Mattbonsai

Hi Guys, I have an Acer Dissectum that I worked on last year, and even though it was only last year I worked on it, I think its ready for a bonsai pot, but, its in full leaf...

Would I get away with repotting it now (Mid-spring), or do I have to wait until winter? This tree is beautiful, and needs repotting soon (I couldnt in winter due to time restrictions and distance away from tree).

Any ideas?

Cheers

-Matt-

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Dav4

Re-potting deciduous trees in full leaf is risky business if major root work needs to be done. You can get away with minor root-work, meaning the majority of the root ball is left undisturbed. I recently purchased a nice little Korean Hornbeam 2 weeks ago that was in dire need of a re-pot but was fully leafed out. I lifted the tree from it's original bonsai pot, gently scraped the sides and bottom of the root-ball to remove some of the old soil, and re-potted it in a slightly larger pot in better soil. My plan is to perform the needed root-work, most likely a bare rooting, next spring just as the tree starts to push its' buds.

Dave

shrimpy

Hi Matt

Quote:
(Re-potting deciduous trees in full leaf is risky business if major root work needs to be done. You can get away with minor root-work, meaning the majority of the root ball is left undisturbed.)

I agree entirely with Dave, repotting a deciduous tree in full leaf is a good way to kill it.

Shrimpy

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JLDoggett

Sorry Matt but if the tree is a good one, it would be much healthier for the tree to wait. Even though I know you are very knowledgable on how to care for it, it is far too risky to attempt at this point. If the tree is in need of repotting the most I would consider doing is to slip-pot it into something a little bigget to get through the year.

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Mattbonsai

Ok Cheers guys, I'd rather keep it alive than be impatient, I did have a feeling that I've read somewhere that you can get away with it late spring, but obviously not,

I will get an updated photo soon.

-Matt-

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Dav4

Hey Matt, it has less to do with the time of year and more to do with the stage of foliage development. For instance, if you winter your trees in an unheated greenhouse, they may start to push buds in early to mid February...by March, it would probably be too far along. On the other hand, unusually cool spring weather may slow things down by several weeks, giving you more time to work the roots. Bottom line, the window of opportunity to perform meaningful root work is before leaves have formed. Hope this helps,

Dave

Michel

Hi,

Spot on, by far the best period for the job.

Think of it this way: Now You have a whole year to be
on the lookout for the perfect pot .

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Greetz,

Michel