Choosing the Right Pot

Masculine or feminine 

The first thing you must do is to decide if your tree is masculine or feminine. Usually, a tree is a mix of both and question is which sex is the dominant. This is absolutely crucial and perhaps the most important rule in choosing a pot. Some attributes that can help you along the way is that the curves, grace, smooth bark and sparse branches is considered feminine. The corresponding masculine traits are strength, old bark, deadwood, thick trunk and dense branches.

Size 

As a rule of thumb, the pot should be of the same height as the trunk is wide above the surface roots (Nebari). Pot length should be between 1/3 or 2/3 the height of your bonsai 

• In case of rectangular or oval containers, the pot’s length should be equivalent to 2/3 of the bonsai height. 
• On the other hand, when considering a round-shaped pot, its diameter should be equal to 1/3 of the bonsai’s height 

Fingertip 

Keshitsubo    (height:  3 - 8 cm)

• Recommended length in rectangle / oval 2 - 5.4 cm
• Recommended diameter in round 1.02 - 8 cm 

Shito   (height:  5 - 10 cm)

• Recommended length in rectangle / oval:  3.4 - 6.7 cm
• Recommended diameter in round:  1.7 - 10 cm

One-handed

Mame (height:  5 - 15 cm)

• Recommended length in rectangle / oval:  3.4 - 10.1 cm
• Recommended diameter in round:  1.7 - 15 cm

Shohin   (height:  12 - 20 cm)

• Recommended length in rectangle / oval:  8 - 13.4
• Recommended diameter in round:  4.1 - 20 cm

Komono   (height:  15 - 25 cm)

• Recommended length in rectangle / oval:  10.1 - 16.8 cm
• Recommended diameter in round:  5.1 - 25 cm

Katade-mochi    (height:  25 - 46 cm)

• Recommended length in rectangle / oval:  16.8 - 30.8 cm
• Recommended diameter in round:  8.5 - 46 cm 

Two-handed  

Chui/Chunono   (height:  41 - 91 cm)

• Recommended length in rectangle / oval:  27.5 - 61 cm
• Recommended diameter in round :  13.9 - 91 cm

Four-handed  

• Dai/Omono  (height:  75 - 122 cm)
• Recommended diameter in round:  25.5 - 122 cm

Six-handed    

Hachi-uye  (height:  102 - 152 cm) 

• Recommended diameter in round:  34.7 - 152 cm

Eight-handed  

Imperial   (height:  152 - 203 cm)

• Recommended diameter in round:  51.7 - 203 cm

Design  

The pots design should match the degree of masculinity or femininity of your tree. The closer you get, the more harmonious the experience of your final Bonsai. 

Generally masculine pots are deep, angular, have clean lines and stout feet. A lip on the rim strengthens the masculinity, an inward rhyme reinforces the pot femininity. Feminine pots often have soft lines, delicate feet and are relatively low and sleek. Round pots, drum pots are generally considered to be androgynous.  

The most general rule when it comes to choosing the glaze for a pot is that the color should appear in the tree, either in the bark, the color of the leaves, and fruit or flowers.  Therefore, the unglazed brown, gray and earth tones are usually safe choices.  They also provide warmth and stability to the Bonsai tree.  But you can also work with contrasting colors like blue or cool green.  They provide balance and refreshes the composition