What Are Bonsai Training Pots Used For?

You can train your Bonsai tree into almost any shape.

Patient gardeners meticulously train bonsai trees to achieve a particular shape. Although bonsai trees grow slowly due to lack of soil and moisture, their root system needs room to spread. A well-cared-for bonsai tree can live for generations.

Facts

Bonsai training pots reduce the growth of the tree. The small pots, typically about 4 inches tall, do not allow the tree to reach its full size potential.

Steps

Gardeners initially grow bonsai seedlings in a "grow box," then transfer the tree to a "training pot" where the thicker tree can grow the finer "feeder" roots it needs to survive a long life. Finally, the gardener transplants the tree into the "bonsai pot."

Description

Most training pots feature screened sides, which help the roots develop more finely than if enclosed in a traditional pot. You may purchase a bonsai training pot, make your own, or just use a basket typically used for housing pond plants.

References

• Knowledge of Bonsai: Grow Boxes and Training Pots
• Washington State University: Garden Mastery Tips-Bonsai
• University of Georgia College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences: Bonsai, An Ancient Art