The pot is a major part of the aesthetic of the plant as a whole and
must reflect that. Both practical and aesthetic factors need to be
considered. For a pot to be practically suitable for your plant it
should:
Be large enough to allow the roots to develop over two years, but
not so large that the roots can become waterlogged.
Be frost proof (for Outdoor varieties) and have enough drainage
holes.
Usually be shallow, but should be deeper if the tree has fruit
which requires more water, or if it is a cascading variety, in
which case the pot is narrow and deep.
Aesthetic factors are more open to interpretation as it depends on
your own style and taste, but there are some general guidelines:
The pot should balance the trees height and spread. Between two
thirds and three quarters of the trees height or width (depending
on which feature is dominant) is generally considered appropriate.
Denser foliage also requires a slightly deeper pot.
Pots and trees can be considered male or female. An oval or round
pot is more feminine, and therefore suited to more delicate trees.
Pots with strong edges suit trees with a more masculine look.
Trees in oval or rectangular pots look more natural when set to
one side of the pot, in the ratio 1:2. A tree with a slanted trunk
should also be set slightly to one side so that the bulk of the
tree is centered rather than the base.
The outside of the pot can be glazed or unglazed. An unglazed pot
with earthy tones is usually recommended but a skillfully chosen
colour can enhance the beauty of the tree.
