Repotting for Acer Trees

[jwishbone]

Hi guys

I bought this Acer Tree (which I will need assitance to be ID'd) from a nursery

probabaly a metre tall and Ive cut it down to a manageable size. No leaf pruning as it still didnt have any leaves when I got it.

so only the last 2 weeks leaves have sprouted and I have trimmed the large leaves back.


My question is:

the soil is fairly compact and it is not draining well and I want to move it to another pot with fresh soil. Am I able to do it now with some root prunning as well.. after chopping its trunk down.

or

to take a step further.. can I put more pressure on the tree by trimming its root system to put in a bonsai pot (whilst instinct says change to growing pot for another year at least?)

thanks guys.

[Jordy]

you need to take a few photos for us to completely assess the situation for you.

but it sounds to me like you have the Maple in a standard plastic pot i assume?

so it should grow quite well until the growing season has finished.
do not repot it yet, it should survive even if it is potbound.
I say do not repot yet, as it is too far into spring 'the growing season' and you could do some serious damage to your tree if you root prune now.

I'm assuming that because you've bought it from a nursery, it is not set in bonsai soil and hence why your water will not drain.
(bonsai soil is typically some mix of: a rough aggregate EG. Attapulgite, Sharp Sand, Sphagnum Moss, or Loam and is DESIGNED TO DRAIN)
Common planter Soil will not drain as it lacks aggregates found in Bonsai Mix, so you've probably been overwatering your Maple if you've been watering everyday.

I hope this helps you somewhat!

Jordy


EDIT:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you really want to give it some fresh soil and room to grow, i would suggest doing the same thing Japh has done with his Chinese Elm,
(found here: http://www.potensai.com/featured/migrat ... -grow-box/ )

and Replant your Maple into a grow box, WITHOUT disturbing the root ball at all, as you don't want to give your tree a nasty shock, that way its roots will have room to breathe and stretch within the confines of the grow box you choose.

Then you can repot next winter or whenever you believe your tree is bocoming dormant once again.

[jwishbone]

yes ive attached my progess photos

im just hesitant to disturb the roots at this time

so it is recommended that root pruning and re-potting to be done during end of winter?

what about pruning branches and leaves.. which season is best recommended?



yess its not set in bonsai soil.. just the standard potting mix that they come in... this is not from a bonsai nursery at all.... =)

and you are right I have been watering it everyday.. how often would you suggest? 3 times in 7 days? or when the soil starts to look dry?

should I add fertiliser to it??


Thanks so much for your help Jordy =)

[jwishbone]

...also it looks like that the roots are running out of room...

dats why I ask the question whether i shoudl repot now or wait for the next season....

[kvan64]

...also it looks like that the roots are running out of room...

dats why I ask the question whether i shoudl repot now or wait for the next season....

Hi, found this in Craig Coussins' handbook of bonsai:

Mapples (Acer)
Repot - 2-3 years in early spring
Pruning - anytime for shoots; branches in late winter to midsummer
Wiring - late winter to midsummer
Beware - wire marks in late spring; aphids
Cheers

DK

[alpineart]

Hi jwishbone , It looks to me as if you have an Acer Negundo , Box Alder is another name .Knock it out of the pot root prune by 50 - 60 % taking the majority off the bottom ,tease the root out with a root rake and trim to fit into the same pot and repot the tree in the uppermost of the pot , top 70mm.These trees are very hardy and rampant in growth ,trim foliage back to a single set of leaves and keep a close eye on the growth pinching the tips after every set of new leaves firm up .Cheers

[Bretts]

Slight correction for you Alpine I believe the common name is spelt Box elder or Boxelder I used to call them Alder as well but the international guys thought I was speaking of the alder species and I was a little red faced when they wanted a picture of it

[jwishbone]

Thank you guys heaps....

very helpful info!!!

[jwishbone]

... keep a close eye on the growth pinching the tips after every set of new leaves firm up .Cheers

do you mean pinch out the new shoots that comes out???

howcome? what would that do to the growth??


sorry for the dumb questions.. been out of bonsaing for like 5 years...

[Jordy]

Ah, there you go

with an Acer Negundo, you should have minimal problems having a root prune and repot at this time in the spring

Glad you got around to posting those photos for us!
and if i may say so, thats quite a nice compact nebari going on there!

I recommend you research bonsai soil mixes and repot that Maple ASAP

A Good Free Draining Bonsai Mix to start with is:

• Two Parts - Attapulgite, 100% Clay Cat Litter.
• One Part - Sphagnum Moss
• One Part - Loam

and make sure you dont fertilise until it has been in the new pot 2 - 3 weeks

[Jordy]

By pinching out the new growth, it makes the tree focus on new root growth,
and healing where you have trimmed, therefore it wastes less of its energy on new growth.

And do you understand where to pinch an Acer?
if not, here you are:

if you pinch too close too close to the two stems from the next leaves down from the leader then those two leaves will die off.
So you need to be pinching right behind the leading leaf. If that makes sense?

Cant post an explanatory pic unfortunately, as i'm at Tafe, Blocked uploads.
If you don't understand, tell me and I will try to post one later.


Jordy

[jwishbone]

I think I understand what you are saying?? hehe


also when you say repot do you mean.. repot into a bonsai pot (which will require a good amount of root pruning - 50% off)

or repot it to another plastic pot (with pruning a little bit of the roots) so it has new soil... with better drainage????


If I prune roots to go into a bonsai pot...Will the plant be able to tolerate heavy root pruning ..... keeping in mind that Ive just pruned the branches down 3-4 weeks ago???

im trying to play it safe..

Thanks again...

[Japh]

also when you say repot do you mean.. repot into a bonsai pot (which will require a good amount of root pruning - 50% off)

or repot it to another plastic pot (with pruning a little bit of the roots) so it has new soil... with better drainage????


If I prune roots to go into a bonsai pot...Will the plant be able to tolerate heavy root pruning ..... keeping in mind that Ive just pruned the branches down 3-4 weeks ago???

Judging by Alpine's post, I'd say root prune about 50% off, and re-pot back into the same pot. I'd also perhaps suggest that you use 50% soil mix that Jordy suggested, with 50% of the original soil, just to prevent root shock. If the tree has lived it's whole life in a certain soil type, it may not like to be re-potted into a completely different mix

[Jordy]

Repot into whichever you think, i'm not sure how big you want it to be, heres your options

A) Bonsai Pot - If it is already the ideal size you want, and you just want it to get some more branches
and work on taper, then i would recommend you pot it into a bonsai pot.

B) Planter Box - If you believe it still needs some growing, then i would plant it into a Polystyrene Box or
similar size planter, just so its roots can grow out and hence fatten it up, and make him grow

C) What Japh said! (i'd go with this one )

Up to you now! Good Luck!

Jordy

[jwishbone]

Awesome!

The size is pretty ideal....


BUt I might play it safe and follow option C.. to ensure that I reduce the shock

then next year he can move it to a nice snuggly bonsai pot! hehe



Thanks guys!!!