V. POTTING THE TREE
A. Prepare the correct size and style container.
1. Generally an oval or rectangular unglazed container
with little or no ornamentation is best to harmonize
with the style of the tree.
2. A formal upright bonsai with a tall and thin trunk
may look best in a shallow, round container.
3. Its depth ratio should be between 1 and 2 times the
diameter of the trunk at its base.
4. Container length should be equal to 2/3 the height of
the tree.
5. Container may be a slab.
B. Prepare appropriate soil mix.
C. Install screening over drain holes and one or two tie
down wires to hold the tree securely in the pot.
D. Decide on the tree’s location in the pot. The base of the
trunk should be sightly off-center to the rear and to the
left or right of center, depending on branch location and
visual mass. Place the greater mass over the wider
expanse of soil.
E. Remove soil and roots from the rear and from the left or
right side depending on placement.
F. Remove soil and roots from the remainder of the root
mass to permit placement in the pot.
G. Remove no more root mass than necessary to get the tree
comfortably into the new bonsai container.