Thanks

Many thanks!

Thank you my friend! .. That means a lot.

Hi, Good question! It very much depends on the tree, but the principles are the same. Looking both above and below ... A tree in training will not have a 'tight' enough or well ramified enough root-ball. So it has less, but longer roots that require more space. Also when in training, you want growth, and if there is no (space for) root extension, then there is no foliage extension. Once the tree has a well-ramified root system, and the branch structure is becoming ramified with more dividing twiggery (a word?) and smaller leaves, then the smaller root ball can now fit in the smaller final / show size pot, with still a little room to grow roots further. At this stage, the last thing you want is long twig extension and long internodal lengths, which a larger pot could allow. Like everything in bonsai, it is a matter of judgment and how preference - but rushing the right pot doesn't help in the long run. Thanks, Alex

@@alexrudd4257 Thank you Alex, from the sounds of your explanation it is a matter of waiting for the tree to reach maturity depending on the given style and size. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

Hi Tom Tom, Cloud feet, lotus-shaped pots, and hexagons etc. ... all of these choices of; shapes, (round, lotus, mokko, rectangle .. ) and details (feet, banding, negative space under pot, rim,) together with colour and texture .... are all pot characteristics that can be used to create an overall 'bonsai image' whereby your pot harmonizes as well as possible with the tree and is the best choice for health requirements. These details all have masculine and feminine traits and its a matter of selecting the right balance of pot characteristics to complement your tree. ... A mokko shape (like a stretched 4 leaf clover) for example is more feminine than a rectangle (depending on other details (rim, feet etc) but probably less than an oval, so would not suit a masculine tree. A mokko often however has more depth than it seems visually, so can be a great choice when a deeper pot is required for health. Without the corners of a rectangle or even oval, it can allow more depth without looking too bulky. A lotus shape is an 'off round' which has multiple sharp 'petals' (google lotus flower), so could be used for a tree that is feminine, perhaps a literati / bunjin, but not so feminine as to require a round pot. I hope that makes some sense. Cheers, Alex

@@alexrudd4257 I think the question is if, for example, would a trident maple would be a better in a cloud foot pot versus a hexagon shape pot?

it’s a busy show the neoloanders 🙄🙄🙄