How to buy Bonsai Pots

I just spent a couple of hours going through all the potters I can think of looking for a few pots that I need. Well I am still stuck on the first pot
To start with I would like a slim rectangular pot to put a clump Hokkaido elm into Probably about 28cm x 17cm x5cm. Also maybe a couple of ovals at about 25cm -40cm
Horst pots seem to sell as quick as he can list then. Dan has many great pots on his site but nothing about how to purchase, Erin doesn't seem to have just what I want on their site nor stone monkey. But I did give up after not finding the rectangle that I wanted.
The only great potter I have bought from before is our local legend Pat Kennedy.
Can any of the potters or posters give me some advice?
I would hope I could find something in a catalog and not keen on commissioning a pot.

Brett Summers wrote:I would hope I could find something in a catalog and not keen on commissioning a pot.

I wouldn't discount that latter option. If you have a special tree and want a special pot for it, commissioning is often the best if not the only solution. I've never found it any more expensive than buying off the peg.

All of the potters you've mentioned and a lot of others too show e.mail addresses on their websites. Why not drop them a note and see what they say? I've always found the genus Potterus to be very open to approaches and more than willing to discuss possible solutions. If you elect to do that, I'd also recommend sending them a photo of the trees(s) in question along with an indication of size.

fiona wrote:

Brett Summers wrote:I would hope I could find something in a catalog and not keen on commissioning a pot.

I wouldn't discount that latter option. If you have a special tree and want a special pot for it, commissioning is often the best if not the only solution. I've never found it any more expensive than buying off the peg.

All of the potters you've mentioned and a lot of others too show e.mail addresses on their websites. Why not drop them a note and see what they say? I've always found the genus Potterus to be very open to approaches and more than willing to discuss possible solutions. If you elect to do that, I'd also recommend sending them a photo of the trees(s) in question along with an indication of size.

I couldn't agree more, and the hardest pot to find is the one that's exactly what you're looking for. As for commissioning pots, I've done it before and I'm going it again right now. I've never found one potter that wasn't up for the challenge, and if they're too busy or not interested they'll tell you. And as you've noticed, there are plenty of fish in the sea!

It is not really a special pot that I am after! The main thing is I am some distance from any bonsai retailer and only a few weeks away from repotting I want to put a few trees into their first bonsai pot and realise none of the "cheap" pots I have are big enough.
I am making the 3 hour drive to my local club on the weekend and the bonsai retailer there is not really a retail business anymore and probably won't have what I am after.
So I thought It might be a great idea to buy a few good quality pots from the same potter saving on postage to Australia and I would think there would not be enough time for commissioned pots. Also I don't feel confident commissioning a pot for these trees not being 100% sure exactly what I am after.
So basicly I was looking to be an impulse buyer but found my joy replaced with frustration in trying to find someone to buy from.

I guess you could call me slack if you like but after 2 hours of searching I started thinking there must be a better way.
Thanks for your responses though

pots and stands seem to be a common hardship. No matter how many you have to select from, there doesn't seem to be just the right one for the right situation or purpose. So I can appreciate your position of a long drive
which may end up not meeting your needs.

If it's any consolation, I have access to a pretty good bonsai nursery half an hour away. Most japanese pots are
fewer in selection because of the cost, while the cost and quality of chinese is much better, I still can't find the one I'm looking for.......what I've discovered over the years is, as i learn more about a better fit of pot and tree,
the knowledge is constantly being refined, hence the old pots don't "cut" it anymore.

so have parience, you'll need it for this hobby anyway.

last week had a chatline friend from Aussieland come visit. Our common bond is Koi, and with restrictions on what you can have and where, plus no access to state of the art pond needs, I can appreciate that it makes things difficult to find what you need. he was delighted to see his money going furthur against the dollar here in the states. was like a kid at christmas in our area koi pond suppliers. found out it only takes him a week under regular post to get his orders from here to there.

[quote="Brett Summers"]It is not really a special pot that I am after! /quote]

Why not Brett?

Unless I misunderstood your comments, it would seem that that is exactly what you want. Your have taken the time to search the web without satisfaction and posted your question here for debate.

Here is my advise, if your trees have not developed to the stage that they are special and unique and would warrant an appropriate bonsai container then just grow them boxes.

On the other hand, if you have developed your trees into special and unique bonsai then you should search out a special and unique pot to put them in.

As Russell said earlier, "the hardest pot to find is the one that's exactly what you're looking for."

Good luck with your search.

Cheers,
Paul

Hey Paul

What I mean by not special pots is that I don't think what I am after is anything unusual in size or style. Just some great quality.
The fact is that if I was close to our city I would head to a nursery that buys pots by the container and chances are I could fill most of my need quite cheaply. Since I won't be near the city as hoped I came up with the idea of searching online with the bonus of getting some great pots.
We all do things differently and I find I like to put a tree in a pot to get a feeling of how it all works and then have a better idea on what really works for the tree.
I would feel much more confident buying a pot that I can look at than I would describing a pot to be commissioned in this instance. Also if I had that time I might just make it myself.

Maybe I am asking too much but anyway here are a few trees I am after pots for.
I think ovals about 300mm will work for the first two
I am thinking a slim rectangle for the hokiado elm clump
And a light rectangle about 380mm for the firethorn
Would not expect to get one mialed overseas but I would also like a 600-600mm rectangle for the big elm

Thanks for your thoughts Dick,
I do feel I run the risk of the pots not suiting the trees. I think the best way is to take the tree to the pots and select that way. But I am sure a few great quality pots would not go to waste if they where not quite right for what I had in mind

It is my firm belief that a bonsai hobbyist can't have enough money or empty pots.

I too have a big problem of finding the pots I want. Most websites sell similar products. The nice ones are normally sold out and/or out of stock. Does anyone know of a well stocked supplier in the US?

Hi Brett

As promised here are a couple of rectangles that might be suitable for the Hokkaido elm.



27.5 x 19 x 5.5 cm


27.5 x 17.5 x 5.5 cm

Cheers
Vic

Thanks Vic they are great
I did find something for the Hokkaido that will do for now.


But I love that first pot and will Pm you to see what we can arrange

Ebbtide wrote:I too have a big problem of finding the pots I want. Most websites sell similar products. The nice ones are normally sold out and/or out of stock. Does anyone know of a well stocked supplier in the US?

Well it depends upon what you are willing to do. I see a lot of nice pots at bonsai shows. I know Dale gets to the east coast now and then. The Monastery of the Holy Spirit at www.bonsaimonk.com has nice Japanese pots at appropriate prices. I know an importer of Chinese pots that gets in a shipment now and then.