One American larch, four pots (plus the original pot below). All this images in this post were borrowed from Boon Manakitivipart's facebook feed (the image above is a composite that we put together).
Boon is at it again. This time it’s our prized local larch (Larix laricina). Around here we call it Tamarack (the Algonquian name that means “wood used for snowshoes”). No matter what you call it, it is in my opinion, by far the best local wild species for bonsai. Bar none.
Which pot do you prefer? If you are ambitious, you might tell us why. (NOTE: So that everyone can benefit from your observations, please put your choice in the comments. Please DO NOT email me with your choice.)
BTW: the more I look at this tree, the more I think it is very possible that it was originally collected and styled by Nick Lenz (his book is below). I might be wrong, but…
Pot number 1
Pot number 2
Pot number 3
Pot number 4
The original pot.
While we are on the topic of Larches, it seems appropriate to mention Nick Lenz' benchmark collecting book. BTW; that's not a Larch on the cover (it's a Northern white cedar), but Larch Master Nick is still the man when it comes to Larches and the book devotes plenty to the species.
#2 for me.
Pot No. 2 it matches the rustic look of the tree.
My choice for the Larch is pot #4. The depth of the pot is complimentary to the trunk mass and the serene deep curves on the pot echo the robust but fluid and moving lines of this tree; the diminished lip lets the lines of the pot shape flow upward toward the tree; the gray tone compliments larch bark which can tend to charcoal, ashy or even bluish undertones. The feet on the pot give a slight lift, but aren’t too prominent, fancy or prissy. The tree crown balances at center to the pot and so the tree appears stable and grounded.
pot #1 is too deep and the color isn’t good for the tree. pot #2 actually seems undersized for the movement and mass of the tree to the right. pot #3 is better color and interesting shape but again the tree overbalances to the right. All of these pots have a lip that shoots back outward beyond the sides of the pot, and that detail keeps stopping the movement of my eyes travelling from tree to pot and back – that would drive me nuts after a while..
I like pot #2, as I think the patina gives it the appearance of age that compliments the tree. I believe that the larch will change to a yellow color in the fall and I think the pot will also work then.
I prefer Pot #4
Don’t like any of them.
It looks like it could be Nicks work.
It needs a more masculine pot.
I don’t think any of these pots would complement the tree – a more primitive style would be better.
I agree with Ann. I don’t like any of them. I think the owner needs to get more pots! A rustic less deep pot than the original but larger in diameter would work in my opinion. One of Jim Gremel’s rustic free form round pots perhaps.
Pot 2 is my choice; dimensions fit the tree and the design is conservatively masculine. The pinkish patina reflects the pinkish tinge of the larch bark where it is flaking. The depth is good for the moisture-loving larch, tending toward shallow which will keep the roots more moist than a deeper pot.
Pot 1 is the color of many Tamaracks in fall, but looks too deep.
Pot 3 is too feminine for this tree’s trunk
Pot 4 is an impractical shape for a larch which will be out in winter deep freezes and February thaws. This shaped pot will likely break when subjected to the power of ice.
I do not think you can decide until you reduce the size of the jin on the front. It is so distracting and throws the balance of the tree off. Jin acts as nice contrast of color and texture to make tree look older. But not all Jin is appropriate.
pot #4
the shape just to me just seems right, though i would use the color from pot #2 mixed in with pot#4 increase the size of the pot by half and loose the lip