Repotting Tropicals

BrianBay9

I've taken a job in Minnesota that keeps me away from my trees in California about half the time. I've decided to try some indoor bonsai in my office to keep me happy while I'm in MN. I've picked up a Schefflera and a Ficus benjamina as a start - paid too much for them, but I'm new here and don't know where to get bargains yet. I've got another guy in the office who wants to learn about bonsai, so I think they'll survive while I'm away.

So the question - when do you repot tropicals? Both the Ficus and Schefflera desperately need repotting. My assumption is mid-summer?

Brian

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David Yedwab

Others may have different experiences, but, over almost 20 years, I have found that the best time to repot tropicals is mid-summer.

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thejimmyrigger

I did mine a week or two ago with an elm, ficus too little and a schefflera. All where desperate repots, the ficus pouted for a week and is now growing. The schefflera, is still pouting, but I think he didn't approve of being that close to my grow lights, and is now on the porch. The elm didn't mind one bit, oddly enough.
If you don't think they'll make it much longer the way they are, then the time is always now. If its terribly out of season (my elm) just be real nice to the roots.
jim

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Adam_MA

While Most folks will agree that mid-summer is the best time to repot tropicals, I have had success at about every time of year. My circumstances allow for this better because I have an indoor greenhouse with good lighting temp and humidity control.
I will assume from your statement that these trees will be living their lives inside full time. If that is the case it shouldn't make much of a difference what time of year your repot them. Of course you will want to be sure your tree is healthy and strong before you repot (unless it's an emergency repot) and be able to give it the conditions it needs to recover after.

Hope this helps
Adam

agraham

Brian.

The general concensus is to transplant tropicals in late spring through summer.I transplant mine year round because i can get away with it(tropical to semi tropcal environment).

I don't grow bonsai indoors,but it seems to me in an indoor environment the time of year would be of less importance as long as the tree is actively growing(for tropicals) and somewhat dormant for non-tropicals.

andy

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BrianBay9

Thanks for the advice. I'll wait a bit before the re-pot, just to be safe.

The best I can offer these guys is an occassional vacation outside. Is it better to keep their conditions constant, or will they benefit from spending days outdoors and returning inside at night?

Brian

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Adam_MA

I believe they will benefit from at least seeing some real sunlight in the outside open air! A little is better than none at all..


Adam

agraham

Brian,

moving them in and out is probably not a good thing.........low light(office) to bright sun is an invitation to sunburn.get them aclimatized and unless you can move them for long periods(weeks) of time.....i'd leave them where they sit.

andy

flautinet

Thank you for the info.
Old posts are very interesting too.