My first hand made pot attempt.

[Mitchell]

Hi all!

Recently I have noticed most of my expences for Bonsai are being used on buying pots, this has prevoked me to try my hand at making some. They don't need to be perfect, just provide me with some alternative pots than those at stores.

I cast this pot the other night. It's a cement / clay mix, painted then sealed. I was happy with how it turned out as now I can move on and start adding, lips, feet, correct shapes etc to my next attempts. I decided to only try and make a basic functional pot on my first attempt as to not discourage myself failing a more elaborate design.


I don't expect oooh's and arrrrh's over this effort, just posting to give myself reference to my beginning in this art.

Thanks for looking /commenting. Any critique welcome.

[Mojo Moyogi]

Hi Mitchell, there is nothing wrong with the shape, but you really don't want to glaze the inside of the pot.

There are a few pot makers among the forum members, I'm sure they can help you more than I can.

Cheers
Mojo

[Mitchell]

Hi Mitchell, there is nothing wrong with the shape, but you really don't want to glaze the inside of the pot.

There are a few pot makers among the forum members, I'm sure they can help you more than I can.

Cheers
Mojo

I can see where you are going with that, indeed you are correct. I do not believe you should glaze the inside, as it does not allow the plant / pot to breath. A glazed inside will pool water and rot roots. On my next try I will definantly not be glazing the inside.
The problem originates because I am not glazing, I am painting with acrylic's then sealing with a water based coating. I painted the inside without thinking, then was forced to seal it as the acrylic paint would scrap off because it is soft.

I do not have a kiln so that is my reason for making cement pots. On my next attempt I may try oxides or ground up sandstone to colour the cement, then just seal the outside and leave the inside untouched.

[MattA]

Great work on your first pot. The shape works for me. I think you may have to seal the insides to stop lime leaching from the cement. Look forward to seeing how you work the sandstone & oxides into a pot.

Am sure some of the potters would be willing to offer helpful advice, also on ways you could get pots fired without the cost of setting one up. I know there are a few places that offer a firing service.

Matt

[phantom]

I think you are on the right track,bonsai pots need feet to allow water to escape and air to circulate so keep on trying and good luck. phantom

[bodhidharma]

Great first up effort C.D. You could make a bigger drain hole or maybe add another one. How heavy is it? Will it be to heavy once it has a tree in it.

[Mitchell]

Great work on your first pot. The shape works for me. I think you may have to seal the insides to stop lime leaching from the cement. Look forward to seeing how you work the sandstone & oxides into a pot.

Am sure some of the potters would be willing to offer helpful advice, also on ways you could get pots fired without the cost of setting one up. I know there are a few places that offer a firing service.

Matt

Thanks Matt! I must say I am extremly humbled by the feedback received. I did not expect any goods remarks, let alone several. I guess I pulled a fluke on the design. I was expecting everyone to not like it one bit. To let you in on a secret, it is mearly a glassware cooking tray. So the angles are as such, I just thought it plain and simple.

Interesting comment on the lime... I must research it more. Lime you say? Interesting...

Glad you will be following my progress. I will be casting more pots tomorrow and will keep you updated. I am also trying my hand at a Kimura forest style pot, must get my terminology correct and research the making of that pot... If anyone could fill me in please let me know.


I am hoping some of our potters will chime in as I am hoping to learn. If you need to search something on the site, I would do it soon. I think I have almost broken it from using it so many times the last week.


Thank for the feedback, it is much appreciated.

[Mitchell]

I think you are on the right track,bonsai pots need feet to allow water to escape and air to circulate so keep on trying and good luck. phantom

Thanks Phatom!

I am fairly aware they need feet, like I said on my first attempt I wanted not to many setbacks so attempted something very simple.
A side effect of this being my first attempt, it seems drainage will not be a problem as it appears I have less than perfect sculpting skills and the bottom is un-even. This will allow the water to drain regardless of feet. My next attempt will have feet as this attempt was some-what a success.

Cheers for your comment!

[Mitchell]

Great first up effort C.D. You could make a bigger drain hole or maybe add another one. How heavy is it? Will it be to heavy once it has a tree in it.

Thanks Bodhidharma! Yes I too was thinking I was possibly pushing it, with that size drain hole. Perhaps another is in order.
It weighs under 1 kg. Perhaps a bit heavy for a pot 25cm wdie and 15cm deep. All though not too heavy for a pot that cost total $2.00 + labour.

Thanks for your comment!

[craigw60]

Nice pot I would certainly use it but you need heaps more holes in it both for drainage and to tie the tree in. I always love using Japanese pots with 4 holes for tying the trees in nice and tight.
Craig

[Mitchell]

Nice pot I would certainly use it but you need heaps more holes in it both for drainage and to tie the tree in. I always love using Japanese pots with 4 holes for tying the trees in nice and tight.
Craig

Thank Craig! That post has really helped me. It shows me how much of a little hole I have been living in. You mean there are Bonsai pots with more than two holes??

Oh my!! I am not being sarcastic at all. I thought two was pushing it. From your post it seems 4 is acceptable perhaps even more for tieing? Please elborate as this interests me alot. I shall invest in my friend Google san and research this 4 hole phenominum!!!

[kitoi]

Very good for your 1st try!

Glazing the inside is not the demon, it does nothing to impede drainage or air circulation unless you are using earthenware. Stoneware fired to high temperatures (cone 5 and up) is impervious to air and water.

Keep practicing!

[Greth]

Yes, Dragon there are often more holes, can be quite small, which can be used for wire to anchor the tree.
Think the lime can be an issue, I have heard of people putting a lump of concrete at the base of a lime loving plant just to keep it happy in an acid soil, so internal glazing is probably a good idea from that point of view.
Shops which do china painting supplies often have a kiln or access to one, maybe that would be a starting point for a ring around. (Painted china needs to be fired as well, oh, and you might find all sorts of other useful stuff if you go in an establishment like that, leave the credit card at home, lol)

[craigw60]

Hi, I think two drainage holes is adequate although 3 running along the centre of the pot would be good. The holes for tying are usually just big enough to pass a piece of wire through and there is one in each corner. They are really useful. If you make a pot with only 1 hole it needs to have feet so you can use a stick with wire wrapped around it to tie the tree in. Hope that helps. Keep up the good work we badly need good Australian pots.
Craig

[Mitchell]

Very good for your 1st try!

Glazing the inside is not the demon, it does nothing to impede drainage or air circulation unless you are using earthenware. Stoneware fired to high temperatures (cone 5 and up) is impervious to air and water.

Keep practicing!

Certainly will keep practicing! thanks foryour comment.