The first thing I want to do when I acquire a new tree is get a look at the soil. Based on what I found when I started repotting the trident maple below, I decided to bare-root the tree. Trident maple After removing the soil The tree had been well-cared for but was growing in […]
Repotting
Coast redwood – repotting follow-up
Three months ago I pruned and repotted a coast redwood. Coast redwood After cutback After root work Repotting complete The tree responded well and produced new foliage. New growth three months later Foliage detail This is the response I’m used to from redwoods. I repotted a second tree that same day, however, and it’s recovery […]
Repotting exposed root satsuki azalea bonsai
Here’s an example of an exposed root azalea that has been bare-rooted. Exposed root ‘Korin’ satsuki azalea – 19″ from top to bottom These trees can be tricky to repot as they lack a solid rootball to tie down. Exposed roots One of the best ways to secure trees with good roots but no rootball […]
Working soil into the roots below the trunk – repotting field-grown satsuki
Satsuki bonsai are commonly bare-rooted when they are dug from the field. These trees can have lots of fine roots under the trunk that can make repotting difficult. Bare root satsuki azalea ‘Hanabin’ Lots of roots under the trunk Simply setting the tree into a mound of soil can lead to air pockets in which […]
Repotting a collected Sierra juniper
For those who have worked with a lot of collected junipers, this post can be summed up with two photos. Sierra juniper before repotting- 31″ tall Sierra juniper after repotting I acquired this tree in the pot pictured at top so I assumed there were some important roots that emerged quite a ways from the […]