Thoughts on Pots for ficus

Paradox

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Ok here are some pics for your viewing pleasure

The tree in question: cute lil Willow leaf

WLF_May2021_1sm.jpg WLF_May2021_2sm.jpg

Of the pots I have here are my two choices, or get something else

Choice one is about the right diameter IMO, but might be a bit deep which might be good for such a small ficus to prevent drying out too fast.

WLF_potchoice1sm.jpg

Choice 2, a much shorter pot but its an oval and might be too wide (IMO). Might be too short as well honestly.
And I forgot to put the tape measure back in there for this picture

WLF_potchoice2sm.jpg
 
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LanceMac10

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....set the filter lowest to highest.....some shapes, sizes and glazes to contemplate.....



Your choices here for your Willow seem a bit "heavy" and either too deep or too wide. Unglazed square/rectangle maybe with a slight lip and a bit more ornate foot design.
 

sorce

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Might be too short as well honestly

I like that width but the depth could be half that, like to the line.

Don't know about Willow leaf, but ficus have mechanisms to deal with drying roots that other trees don't have, the tubers, the ability to "stop" an aerial root when it's dry, then continue to grow it when it's humid again.

I wouldn't be worried about too shallow at all.

I think people generally pot about 20/30% not wide enough.

Sorce
 

Paradox

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....set the filter lowest to highest.....some shapes, sizes and glazes to contemplate.....



Your choices here for your Willow seem a bit "heavy" and either too deep or too wide. Unglazed square/rectangle maybe with a slight lip and a bit more ornate foot design.

yea Im not completely happy with either of the pots I pictured for this tree.
 

Paradox

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I like that width but the depth could be half that, like to the line.

Don't know about Willow leaf, but ficus have mechanisms to deal with drying roots that other trees don't have, the tubers, the ability to "stop" an aerial root when it's dry, then continue to grow it when it's humid again.

I wouldn't be worried about too shallow at all.

I think people generally pot about 20/30% not wide enough.

Sorce


Willow leaf doesnt have "tubers" like Ginsing do. They have regular old roots.
 

LanceMac10

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yea Im not completely happy with either of the pots I pictured for this tree.


 

Paradox

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I dont think a rectangle is the right shape for this tree. It doesnt have a heavy masculine trunk
 

sorce

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They have regular old roots.

I doubted it so I went looking, can't find any written information, but pics seem to show the "reverse taper" in roots that make me think tuber.

I do believe with certain soil and watering habits, they can be prevented.

Either way I would give them the benefits of the aerial root capabilities.

Certainly not worry about half that pot being too short!

Sorce
 

LanceMac10

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If I had plastic, I would have already bought it!
 

Paradox

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I doubted it so I went looking, can't find any written information, but pics seem to show the "reverse taper" in roots that make me think tuber.

I do believe with certain soil and watering habits, they can be prevented.

Either way I would give them the benefits of the aerial root capabilities.

Certainly not worry about half that pot being too short!

Sorce

What you are seeing is a very large root. I think this tree was originally sucker that was on a the root of a larger tree. At least thats what it looks like.
The grower just shaped it then severed the main root once it was big enough
 

sorce

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I was looking at others.

img_2514.jpg

Meh
..I guess it doesn't even matter except for if they do...keep doing what you've been doing to prevent them nasty summummabytches!

Note...I wasn't even thinking of ginseng, I thought those were grafted? But Benjamin.
Not them "tuber tubers" like on the mallsai.

Sorce
 

Paradox

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I was looking at others.

View attachment 374842

Meh
..I guess it doesn't even matter except for if they do...keep doing what you've been doing to prevent them nasty summummabytches!

Note...I wasn't even thinking of ginseng, I thought those were grafted? But Benjamin.
Not them "tuber tubers" like on the mallsai.

Sorce
Yea Ficus can get some really narly circling roots on them. Saw one once that had 2 half circles, one on each side.
Over time I am going to reduce and eliminate the big left over root on mine
 

Brian Van Fleet

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A few I would consider. Also, looks like some wires are biting in...

F7C82C00-5F5A-4105-90BE-21F2AEB947F2.pngC617B099-1D84-48F2-A81D-8C1D8FDEC74A.pngB4581AF4-8F48-4C1B-9A6B-A8D1AEB3460B.pngCA980BF4-95FB-4F36-AC5B-83F02409FB8C.png7D45BB4E-6C47-4189-BD66-CB7B1AB2F7FA.png





 

JackHammer

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kinda funny when someone posts and the pot is garnering more interest than the tree itself, is that really how it should be. not so sure. a few years ago when i was fairly new and looking for a pot for my best elm, a wise man said: ' i like a pot that makes the tree the star, understated'

ive always stuck with that mantra, and i think thats why plain brown 'earthy' pots are a great, universal match for nearly every tree.

each to their own, i never really got into the pot addiction, i prefer to spend more on the tree and pair it with a less expensive but decent enough understated pot.

couple Erin pots i put up for sale yest, these in my view are good quality understated pots that the tree can shine in, fairly cheap too.
Where do I find Erin's pots?
 

Lorax7

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Color-wise, I think it would look good in a glazed blue or glazed yellow ochre pot or an unglazed medium to dark brown pot. That's just my eye and my personal preferences talking though. I'm quite ignorant of whatever "the rules" are supposed to be for bonsai pots.
 
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