Bonsai trees are miniature trees grown in containers and artistically shaped to mimic full-sized trees. Like all trees, bonsai occasionally need to be replanted or “repotted” into new containers to provide fresh soil and room for root growth. Replanting bonsai may seem daunting for beginners but it’s an essential part of keeping your tree healthy and flourishing.
Follow this complete guide to successfully replant your bonsai tree.
Why Repot Bonsai Trees
Over time, bonsai trees become pot bound as their roots fill up the container and available nutrients get used up. Replanting into a larger pot with fresh soil provides:
- More room for root growth
- Improved drainage
- Access to new nutrients
- Soil anchorage as the tree grows
Repotting is crucial about every 1-3 years to stop stunting and decline. Trees with faster growth need more frequent replanting. Signs it’s time include roots circling the container and poor growth.
When to Repot Bonsai
Time replanting to occur:
- In early spring as trees emerge from dormancy
- Before major foliage growth occurs
- When buds are swelling but not opened
Avoid repotting
- In summer during active growth
- In fall/winter during dormancy
Spring allows bonsai to quickly recover from root disturbance and utilize new soil nutrients.
How Often Should Bonsai Be Repotted
Most bonsai need repotting every 1-3 years, but frequency depends on:
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Tree species: Faster growing varieties like trident maple require repotting more often than slow growing junipers.
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Tree age: Younger trees need repotting every 1-2 years as their roots grow quickly. Mature bonsai can go longer between replanting.
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Container size: Trees in smaller pots will become root bound faster than those in larger containers.
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Growth conditions: Ideal conditions can lead to faster root growth, necessitating more frequent repotting.
Inspect annually and repot whenever roots circle inside the container or growth stalls. Keeping to a schedule can help you remember.
Bonsai Repotting Supplies
Gather these supplies before beginning:
- Bonsai soil mix
- Container slightly larger than current pot
- Root rake or chopsticks for removing old soil
- Sharp scissors or concave cutters for root pruning
- Wire, mesh, or screws to anchor tree in new container
- Watering can
- Optional: rooting hormone to reduce transplant shock
Using proper bonsai soil and tools will make the process easier on you and your tree.
How to Repot a Bonsai Tree Step-By-Step
Follow these steps to successfully replant your bonsai tree:
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Remove the tree from its pot using a root rake. Check the root ball size and density to determine if replanting is needed.
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Carefully rake away old soil with chopsticks or a root rake. Avoid damaging the delicate roots. Remove as much as possible.
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Prune back any extremely long roots with sharp scissors or concave cutters. Don’t remove more than 20-30% of the root mass.
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Prepare the new container with drainage mesh and anchoring wires if needed. Select a pot slightly wider than the current root ball.
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Place a thin layer of heavy akadama or lava rock in the bottom of the new container for drainage.
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Position the tree in the pot. Spread its roots outward if root bound. Bonsai should sit a little high in the new container.
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Backfill with your prepared bonsai soil mix. Work it gently around the roots with a chopstick to eliminate air pockets.
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Use wires to anchor the tree at an attractive angle if desired. Pack soil firmly around the base.
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Water thoroughly until it flows from the drainage holes. This will settle the soil.
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Keep the tree sheltered for several weeks as it re-establishes. Provide attentive care while roots recover and regenerate.
With careful technique and proper aftercare, your bonsai will quickly adjust to its new home and be on its way to happy growth.
Bonsai Repotting Tips & Tricks
Follow these useful tips for a smooth replanting process:
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Soak compressed bonsai soil before use to aid working it around roots.
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Keep a portion of the old root ball intact to provide stability for the tree.
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Minimize root pruning to only excessive growth. Never remove more than 30% of roots.
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Water newly replanted trees daily while new roots establish unless soil is very soggy.
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Provide light shade for 1-2 weeks after repotting to reduce transplant stress.
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Use a rooting hormone solution on the roots to reduce shock and speed recovery.
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Allow the tree several weeks to establish before resuming regular pruning and shaping.
Take care when replanting bonsai trees to avoid setbacks. Patience and attentive aftercare ensures your tree thrives.
Troubleshooting Bonsai Repotting Problems
Replanting bonsai does involve some risks and potential issues. Here are some common problems and solutions:
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Declining health: Transplant shock from excess root removal. Prune conservatively and provide attentive aftercare.
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Leaf yellowing and falling: Also transplant shock. Keep tree sheltered and water/fertilize carefully.
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Dying branches: Likely root dieback from damaged roots. Prune back affected branches and wait for new growth.
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Slow growth after repotting: Underwatering or cool temps slowing root recovery. Improve watering and warmth.
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Root rot: Soil staying too wet after replanting. Repot in fresh mix, improve drainage, and hold back on watering.
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Tipped over tree: Insufficient anchoring in new container. Replant with wires/screws to secure the tree.
With careful techniques and patience through the adjustment period, most trees will quickly bounce back from repotting.
Achieving Healthy Growth Through Timely Repotting
Replanting your bonsai tree on a regular basis is crucial to providing adequate root space, drainage, and nutrients for healthy growth. Setting a schedule based on tree species and age takes the guesswork out.
While the process involves some risks like root damage or transplant shock, following the steps in this guide will minimize problems and help your tree quickly adjust to its new container. Don’t wait until decline to repot – Maintaining your bonsai’s long-term vigor and beauty relies on timely replanting.
Why should I re-pot my bonsai?
A Bonsai tree lives in a very small world. Its entire earth is bound by the dimensions of a small bonsai pot can become root-bound pretty quickly. As a Bonsai tree grows, the root system takes the place of what used to be soil. (Thats right, it “used” it). A bonsai cannot thrive if it doesnt have a proportionate amount of soil. As new roots are produced, older roots become ineffective and should be pruned off.
Bonsai soil is course by design to increase drainage. That leaves behind a lot of built up not-so-great stuff in the soil. A build up of salts and minerals is common too. This is a quick way to fix a bonsai plant’s pH balance and get rid of salts and chemicals that have built up in the soil.
Article you might like – An Introduction To Bonsai Soil
Should I put my bonsai in a bigger pot?
Not necessarily. Re-potting doesnt mean replace the pot, it really should be thought of as replacing the soil. All of them, but Junipers in particular, will get bigger every year, and a bigger pot will help the plant’s health and make it look better too.
How to Repot a Bonsai tree
FAQ
Can you replant a bonsai tree?
What kind of soil does a bonsai tree need?
How to repot a baby bonsai for beginners?
What month should I repot my bonsai tree?
How to repot a bonsai tree?
The root pruning is important for balancing the growth of your Bonsai. In this case, we repot the tree into the same pot. We prepare the pot by covering the drainage holes with mesh. The mesh is held in place with wire. We also attach an additional wire, which we will use to stabilize and anchor the tree to the pot later.
How do you keep a bonsai tree from rotting?
Remove some of the bonsai tree’s roots. After untangling the roots, prune back some of the longer ones to keep the tree from outgrowing its pot. At this point, you should also remove any roots that appear to be rotting. As a general rule, avoid removing more than 25 percent of the tree’s total mass of roots. Reposition the tree in its pot.
How do you potting a bonsai tree?
Fill the pot to the brim with your desired potting mix. Work the soil into the root structure so that there are no air pockets remaining between the roots. A typical bonsai potting mix will consist of akadama, gravel, and compost in about a 2-1-1 ratio. Akadama is a special kind of granular clay produced especially for potting bonsai trees.
Why do bonsai trees need to repot?
Roots grow vigorously when trees are young and healthy but when pots are filled with roots, water does not drain well as the roots cover the drainage holes. Roots cannot respirate enough and they may die gradually. This is why we need to repot bonsai trees regularly to provide extra room for roots to grow. What happens if you don’t repot bonsai?