Repotting mixture question...

Doddins

Hi
I was wondering, if when repotting a bonsai, would buying a bag of the potting mixture from a garden centre do or is this advised to be avoid?
Also when is the best time to actually repot a bonsai, i have a jasmin orange (murraya), im assuming it would probably be best to repot right before its next growing cycle.

Any advice is greatly appreciated
Regards
Adam

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Mortalis

Your average potting mixture from a garden center does not allow enough air to the roots.. I would use no more than 10% of it if at all.. an easy basic mix is

75% 3/8ths inch lava rock partials or LECA if available.
25% 3/8ths inch Pine bark particles.

If you dont like this mix search the forum I am sure you will find one..

There are a LOT of mixes and many bonsai people will likely kill each other arguing over whats the best. What I have given is a basic mix of easy to get stuff. You adjust the amount of Pine bark based on your climate and watering habits you could even add something else that holds water if needed I like Coconut husk chips in mine.. and with a little chocolate syrup tastes Mmm Mmm good..

Mortalis

I forgot to mention, it is important to remove as much of the old soil as possible when changing types of soil mix. The difference in water retentiveness between two types of soil can easily kill your tree. Just try not to injure the root system more than need be.. once you have had it in a good bonsai soil a year or two when you re pot it gets to where it will just let go of the old ready for new.

Yikes forgot to answer your question of when! Well depends on the species.. I figure jasmine orange is a citrus in that case you can prune all year and re pot a little before any growth cycle. I would research as this is only my guesstimate at it I am unfamiliar with the particular species you have.

Doddins

Thank you for your reply, ive been doing some more looking up into all this and your help was greatly appreciated. thank you

Regards
Adam

Doddins

got another quick question, you said about it could be repotted before any new growth cycle, if that si the case would it be ok to re pot during spring, just as the tree is begining to prepare to grow again?
Thank you again, and sorry if these seem such stupid questions to ask.
Thanks

Mortalis

Sure I did some looking up on jasmine orange it is Tropical.. With most tropical trees is best to re pot during one of their down times before new growth starts.. usually mid summer or early winter. Just pay attention to the growth rate when it slows its time. Though in my xp I find a healthy Tropical can be repoted at any time with care. Try not to prune the roots by more than 1/3rd.

Globalist1789

Generally, that is the ideal time to repot most trees.