Thanks Rick. I have one that might work but it's quite shallow. Also I am not particularly thrilled with the form on PD, it needs to be hung so I can spread her roots out, some are bending in and it doesn't look right.

Here are my two Maneeratana. I like the bigger ones shape but the leaves are a mess right now. Also what do you think of this pot.

I have an email in to a local bonsai dealer waiting on a reply. He is open by appointment only but maybe I can get in today.

Thoughts on these?

This pot is 13" in diameter which would be perfect. The one it is in now is 12" and it somewhat of a tight space.

Are you trying to avoid trimming the roots, Tracy? That's what I would do.

Pagan I wouldn't feel safe planting it immediately if I cut the roots right now, would need to hang the plant. Which is fine, but now I need to find a different entry for specimen. What do you think of the first Maneeratana? Are the leaves too messed up to enter? Kind of thin and flimsy. The second plant the leaves are nice but the caudex is very small, making the form less dreamy. Please help.

Is it only a few of the leaves on the larger of the Maneeratana's that are burnt looking?

If it is and would not change too much. You could trim them off. Dab with towel to stop sap from running down the branch.

I like both of them, but the smaller may be overpowered by the pot.

Will this pot be deep enough for the larger tree?

You know, if you get a chance to go into the Bonsai dealers place. You could always drop that you are entering your trees in a C&S Show and possibly you could display some of his/her pots w your trees. Not to offend and still interested in purchasing. Never know.

Rick

I think the first one has a better look overall. If you're potting them for presentation, then trimming should not be a problem---you can hang them later, after the competition. Just for today or whenever the show is, you can spray the plant before putting it in moist (but not wet) substrate.

In fact, you should make a special mix just this once, that will not have soil or organic material that you can wash first. Less chance of contamination.

I am thinking of using this one instead. It does fit. What do you think?

Better. Just skim the top inch off and replace it with top dressing.

First time through with top dressing. I will clear the caudex off once I soak it in and the granite settles.

Nice. That definitely works.

Thanks Pagan! I am feeling much better about both entries now thanks to you and Rick's assistance. I am going to have to invest in some show pots if I am going to do this again next year. I will share some pictures offer I get the Manee top dressed.

Tracy

Do you think I need to remove some soil from the Somalense's pot? Is the dressing too high?

It looked nice with the bulbous part of the caudex showing, Tracy. Not sure if you can do this still?

Rick

Yes I am going to unbury the caudex, thanks Rick. Your help has been fantastic and so very appreciated.

Our show starts setup on Thursday of this week. The judging occurs Friday. We open to the public all day Sat and Sun. I am putting 20 plants in the sale.

So much to do to get ready.

Jeez. Because I jumped in the middle of this conversation, for some reason I thought this show started today!

I hope you'll take photos during the show and post them. Hopefully in a new thread!

Sorry I didn't tell you sooner Pagan. The paperwork for entry was due today. I had to know the size of the plant and pot and the class entry so this is why the haste. I will start a new forum post for the show and my entries and put a hyperlink at the end of this long picture heavy topic less meandering thread.

Trace, I have a deadline-driven core lol Even other people's deadlines make me antsy.

The guy that sells pots in the area, about 30 miles from here got back to me with some nice choices based on my size criteria, very specific. I like the 3rd one. Or the fourth? It's a wee bit deeper.

The 3rd one has a unique shape, Tracy. It is shallower than the fourth. Is it about 3" deep?

Rick

Yes I like the shape on it too. The inside dimensions are 13.5x3.25 inches. I was hoping for 4 inches deep but I can make this work.

It is tuff w these pots/bowls. At the Market I posted photo's of. They have some beautiful ones such as yours, but I wished that many I liked where deeper.

it is a beautiful pot.

Rick

I emailed to see if he has anything deeper before I make a selection.

I do like a nice pot. The last picture look like nice bonsai rounds. If they are quality bonsai pots then they should be vitrified, fired until the clay changes character and absorbs little or no water. Depending on the clay that happens between cone 6 and 10 higher maybe for stoneware or porcelain. Those are not porcelain. Vitrified also means frost proof, not that you care if it's for an adenium. The reason they are not deeper is a bonsai aesthetic.

Oh and the last one, definitely like the last one best. The smaller holes are helpful for running wire through to anchor plant or wire branches

So he does have a deeper pot style rather than dish style. I am heading over there in the morning. I slightly miscalculated the drive, its 55 miles away. Yes (crap!) Thanks for your input all.

Tracy

Talking to anyone outside of Texas is funny. Here, we drive 55 miles and cross 2 counties, if that.

I'm in North bexar county so I could drive into Comal and mostly through hays county in 55 miles, but point taken. In west texas there are much bigger counties. In Europe they can drive through countries in that kind of time, texas is actually much larger than all of the UK. 110 miles is an acceptable distance for a nice bonsai pot. Go for it. Since they tend to be well made with matured vitrified clay, you shouldn't get any of those mineral stains that low fired Terra cota pots get, and they won't fall apart after a few years either. And are frost proof well below 0 degrees.

Score

I like that square one!

I like all of them but the one in the front is my favorite.. and i like the bowl looking one.

Manteeratanas leaves turned yellow. This is attempt number 3 at my specimens, Dino King. Is there too much top dressing?

The bonsai pot in front will be nice For an adenium. Glazed, rounded, curves.

I like all the pot, I am a pot person.

Marie

Switched out the top dressing for some I bought today. Some of these leaves are browning too.Many of the pots I bought today are for using next year.

My favorite!!

If I didn't already have the seedling staged I would use this glazed lotus pot but have 20 plants to prep for sale and in behind schedule due the road trip. Thanks for your input. New thread with show pictures to follow.

How much did the pot guy want for the large round - furthest right in your picture above

I paid 30 for that one Todd, the creme colored deep one. The 13 inch round (far right) I bought the whole set so I can enter the group classes next year. Definitely glad I made the trip. I spent more than planned but much less than ordering online and paying shipping.

Tracy

Todd I just re-read and noticed you were asking about the 13" far right not the other. It was $60 and I paid $75 for 3 matching smaller. He did give me 10% off for buying so many. Always pays to ask!

Those are good prices. Nice pots are pricey. Good work

Thanks Todd. I can't say enough good things about the place. He had a room full of awesome pottery to choose from! Cass Bonsai is the name of the business. I like the 13 inch bowl, it fits the Dino King nicely. It is a little plain but finely made and imported from Japan. I can't wait to use the matching set next year! I will need to get some better photos to post too, this one doesn't do them justice.

The show is open to the public this weekend starting Saturday, but the show judging begins early on Friday morning. I am taking my plants in Thursday at noon to get in line to stage them and help prep for the show.

Interesting fact: the seedling I am showing in the brown lotus bowl is an Adenium somalense, seed batch sibling to your two A. somalenses Sandy.

Cool.. I know you will do well. All your plants are show plants :) Can't wait for the pictures.. GOOD LUCK!!

Those pots are so nice. Would love perusing through a place like this.

Nice choices, Tracy. Wish I could be at the show. It would make for a great day.

Sure you will show your plants well. Cannot wait to see your photo's.

Take a pano shot or video and put on FB page.

Rick

Thanks Rick. I will definitely share some photos of the event. I took a few more pictures of my pots. The last photo is the smallest of the 4 pot set all matching.

Tracy

Very impressive pots. I would be in my glory with those. Nice to find someone that you can get these from.

Have a great next few days and best of luck w you plants.

Rick

Pagan I almost forgot, this is what my happy roots look like. Couldn't clean them (sorry) since I was potting it for sale. The bags are producing the largest root balls. This is the plant with the pretty leaves but tiny caudex.

That's just meanly tantalizing, Tracy lol Have fun and kick ass tonight, though! (tonight is the judging, yes?)

Pagan

Thanks Pagan. Yes the judging was this evening, I find out results at the opening ceremony tomorrow morning at 8:30am. The plants there are fabulous, this is certainly going to be a great learning experience for me.