A beautiful Japanese maple from the the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia
- Remove any weeds, moss, fallen leaves and debris from the soil surface.
- Study the structure of the branches and then cut out any crossing branches and shorten the long branches to instigate more branching (ramification) in spring.
- Remove the tree from the pot and survey the root system. Using a small bonsai rake, scrape from the trunk of the tree to the outer edge of the pot to unravel any long roots.
- Using root scissors, cut away any long and/ or crossing roots and trim the root ball to make the tree fit into the original pot. Note: Change the pot for a different colour or shape and try to keep it, more or less, the same size as the original pot. This will help to keep the tree growing healthily without getting too big. Remember we are doing bonsai not ordinary garden pot culture. With the branches and roots trimmed that will suffice to keep your tree growing happily plus it will improve the trunk thickness.
- Then put a layer of potting mix in the pot, place the tree in position then carefully placing more potting mix around the roots and holding the tree to keep it steady.
- Using a chopstick (or similar) you can carefully prod the soil around the roots. Be careful not to prod it too hard that the water will not penetrate the soil. This will be evident that when you water, the water will ‘pool’ on the soil surface. Drainage has to be impeccable.
- Using a watering can, give the tree a drink of water that has had Seasol added to help the cut roots heal and then place the bonsai back on the bench.
- Keep a check so that your newly repotted tree does not dry out, otherwise it could die. Aftercare is so important. If rain is evident, leave it out and that is the best medicine for a newly repotted tree of any kind.
- Remember that all bonsais live outside in all the elements.
- Start fertilising in spring. Winter is their ‘rest’ period.
