New pots

I don't do much trimming normally but after making a few bowls for gifts over the holidays I need some practice. Made a few bowls yesterday and trimmed them this morning.

Plectranthus ernestii

I've had this plant for about 10yrs, purchase as a branching seedling swimming in a 2in square plastic pot. It has been in that same container the entire time till a few days ago when I decided to stage it. It's not terrible hard to grow unless you live in a hot summer area (which I do). During the hotter months I keep under a bench with a northern exposure so it does not get too hot. Gets watered periodically, maybe every 3-4wks so it looks a bit dried out by the time the next drink comes around. Never fed, only freshened soil and placed back in the same container about 5yrs ago. Stays exposed to the elements during the winter where it get rained on and fattens up.

The pot is a 3in oval

Commission complete

It's taken some time but it's finally finished! Drying time at this time of the year takes so long but it does reduce the incidence of unwanted cracks in the bottom. This is a 12in diameter round container destined to support a ponderosa pine.

Now that the show is over....

...it's time to get back into the mud. Made a 14" diameter bonsai on Sunday that I'll trim up today. Got invited to a bonsai sale Dec 4th so I'll be making some shohin and mame pots this afternoon. Then I'll need to stock up for another bonsai sale in April. Stay tuned for photos of my latest creations.

Trimmed foot and texture detail

Unexpected results

Experimenting with various materials to advance my cracking textures. Most the time sand leaves a course surface


but this black reptile sand melted giving the it a smooth lava like texture. Will be doing more tested with, maybe some square or rectangles. Got lots of ideas...

My next commision, test pots

Got a request for a 14" diameter bonsai pot, he wants the fissures to golden yellow and the dark brown with a rim. After some thought I made these to see how easy/difficult it would be to create.

1st attempt the rim came out too heavy and the walls too vertical


2nd came out much better, nice round shape with a finer rim.

One more test before starting the large pot, stay tuned....