AusBonsai

Hi guys and girls,

I've been reading the forums a lot over the last couple of weeks and learning a lot. I'm keen to get my trees back on track.

After being neglected for a few years I've noticed that their soil is holding too much moisture. Plants are Chinese Elm, Port Jackson Fig and two Miniture Wisterias.

Should I repot them now into some proper bonsai soil? I know its not the best time of year but the alternative is possible root rot? Currently they are in just a general potting mix in training pots. The other thing I'm thinking is that they've lasted this long so maybe they can last another winter. Just after some experienced opinions.

Thanks very much in advance,
Luke

Fig you can do now. Best to do in the warmer months and you can give it a good root prune too. As for the Chinese elm and mini wisteria I don't have any experience with either so can't help there. Although it has been suggested that windows for repotting times are much larger than often thought.

you could probably get away with taking them out and teasing out the outer roots slightly and then repotting with some aggregate. Though, as you have said, they have lasted this long, a few more months wont hurt if you watch your watering.

Repot the fig now. They respond well to a good re-pot in warmer weather.
I'd probably leave the others for now and just water after checking they need it but be careful. The outside may be wet but inside quite dry, especially with finer mix. You can re-pot safely any time after leaf fall or leave until later in winter if you think you can manage over winter. i suspect that you could safely re-pot later in autumn but have not tried so cannot take any responsibility if it doesn't work out
If I was at all worried I'd take Naimul's advice and do a temporary re-pot even now, just replace some mix without cutting many roots.

Do the fig now definately.
As for the wisteria and elm they're best done when not in leaf, but if your just slip potting can be done now with decent sftercare


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Elms, you would would repot closer towards winter like May or early June. I repotted in November-ish when I bought it from Megumi.

Don't forget to apply seasol

Chinese elm is a vigorous tree so a light root prune and proper aftercare is fine for a gentle repot this time of the year.

Thanks very much for all the replys. Tomorrow I will repot the fig and also the elm as Brian has suggested. The wisterias I might leave for now. Thanks again

If you are concerned about repotting the elm at this time of year, then you can use an apple corer to cut a few holes through the rootball and replenish those areas with fresh potting mix.

Brian wrote:If you are concerned about repotting the elm at this time of year, then you can use an apple corer to cut a few holes through the rootball and replenish those areas with fresh potting mix.

That's a great idea!


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