Pruning Bonsai Tree Care

Pruning and Repotting Bonsai Tree Care

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Pruning Bonsai Tree Care - Why?

• To prevent the leaves from growing out of proportion with the rest of the tree and detract from its visual beauty.


• To force the growth of new branches, cut off the lead head shoot.


• To encourage new branches to grow in a desired direction.


• To guide a branch growth in a particular direction; say vertical, horizontal or downwards, cut off the lead bud from that desired position on a side branch.

Root-pruning - Why?

• To train the root system to fit into a shallow pot.


• To control the root system as the growth of the tree is establish in the bonsai pot.

Controlled root-pruning and the addition of new soil give bonsai plants the potential life span of hundreds of years.How?

• Firstly, in established seedlings cut off one-half or two-thirds of the primary root/tap root.


• Secondly, with established indoor bonsai plants gently remove the tree from the pot and wash away the outer third of the soil.


• Prune the aging darker roots and root hairs. The pale roots are the new and active part of the root system.

Remove about 20 percent of the root mass - When?

When the soil level in the pot is very close to the rim. The reason being that the root growth accumulates at the bottom of the pot and pushes up the soil, leaving a root mass without any soil.

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Repotting

• Brush out all soil from the pot and, if needed, wash it using clean water with a liquid detergent.


• Prepare the pot by covering the drainage holes with a fine plastic net secured with wire to prevent the potting soil from being washed away.


• Position the anchor wire into the pot by pushing it down one hole across the underside and up another hole on the opposite side of the pot. Leave long ends of the wire free in order to secure the tree.


• Spread an even layer of the prepared soil mix on the bottom of the pot.


• Place the bonsai tree on the layer of soil mix.


• Pull the ends of the anchor wire over the root mass and twist-tie them together and so secure the tree.


• Add more soil, working it into all spaces in the root mass with a pointed stick. Fill the pot with soil to just below the rim.


• Water the bonsai throughly and cover the surface of the soil with a layer of moist moss.
  Do not compress the soil around indoor bonsai plants.


• Do not feed the repotted tree for six weeks or do any trunk training for one year. Any movement of the newly repotted bonsai plants would damage the new ciliary roots.

Selecting a Pot

• Evergreen trees are traditionally placed in red, grey or brown pots; while deciduous trees are put into green, blue or white pots.


• Allow the height of the tree to be about one and a half the length of the pot.

To know if there is a bonsai club or society in your region, visit Bonsai Society - Bonsai Clubs Directory website.