Just found this fabulous old thread on Shohin display. This picture says it all!!!
If I may give a critique of this display with my thoughts. Shohin display is "display on steriods", and every little detail matters. So, as my friend MarkyScott says, we're all students here, I offer my critique so that those interested might learn a little. The box stand display is very complicated, and to make it work as a whole is very challenging. So, let's begin:
There are some problems with this display. First is the top of the box. There should only be one tree up there, no accent. Centered.
The middle row is all wrong. The small tree is on the elevated shelf, and yet it's still shorter than the tree on the left. Ideally, all the trees should be about the same size. One tree much smaller than the rest makes it look like it doesn't belong there.
The box is set up with the left shelves lower. That means the "off box" tree should be on the left.
The stand under the "off box" tree is too heavy.
The tree in the lower right has movement going out of the box. It should move towards the center of the box. Generally speaking, the box top tree should be a conifer, and be an informal upright. The middle row trees can show move movement. They should move towards the box top tree. The bottom row is usually set with more upright trees, for stability.
One final thing, the box top tree is on a relatively tall stand. The box itself is already tall, and most people would be looking up at the top tree. Placing it on yet another tall stand makes it way to high up. True, the tree is a semicascade, and looks good on a tall stand. So, I suggest it's the wrong tree for the top. It would make a good second row tree, or even better, it should be the off the box tree. None of the trees in the display are conifers, but the one that seems most appropriate for the top would be the heavy trunk ficus, the one on the left in the middle. It doesn't need a stand under it, it's already tall enough.
One more minor point: I would try to use a couple pots with more color. At least one painted pot. And there should be a conifer or two.
It's difficult to have enough of the right kinds of trees, with the right movement, in good pots, in the right season... we are all limited with what we have. I tried to explain what I saw in that display, and what things I would do a little differently.
