AusBonsai

Ahoy!
The relentless busyness of Uni has stripped me of time to do any repotting... that was meant to be done 3 months ago...
However, I was wondering if its still safe to slip pot some Japanese Black and Japanese Red Pine 2 y.o seedlings

Here is one:
the pot is I think 7-8inches in diameter
I'm quite the pot has plenty of roots and lovely myco

(And why yes, there is an inverse taper already, thanks to my amazing ability to leave wire in for too long...)

What say all?

Slip potting or potting up is ok most times. I would still be loosening the soil around the edges of the rootball when potting to aid in the facilitation of new root growth. Its only cutting the roots at this time which will damage the tree. The after care of the newly potted tree is the most important part of the whole process. Shelter from hot sun and winds for a couple of weeks then back to normal routine. The tree will love more room.
Andrew

Boomy dont be too worried about the wire marks at this stage, you actually want it to dig abit this scarring wil help fatten the trunk sooner.at such a young age it will grow out It seems you are doing everything right there, nice movement low large sacriface while keeping small branches down low. Tree looks heathy too

Thanks heaps guys! I will probably do some slip potting this week!
Got about 30 or so of these pines to repot! All healthy and good!

Also, just wondering in regards to that particular tree in the picture I posted, there are plenty of low branches which is good, but my current hunch is that the lower branches have strengthened and lengthened to its current state, but the top is still dominant (despite my efforts to weaken it last autumn).

Should I just leave it to roll for the moment? The other 30-ish so of these pines are also in the current state

Cheers

keep that top going it will put trunk thickness on , i believe you will cut back to the top of the second bend once thickness is achieved,that top is too long and straight and serves one purpose to fatten this boy, as that top gets longer just pluck the bottom 50% of needles off as not to shade those nice low branches too much. defiantly keep the top for the next few years.

You can leave the top on mate, but just be mindful that you don't weaken the lower branches too much and lose them. They are very important. It about balancing energy.