To any and all bonsai enthusiasts out there, I am in the process creating my own bonsai pot but just need a bit of further advice on this as I am at a stage where I would rather not make a mistake!

I have been working on this piece for nearly a year now and it is in my opinion close to completion.

1) How many drainage holes would you advise to put in the potting section for this particular piece it is roughly 20mm in depth.

2) would you advise fixing the river bed stones to the river and use real water or just create a poly-resin model river?

3) what soil is best to use in such a shallow pot?

All advice is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks

Your conscience
Jimneykricket

1- One big hole with mesh

2- real water

3- it depends on the tree, but a 2mm to 4mm draining bonsai soil should do

Interesting design. I wonder if it isn't too big and if the tree you're going to put in that small space will not be lost in this large pot.

I would consider drilling some extra (small) holes to thread wire through, so you can fix the tree to the pot.

Thank you both for the reply it will be a nice feature once I have accomplished my vision but it is a long way to being a masterpiece I would like it to be!

I tried something like this in it before just to see what it would be like and I do believe it would work especially with real water in the river!

If the ficus gets enough humidity to grow aerial roots above the river I don’t think the pot will drown the tree out just accentuate it.

So having work on your advice guys, I have made a 17mm drainage hole and 4x 6mm hole to secure the tree to the pot.

I have placed my stones in the river bed to see if the placement looks natural, what are you thought and any suggestions on improvements?

Thanks

Looks very nice and the holes are OK, congrats!

Now I can get the tree and focus on creating the planting now thank you again for the advice.

I hope to be able to update with a bit more of a finish piece.

Would you recommend cementing the larger stones to the river bed?

JimneyKricket wrote: So having work on your advice guys, I have made a 17mm drainage hole and 4x 6mm hole to secure the tree to the pot

Another 17mm drainage hole wouldn´t hurt either and I´ll even dare to affirm that should be necessary. Other than that... It´s an interesting idea this pot... When are you planning to plant a tree in it?

Alain

So 1 more 17mm drainage hole on the other side of the planting section?!

Would you cement the larger stones down to the pot and I am not sure as to whether I should train the tree a little before planting it or whether I should plant it and train it to the pot as I plan on keeping it in there for as long as Is possible!

What would you recommend?