How to Repot Bonsai Trees
Determine when your bonsai needs to be re-potted., Pick the right time of year for repotting your plant., Remove the old soil from the tree's roots., Remove some of the bonsai tree's roots., Reposition the tree in its pot., Water the bonsai tree.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Determine when your bonsai needs to be re-potted.
The primary reason for re-potting a bonsai tree is when its root system begins to choke itself off.
To determine whether or not this is happening, gently lift the entire tree from its pot.
If the roots have begun circling around themselves, you need to re-pot.
Eventually the roots will grow thick enough to displace all of the soil within the root system, and the tree will starve. -
Step 2: Pick the right time of year for repotting your plant.
Repotting should ideally be performed in early spring.
At this time, the tree is not under the pressure of maintaining full foliage, and thus will be subject to less of a shock by repotting.
The vigorous growth that begins in spring will also help the plant to heal any damage caused through repotting. , Once you have lifted the tree from its pot and decided to repot it, you'll need to remove as much of the old soil as possible.
Knock the soil out of the root system either using your fingers or a specialized tool called a root hook.
Gently disentangle the roots if they have grown thickly together. , After untangling the roots, prune back some of the longer ones to keep the tree from outgrowing its pot.
At this point, you should also remove any roots that appear to be rotting.
As a general rule, avoid removing more than 25 percent of the tree's total mass of roots. , When the roots are trimmed, gently lower the tree back into the pot.
Fill the pot to the brim with your desired potting mix.
Work the soil into the root structure so that there are no air pockets remaining between the roots.
A typical bonsai potting mix will consist of akadama, gravel, and compost in about a 2-1-1 ratio.
Akadama is a special kind of granular clay produced especially for potting bonsai trees.
You may need to adjust this ratio depending on your climate and tree species. , Watering the tree after repotting will help the soil to settle.
Keep the tree protected from strong winds for a month or so after repotting. -
Step 3: Remove the old soil from the tree's roots.
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Step 4: Remove some of the bonsai tree's roots.
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Step 5: Reposition the tree in its pot.
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Step 6: Water the bonsai tree.
Detailed Guide
The primary reason for re-potting a bonsai tree is when its root system begins to choke itself off.
To determine whether or not this is happening, gently lift the entire tree from its pot.
If the roots have begun circling around themselves, you need to re-pot.
Eventually the roots will grow thick enough to displace all of the soil within the root system, and the tree will starve.
Repotting should ideally be performed in early spring.
At this time, the tree is not under the pressure of maintaining full foliage, and thus will be subject to less of a shock by repotting.
The vigorous growth that begins in spring will also help the plant to heal any damage caused through repotting. , Once you have lifted the tree from its pot and decided to repot it, you'll need to remove as much of the old soil as possible.
Knock the soil out of the root system either using your fingers or a specialized tool called a root hook.
Gently disentangle the roots if they have grown thickly together. , After untangling the roots, prune back some of the longer ones to keep the tree from outgrowing its pot.
At this point, you should also remove any roots that appear to be rotting.
As a general rule, avoid removing more than 25 percent of the tree's total mass of roots. , When the roots are trimmed, gently lower the tree back into the pot.
Fill the pot to the brim with your desired potting mix.
Work the soil into the root structure so that there are no air pockets remaining between the roots.
A typical bonsai potting mix will consist of akadama, gravel, and compost in about a 2-1-1 ratio.
Akadama is a special kind of granular clay produced especially for potting bonsai trees.
You may need to adjust this ratio depending on your climate and tree species. , Watering the tree after repotting will help the soil to settle.
Keep the tree protected from strong winds for a month or so after repotting.
About the Author
Brian Hughes
Experienced content creator specializing in creative arts guides and tutorials.
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