Page 30 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

30 Bonsai basics

Masculine and feminine combinations “Thick trunks, heavy
Bonsai are often described in terms of masculine or
feminine, and this concept can be extremely useful to branches, and deadwood
consider when selecting a pot. Masculine trees exude
a sense of power, solidity, majesty, and strength; features are typical of
feminine trees are slimmer and more delicate, masculine trees”
often with finer branching and greater use
of negative space. Of course, your tree may
fit somewhere in between. Ask yourself
questions to determine its most
dominant characteristics—Is the
tree visually heavy? Does it fill
a lot of space, or is there plenty
of negative space within the
composition? Does it have
dramatic movement or
a powerful character?—
and then choose
a pot that reflects
or enhances them.

Branches have yet
to fill out but try to
consider how well
the combination
will balance when
the tree is larger

The hexagonal shape, sharp
lines, and large lip all add
a sense of visual weight
Dramatic heavy
deadwood in
Pots with decoration the trunk; there
is a lot of wood
such as frames, scalloped in a small space
corners, and belts all add
weight to the composition
and can help achieve visual
balance. You don’t want to Internal frame
suggests the
overpower the tree, but the
pot contains
pot must be adequate to a powerful tree
contain and support the tree.