Im bout to fill this tank with serissas
On a more serious note, i wonder if a variety of trees would work for forest, or if it needs to be all the same specie. Fukien mixed with serissas and bougainvilea could make for a sweet unorthodox layout.
Also think of putting a sepearate bowl inside to have a pond feature
Ah, Eldon Leis - and if you got it from his grandchild, you can probably guess at, or ask what year it was made. Write the year in chalk (because it is easily washed off) on the underside of the pot. Or note it somewhere, so that in the future, should you be asked, or want to sell the pot, you have the information.
I do not know Canadian potters, and I barely know a dozen USA based potters. There is a website maintained by Ryan Bell that has a great deal of information on bonsai pottery and artists, from all over the world.
You are invited to come along with me as I learn about Japanese ceramics. I will share what I learn about the kilns, history, terminology, potters, decorators, styles, and marks. This is a work in progress. ** NOTICE: I DO NOT ANSWER QUERIES ON PERSONAL PIECES. I DO NOT GIVE VALUATIONS...
modernjapanesepotterymarks.blogspot.com
Adam Holden runs a website devoted to North American potters, he would be a good one to contact. He doesn't list Eldon Leis, but he may be accumulating photos of his work. Or, if he gets photos of a few examples of his work, he might do a write up.
americanbonsaiceramics.com
I realize you don't have the big green pot anymore. It really wasn't a bad pot, but you probably upgraded in value with the trade for the Eldon Leis.
Should the question rise again: Yes, you can make a forest planting using a mixture of different trees. Fukien tea, mixed with Serissa, is actually a good mix, as leaves are similar in size but have different textures. Key when mixing species is to match leaf sizes, make sure you vary leaf textures, and put together trees that have similar horticulture needs. The last is the biggest obstacle to mixing species. It can be done, and has been done well. There are quite a few mixed forests in the permanent collection of the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, NC.
