Liquid Amber Forest- Advice needed on new purchase

[HarryBek]

Hi guys,

Firstly a little intro. Purchased a liquid amber forest a couple weeks back. The gentleman I purchased it from mentioned it would need to be re-potted, unfortunately being on call for shift work I haven't had a chance. Also, although I like to consider myself to have a green thumb, this is actually my first bonsai.

I am aware it would be too late now to re-pot this season, however I would like to start taking necessary steps to start preparing it for re-potting for next year. What would you guys recommend as my next step? Being my first bonsai, am I better off just taking it to a local bonsai specialist to start hacking away or should I just maintain it till next season and then take it?

I have attached some photos to give you an idea of where the bonsai is at. Looking forward to your input

[kcpoole]

If you do not repot this year and the tree is potbound, you may have issues with the soil not holding moister enough over summer, and thus suffereing more?
the first this is to ascertain if it is in dire need yet or is it OK

does the water pool on the surface and take ages to soak in?
Can you push a chopstick into the soil?
Does it feel hard and solid or loose and open?

Ken

[HarryBek]

Hi Ken,

Water doesn't seem to pool at all and is being readily absorbed. Also when I get consecutive hot days I intend on soaking it. The soil on the other hand is definitely not loose it does feel compacted. Didn't have a chopstick to test with however i used a precision screw driver approximately 3mm thick and it does penetrate the soil with a little bit of force.

[kcpoole]

Ok then maybe not too much of a worry then.
if anything at all, you can lift from the opt and trim off the outside 5-10 mm of root tips and soil then replace int he pot with fresh mix.

Should not be at all stressful this time of year and will give a good idea of the soil / root condition.

Ken

[HarryBek]

Sounds like a good idea.
Just a question though, rather than remove it completely from the pot, would i be able to use a 10mm diametre hole saw to drill around the edges and just back fill with soil? The reason I ask is, the bonsai seems to be wired in pretty firmly to the pot. Also you probably can't tell from the photo but it is a pretty large bonsai.