Mattbonsai

Hi All,

Most people are aware that the time for repotting is on its way.

But here in the UK we've had a very mild January so far, and it's encouraging some trees to breakbud early.

Most of the trees that are doing it in my collection, are trees that I want to repot this year, and we are guaranteed to have a sudden cold snap in February or March (it always happens that way).

So, should I repot the trees now(when the buds are about to push through), they are species like: Acer Palmatum, Crataegus, Carpinus, Other Acer var, Fraxinus, Malus, Fagus and the like.

And if I do, how should I protect them when the cold snap comes?

-Matt-

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Kansai

Matt--Where do you have these trees stored?

DR

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Bonsai is easy! All you have to do is stare at a little tree until drops of blood form on your forehead.--paraphrased from Gene Fowler

Mattbonsai

Cheers Kansai,

They were being kept in the unheated shed, but once I saw one or two of them preparing themselves for the 100 meter spring race I took them out of the shed and now they're between my house and the neighbours.

-Matt-

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Vic N

Matt, I think it's better to repot now. You will have to keep them from re-freezing tho. When the cold snap comes, move them back to the shed. Vic

SDBONSAI

Hello Matt, yes, you can repot them now and protect them from the cold. or you can wait until spring. I personally have had great luck with repotting when the tree breaks bud.( I let the tree tell me ) and have never had a problem with this approach. good luck.

Rick Moquin

I had a similar situation in Nova Scotia a few years back with a couple of quinces, that were ready to bloom in my cold frame. I was told not to worry leave them alone and should they bloom early and die off it just meant no blooms in spring.

Define buds? All my maples and a few other trees have buds, but they are not ready to burst.

Define mild? are the root balls frozen? do they need repotting? do you plan on major root work? if not, there is absolutely nothing wrong with repotting after first flush, if you are worried.

When I say major root work I mean major root work and not a trim. If they are in a good bonsai medium, this should be relatively easy. On the other hand if they are in crappy soil this could be a challenge.

Having placed them outside, this should calm their hormones down a bit, just keep them out of the wind. There is nothing worse than moving trees in and out, especially in winter.

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Mattbonsai

Define buds: They're nice and bright red, slightly swollen looking(acer) the others have some swollen buds.
Define Mild: Well.... we've had 1 frost this January, and that was last night, and it wasn't even enough to freeze the water butt, rest of the time its been rain and temps getting to 10%c + on some days.

I really just want to get the roots reduced, and get the trees into a decent soil, so it means washing them down.

Vic, SD, thats what a couple of the members of the society suggested, one of the resident experts said he starts repotting on boxing day (due to work commitments) and as long as he keeps the trees sheltered they always survive.

-Matt-

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Vic N

Matt, I think repotting now makes the most sense for you because of a couple of things:
If the tree breaks now and then gets hit with another frost, it will use all of its reserves to make new foliage in spring. Repotting then would be a double whammy and may be too much stress.
Repotting now means the tree will start to heal as soon as the new foliage opens and soil temps get up into the 50's(F). Even if it should get hit with a frost, the stress effect should be less.

Is the tree truly opening? The acers on this side of the pond have started to get swollen buds, but they won't open for 8-10 weeks. Vic