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For young trees in bonsai containers, repotting is generally done every one to two years. You can get a good idea as to the condition of the root system after a year's growth by cutting the tie wires and removing the tree from its container. Is the pot lined with feeder roots and actively growing (white) tips or is the soil putrid and smelly? Are the roots circling the pot? What is the general health of the tree? Can a chopstick not be pushed into the soil about halfway between the tree and the container edge? How fast is water draining through the soil? Is the surface of the soil hard and crusty? Is it repelling water? Each of these may be a sign that the tree is ready for repotting.

TIMING OF REPOTTING

Repotting is usually conducted after a tree has just entered dormancy or just before it begins active growth. Tropical varieties can be repotted throughout the year. Plants generally flower during dormancy, so you can look at this as an indicator. Plum and apricot flower early in the spring, wisteria later and azalea toward early summer. Deciduous varieties can be transplanted in the fall after they have lost their leaves, when there is no danger of "indian summer conditions" but before the frosty weather turns to freezing.

Conifers may be transplanted in the fall, but you may have a better response from them if you plant in the mid spring. It is said that the flowering of the wisteria is an indicator as to the ending of the period for transplanting pines. This is typically March in this area.

EMERGENCY REPOTTING

For various reasons an emergency repotting may be required. If conditions of root rot are noted, if the tree falls off the bench or the pot breaks an emergency repotting may be in order. If the repotting is "out of season" particular care must be taken. If the tree is generally healthy, the best course of action is to limit the repotting operation to replacing to lightly pruning the root tips without breaking the root ball, and restoring it to the same or a new container adding just the required amount of fresh soil.

If the repotting is being done because water is not penetrating the soil, the upper quarter of the soil, or approximately 1 to 1-1/2 inches of soil may be removed and replaced with fresh soil. If the situation is particularly bad, consider removing sections of root and soil from the four corners of the pot and replacing with fresh medium.

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31-Oct-2001	#2
TreeBay Tips:5¢ Advice:Free *MODERATOR GROUP* Join Date: Aug-2001 Location: Silicon Valley Country: USA USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 9,742	REPOT - When to repot? For young trees in bonsai containers, repotting is generally done every one to two years. You can get a good idea as to the condition of the root system after a year's growth by cutting the tie wires and removing the tree from its container. Is the pot lined with feeder roots and actively growing (white) tips or is the soil putrid and smelly? Are the roots circling the pot? What is the general health of the tree? Can a chopstick not be pushed into the soil about halfway between the tree and the container edge? How fast is water draining through the soil? Is the surface of the soil hard and crusty? Is it repelling water? Each of these may be a sign that the tree is ready for repotting. TIMING OF REPOTTING Repotting is usually conducted after a tree has just entered dormancy or just before it begins active growth. Tropical varieties can be repotted throughout the year. Plants generally flower during dormancy, so you can look at this as an indicator. Plum and apricot flower early in the spring, wisteria later and azalea toward early summer. Deciduous varieties can be transplanted in the fall after they have lost their leaves, when there is no danger of "indian summer conditions" but before the frosty weather turns to freezing. Conifers may be transplanted in the fall, but you may have a better response from them if you plant in the mid spring. It is said that the flowering of the wisteria is an indicator as to the ending of the period for transplanting pines. This is typically March in this area. EMERGENCY REPOTTING For various reasons an emergency repotting may be required. If conditions of root rot are noted, if the tree falls off the bench or the pot breaks an emergency repotting may be in order. If the repotting is "out of season" particular care must be taken. If the tree is generally healthy, the best course of action is to limit the repotting operation to replacing to lightly pruning the root tips without breaking the root ball, and restoring it to the same or a new container adding just the required amount of fresh soil. If the repotting is being done because water is not penetrating the soil, the upper quarter of the soil, or approximately 1 to 1-1/2 inches of soil may be removed and replaced with fresh soil. If the situation is particularly bad, consider removing sections of root and soil from the four corners of the pot and replacing with fresh medium. Content ©2001-2002 TreeBay.com, All Rights Reserved __________________ Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today! bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!