Is that a round pot? If so, the tree should be in the center.Just potted up this zelkova that I picked up at Bonsai NW. I'm liking deciduous trees more and more. Picked up the pot at a club meeting. View attachment 283910
It is round. I had it centered but the lower left branch looked dominant and when I offset it a little I thought it balanced it. When I repot I'll center it. I knew that guideline and I find it funny that I got called out right away.Is that a round pot? If so, the tree should be in the center.
Is that a round pot? If so, the tree should be in the center.
I think you center in a round pot so that there is no front and it can be viewed from any angle.I went to a Jim Barrett tree critique in January of this year and he kept repeating that a tree should never be positioned in the center of the pot because that is where Buddha sits. That phrase stuck in my head. Does this centering rule not apply to round pots and if so, why?
That makes sense if the tree has no clear front. From a balance and flow perspective, if the tree has a clear front, wouldn’t it be better to position the tree off center in a round pot to complement the trees best attributes?I think you center in a round pot so that there is no front and it can be viewed from any angle.
That's kinda what I tried to do. I like to look at Bonsai rules as guidelines that are meant to help make your tree look "right". But I'm still new so I follow them unless I don't think it makes it look good.That makes sense if the tree has no clear front. From a balance and flow perspective, if the tree has a clear front, wouldn’t it be better to position the tree off center in a round pot to complement the trees best attributes?
Did Buddha tell him that??? Lol!!!I went to a Jim Barrett tree critique in January of this year and he kept repeating that a tree should never be positioned in the center of the pot because that is where Buddha sits. That phrase stuck in my head. Does this centering rule not apply to round pots and if so, why?
Did Buddha tell him that??? Lol!!!
No, the tree should be centered. So that the roots on all sides have an equal amount of soil to grow into. Over time, the roots on one side will get weaker, and the other side will get stronger.
Even on rectangular and oval pots, the tree should be planted very close to the center of the pot. Just barely off center.
It’s time for some of these arbitrary “rules” such as this “where Buddha sits” to be debunked! Sorry, it’s just wrong!
I thought is was just for aesthetics, hadn't given a thought about root activity. It's only slightly offset so I think I'll leave it till next year then repot centered a little better. ThanksDid Buddha tell him that??? Lol!!!
No, the tree should be centered. So that the roots on all sides have an equal amount of soil to grow into. Over time, the roots on one side will get weaker, and the other side will get stronger.
Even on rectangular and oval pots, the tree should be planted very close to the center of the pot. Just barely off center.
It’s time for some of these arbitrary “rules” such as this “where Buddha sits” to be debunked! Sorry, it’s just wrong!
That was why THIS year I repotted my elm...slightly... off center. Not Buddha offensive off but still off a bit. It doesn't look satisfactory from ...all sides.I think you center in a round pot so that there is no front and it can be viewed from any angle.
There’s always a best viewing angle (front). Some trees might look good from several (or “all”) sides, but attempting to create a “no-sided” tree will result in an overall inferior one. You see, “back branches” serve an important function. They give “depth” to the visual image. And, traditionally, the apex of the tree should move forward towards the viewer. This foreshortens the trunk and aids in making the tree appear “large” when it’s actually small.I think you center in a round pot so that there is no front and it can be viewed from any angle.
Informal upright, natural style.What overall style do you want to achieve?
Informal upright and natural are two different styles.Informal upright, natural style.