|
Don't let this important
task slide! The time is fast approaching.
Ready. We're
on our mark to get ready - The calendar doesn't lie -here
we are in zero cold in parts of this great United
States and I'm talking about the lull before the
coming of spring. It's just around the corner.
And, it's a really nice thing to think about when
the snow is a foot or so deep outside. Let's dream
about it, but be ready.
Set. You need to start your planning
for those few weeks - the window of opportunity -
when you can do drastic root pruning and repotting
on your Bonsai and be most successful.
Go. Go to it and start your plan
of action. You need to look at your Bonsai:
A. Check the general condition
of the foliage of your evergreens and the general
condition of your deciduous Bonsai. Is their overall
condition healthy? Does the foliage of your evergreen
Bonsai look healthy? If not, you need to look at
the top growth and see if there are insect pests
present. You need to inspect the roots of your Bonsai
to see if the Bonsai is pot bound. You can tell by
gently holding the trunk of your Bonsai at the base
close to soil level and raising the Bonsai out of
the pot.
A1. On
newly planted Bonsai you must be careful not to
pull your Bonsai out of its soil because you will
then have to repot it. If this is "your" Bonsai,
then you're OK on the repotting bit until another
year. You normally need to root prune and repot
every two years or so on tropical or fast growing
Bonsai and three to five years on conifer Bonsai.
A2 .
If your Bonsai has been in its container for several
years your lifting of the plant will also lift
all the soil out of the pot too. It will be like
a naked Bonsai.that is a mass
of roots that imitate the shape of the container
as it was in the container. If this is "your" Bonsai,
then you need to take some steps to root prune and
repot. You ask "what if I just leave it alone and
it does get potbound? So what?" The so what is usually
the death of the Bonsai. If there is no soil left
in the container and only roots, you will have a
very difficult time of watering because there is
nothing there to hold the moisture. If, perchance,
you forget to water just one time, then the Bonsai
will die, because there is no backup of any moisture
retention material for the Bonsai to rely on. A very
sad problem. If you are scared to root prune another
alternative is to shift your Bonsai into a larger
container and add soil into the extra space provided
The process. . This process of
root pruning and repotting will affect your Bonsai
in many ways. First and foremost is that you will
add new, fresh potting
mix to the Bonsai and thus
help it to retain moisture and nutrients for the
coming year. The second affect is that by cutting
off the old roots you will give new and youthful
vigor to your Bonsai with these new, young and healthy
roots that will emerge.
How Dallas Bonsai Garden can help you. To
help you in this endeavor Dallas Bonsai Garden suggests
you review your books and videos on root pruning
and repotting. Check your tools and see if you have
a root
rake, root
pick and sharp shears/scissors.
If you are planning on changing the pot then get
your pottery
selection thought out and order early.
Check your inventory of potting
mixes and top
dressings.
It certainly doesn't hurt to have a little extra
to be left over than attempt your task and find out
that you don't have enough potting mix to finish
the job. Be sure you have enough root
stimulator/vitamin to soak you Bonsai and its soil in after your finish
this task. This may be a good time to do some shaping
on your Bonsai , so don't forget the wire.and don't
forget that you might need a length of wire to go
through the root ball and out of the pot holes to
tie down the Bonsai. Don't forget drainage
mesh.
This task can be intimidating the first time so don't
be scared. Yes, it's better to remove too few roots
than too many. After a few time at this you will
understand the process and feel more comfortable
with what you are doing. Be prepared to get the job
done at the "perfect" time.
Note: At the time of this writing we are already experiencing
an influx of orders for pots and potting
mixes. We
do appreciate you ordering early. Don't be the last
one and have to have your pots or mixes sent by overnight
delivery services. Yes, we all are busy with just living,
but do spend an hour thinking through this task. Your
Bonsai will reward you with a longer and healthier
life.
|
