lead to healthier trees.
Paul

Paul GBS