AusBonsai

Hi all, I'm after some advice on potting my trident grouping to a bonsai pot from a nursery pot. I have the bonsai mix as per the photo and was wondering what steps to take or if I should even attemp this at this time of the year. Input would be appreciated.
Thx

Should transplant when its winter time while they aren't growing

If it were mine I'd leave it in the pot it's currently in to allow more growth/development. I'd be feeding it still now but not huge amounts. I would consider moving to a larger pot like it's in now during winter.


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Here's the thing Barber. There is no right answer to your question just lots more questions.
It is generally accepted that the best time to repot deciduous trees is late winter but I have done successful repots in summer so it can be done, especially if you are not cutting off much root. My advice for a beginner would be to wait until July or August. At that time of year you can cut roots back quite short and remove any that are not contributing to a good nebari (all the same height on the trunk and radiating out from the trunk in all directions)

HOWEVER, As angus alludes to - when you put it into a small, shallow pot it will slow growth down considerably so are you happy with the shape and size of your tree? If you pot it now it will still look a lot like this in 5 years or so. If you'd rather have a stronger looking bonsai with some real branches then the quickest way to get it is to put this tree into a LARGER pot so it can grow and develop quicker then when it looks good put it into a bonsai tray. Best time for that is also late winter when you can prune the roots (see above)
Most beginners need to get a tree in a bonsai pot so they can say they own a bonsai. If this is you then put this one into the bonsai pot but get another 1 or 2 and grow them on so you will have some really good trees when you have learnt enough to realise that this one is not a very good bonsai yet.

Steps to potting a bonsai:
1. Cover holes with mesh so the mix does not fall through. You might also consider putting a tie wire through the holes so you can secure the tree in the pot when you have put the mix in place. Some ALWAYS tie trees in but I only do it to the ones I think might fall over or blow out.
2. Turn the tree out of its current pot. Comb, cut and wash the mix off the roots.
3. Cut any down pointing roots off completely. Shorten any horizontal roots.
4 Place some potting mix in the pot. Place the tree in the appropriate spot and cover the roots with more mix.
5 Water well then place your bonsai in an area protected from strong wind and really hot sun.
Water as needed and feed every 2-3 weeks while it has leaves on.

You should be able to find all this info in the wiki - look for the button in the header above.

Thank you all for your responses, especially Shibui. I think I'll just put them straight into a larger nursery pot for a while until they become more substantial.
Brad

check out the howto on Repotting trees in the wiki here.
https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... t_a_bonsai

Ken

Thanks Ken, will do.

I'd put it in a much larger pot as well. Maples esp look better when they have thicker trunks. I purchased my first 7 years ago and only potted it properly 2 years ago. Now it's trunk is some 1.5 inches wide.