Which pot would you choose for this Western juniper (please reply in the comments - Im trying to keep my email traffic down to 7,000 a day)? This and the other photos shown here are from a 2013 Boon Manakitivipart post.
Sooner or later every serious North American bonsai artist is influenced by Boon Manakitivipart (aka Bonsai Boon). For some this influence is face to face (if you’re lucky). Or indirectly though one of his students that now teach bonsai (Michael Hagedorn comes straight to mind, though there are others). And then there are his regular posts on facebook that are full of generous pointers and bonsai inspiration (lots of good meals too).
Speaking of pointers and inspiration, are you inspired to point out which pot you’d choose? If you are, please use the comments and share with everyone (my inbox might explode if you email me).
I’d go for the round pot–it echoes the movement of the tree (?)
I prefer the rectangular pot instead of the round. The tree’s style and shape needs an off-center placement which isn’t facilitated as well by the round. Also the design of the rectangular pot makes its profile appear lower than the round. Lower is better for this tree. The round pot’s design makes it appear to be too large and heavy for this tree.
I like the rectangle. both pots have a feminine quality but the rectangle breaks up the line better and does not look deep like the oval does.
I think both pots are way too big. The rectangle appears to be closer to the right size but the oval is a better shape for the tree.
The rectangular pot stands up to the rugged image the tree presents much better than the softer oval pot.
I prefer the rectangular pot because I think the tree is masculine, and the rectangular pot is masculine. I think the pot could be a bit smaller, which would give more emphasis to the tree.
The two pictures are not the same; the rectangular pot picture presents the tree as being more mature, which suggests to me that Boonyat , (his real first name) made a more recent decision on the rectangular pot because he thought it more appropriate.
I must differ with the previous posters. I go more on feeling than tradition. The rectangle pot leaves me feeling uncomfortable. Not sure why, perhaps all of the conflicting straight lines between pot and tree.
I much prefer the oval pot, with the tree planted more to the left (as we look at it) and also tilted more to the right. After this and living with it for months, I think I would reduce the jin at the top as well. Much more pleasing and comfortable. By the way, really nice tree.
I think the rectangular pot. The tree seems more powerful in that pot.
I would like to see an oval pot with round/indented sides, before deciding. There are numerous twists and turns in this tree, that an oval pot might support.
I’d say the oval pot. This tree seems elegant and subtle, with the masculine elements being only skin deep. It’s more like a tough optimistic old woman than a grizzled stalwart old man, in my mind. The oval pot would help to bring out that nature.
without a doubt the rectangular pot. I’m no expert just an amateur but the tree looks right in the rectangular pot and it seems to enhance the lines of the tree. The pot could be a little more shallow but the oval pot does nothing, in my opinion to enhance the tree
I like the rectangular pot better because it suits the trees rugged feel better.
I agree with the pot above that suggest that both pots are too large. I would further specify that they are both too deep. Having said that, since the growth of he tree, especially including the jinns, is quite energetic, the oval pot so more calming, and provides better balance.
Suspect the two choices are about evenly weighted depending on which aspects of the tree the final design makes focal, and only Boon knows which way he was planning to take this.
For me, the oval pot harmonizes with the big convex curve of the main trunk, shape outline of three top jin, and what the foliage masses will develop into with refinement and mass.
The concave sides of the rectangular pot reinforce outward movement and recurve of the living branches plus the shape of their junctions coming from the trunk.
Accordingly the oval pot enhances perception of a softened, rounded and rising movement in the tree, while the convex curve on the sides of the rectangular pot emphasizes lateral spread and downward inflection of the tree overall – not explaining this well, but that’s what it feels like looking at the photos.
The oval pot is deeper than the trunk is wide, true, but the rounded lip and the narrower band above the foot break up the horizontal mass, plus the lip echoes the profile of living veins above. The rectangular pot is a better depth “by the rules”, but emphasizes lateral movement when in fact the clearly saved-for-a-reason uppermost jin are rising; also I end up feeling the rectangular pot is what we all would expect, so somehow pretty conventional in the overall result. Final vote for me: the oval pot.
The rectangular pot – for all the reasons already stated.
i would choose the oval pot . it seems to blend better with the various flow of direction of the branches of the plant
In general I prefer oval pots for softer rounder trees which this one could turn out to be but on the other hand the tree is very rugged and has many masculine qualities which may also be emphasized in the future. The pots as they exist with the tree now are not an equal choice. The oval pot is too wide and deep. The rectangular pot is the preferable one of the two.
I really like the rectangle pot. It being more masculine in appearance and as such it really brings your eye towards the living veins in the tree. Nice footage on the pot bottom as it gives just the right height and movement for his style of pot. The band around the bottom ties all the feet together and the masculine lip
around the top starts you looking up towards the great jin. As for the width and the depth, the width could be a bit smaller and the depth could be deeper as junipers like deep growing roots. I would like to see it in a Victor Erin free form pot.
The rectangular pot at least for now. The round one seems too large and dominant
It’s not a matter of oval vs. rectangle: the oval pot is just ugly. Maybe if it were shallower and had a little more character, this would be a fair comparison. It is also too deep to go well with this tree.
I think the best choice for this bonsai is the rectangular one.
Regards paolo
The oval pot is best but will never win because it is too big in width and depth. Properly proportioned I believe more folks would like the Oval.
I think the oval pot (if a better size) would fit the style of the tree better, but the depth of the rectangular pot is better. Currently the oval is my choice, however.
Not a fair comparison. Regardless of the pot, the version of the tree photographed in the oval pot is much better. I am surprised that we have 22 comments and nobody has bothered to point out that the tree is different in these photos, not just the pot.
It appears that the branches were tidied up for the oval pot photo. The lower right branch is a disorganized mess in the rectangular pot photo. It was shortened for the improved tree in the oval pot, and the flow of the other branches was also adjusted.
I really like the oval pot better. It just seems to make a better overall composition with the movement of the tree. The rectangular pot feels too sharp, too angular for the flow of the tree.
my first impression, go with the oval pot. It seemed to soften some sharp edges, for me