cyclops

Well ive noticed my roots are close to rootbound and i just got the tree a week ago and noticed it was potting in clay. i was doing some research but came up pretty short. All i found really was that this tree is usually importated from china and is potted in clay. my main concern is it also said romove clay gradually while mixing bonsai soil and im worried that is going to be murder to my roots while romoving some of the clay.
does anybody have any experience or insight on this proccess that may help me or any info that can help
thanks

Phil

Clay! Are you absolutely sure about that? Quite a few bonsai trees are imported from China but I've never heard any reports of them being potted in clay. I can't see what purpose it would serve although the crap and poison that China exports to us , or should I say, the crap we import from them, it would not surprise me in the least. Any chance of posting pictures of this "clay"?

If the your climate is warm and the tree is in bloom you might possibly opt for running a strong jet of water over the clay from a hose to slowly remove it. Other than that I've not had any experience with trying to remove clay from roots. Perhaps someone here has had the same experience.

~Phil~

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I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
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artyanimal

Cyclops,

It might help if you could identify the tree, it's approximate size, state of health and as Phil said, show us a couple of pictures if possible. If not, then I agree with Phil that about the only thing you can do is to use water (carefully) as you are least likely to damage the roots with this method.

I sell bonsai and have handled many, many Chinese imports over the years and have also never run across clay as a potting medium. They are most often potted in a rich blackish organic mixture usually with some bark chip and fertilizer included. The most common imports are: Fukien tea-Carmona microphylla, Chinese elm-Ulmus parvifolia, various types of ficus such as Chinese banyan-Ficus microcarpa, Ginseng ficus-Ficus retusa and Serrissa foetida. Maybe you could try a search for some of these for more info.

Cheers,

arty

cyclops

well the tree i have is a fukien tea
about roughly 5 years
just about pot bound hopefully not root rot
im at work but when i get home i will take some photos and try and get a good shot of the stuff i hope its not to late for my tree if any case
i will try washing it off on a warm day
i live in southern california but its supposed to rain all next week i heard
should i wait until a sunny or warm day
thanks for the help
i asked the nursery i got it from
they said they just got them in and didnt repot them
thanks for the help guys i will post pics soon
also been getting a few leaves losing there color

Phil

If you're going to re-pot it ,or re-pot any tree/plant for that matter, you never wish to do so in the sun as the roots will be exposed for a period of time. Always try to re-pot in the shade if possible and keep the exposed roots moist.

~Phil~

__________________

Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008

Tom

I fit is indeed potted in clay, which would be a first in my book. I would suggest you soak the entire root ball in a bucket of water or preferably a bucket of transplant solution. Gently agitate the water/solution to soften the clay. You will find that in 15 minutes time that a lot has fallen off. The rest you can take off with a chop stick gently while the tree is submerged.

End result is that you'll end up with a "clay" free root ball ready to be root worked and potted.

__________________
Cheers, Tom

The Behr Bonsai Scholarship

North Star Bonsai

cyclops

thanks for the help and you wouldnt happen to know any good transplant solution i could use
i will do it this week
thanks guys

cyclops

ok ok sorry took so long but i finally took some pics
i couldnt get to great of a pic of the clay but i hope its good enough.

I dont know what is wrong with them looks burnt or is it a disease?











it needs some shaping and trimming so dont mind the look much.
i was not about to trim or fiddle with a weak tree,
ive recently noticed a few new shoots grow lately so obviously its still doing ok
i just got to get the clay out of there
is it a bad idea to do air layering on this tree
thanks for all the help and
yes the humidity tray is a saucer that looks like a lemon haha i
havent gotten the actual tray yet