Repotting bonsai trees is something that you need to do from time to time. While it is best to leave a bonsai tree in its original container, there are some occasions when it is necessary to remove the root ball and repot the tree. In addition, there are times when we forget to do reporting and the root ball can get really big, forcing us to root the tree.

Basic reasons

There are some reasons why it is best to repot bonsai, and they include: you have a new bonsai tree that is not getting enough light or water, it is becoming too large or too bushy, or you have simply outgrown the space in your container. There are also a few conditions that should be present for repotting.

The soil must be loose and not compacted, but must also be airy. If it is too dry, the tree will die. Furthermore, the pot size of the tree must be no more than twice the size of the container it is being kept in. The container size must be firm and will resist any sort of cracking.

Repotting after heavy flooding

Repotting bonsai trees after heavy flooding can cause serious damage to the tree. When the tree has spent much of its water and nutrients in one year’s time, it is important to do repotting to prevent future problems. If the new container is not deep enough to soak up all of the water, the new pot should be deep enough to allow the root ball to fit without sinking to the bottom of the container.

Repotting should only be done after repotting aftercare has been given to the tree. This means watering it daily and feeding it with nitrogenous fertilizer on a regular basis. If repotting is done without resorting aftercare, the roots may rot and cause the bonsai to die.

Things to be aware of

With repotting, you should be aware of two other factors, the soil in the container and the bonsai pot size. The pot size is normally smaller than the size of the original container. The reason for this is to keep the soil evenly moist, preventing root decay and fungus. Bonsai plants that are small and young tend to grow very quickly and can grow bigger than the original pot size before you have a chance to repot them.

The soil in the container must be moist but not soggy or wet. If the soil becomes soggy, it will encourage the tree to dry out and start to rot.

Signs to look for

By taking the time to examine the tree, its root ball, and the new pot that it is being stored in, you will be able to know when it is ready to be repotted. Because it can be tricky to know when you have to report, there are a few ways that you can tell if it is time to repot the tree.

The first sign that it is time to repot is when the leaves begin to turn yellow. Once the leaves start to turn yellow, the roots will begin to pull moisture away from the tree, causing them to dry out and start to rot.

The second sign that it is time to repot is when the soil in the pot is so full of compacted roots that it pushes out of the sides of the pot. Once the roots push out of the sides of the pot, they will continue to become bigger until they are at least a quarter of the size of the tree. At this point, you will have to repot the tree.

Once the roots are about half the size of the tree, they will still continue to grow. It is not uncommon for root growth to continue into the second year of life. Therefore, you will need to repot the tree every year after the roots reach that point.

The pot size of the tree is not important, as long as it is deep enough to allow the roots to sink to the bottom of the pot. It is best to not repot a bonsai pot that is less than an inch deep. because this will allow the roots to get crushed.