ENN: Environmental News Network [[ ENN Garden Tutorials ]]
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Bonsai trees that are grown in rocks require a little extra effort to repot. The roots tend to grow into the porous rock making it difficult to remove the tree. Start by cutting the root ball away from the rock with a knife. |
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| Once you’ve severed the connection between the roots and the rock, pry out the tree with a narrow trowel. |
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| Untangle the roots with a small hand fork or a root hook. Remove as much soil from the root ball as possible. |
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| Trim the roots back by about a third. Whenever you prune the roots of a bonsai tree, you should also prune the top growth proportionately. |
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| Scrape the inside of the rock container to remove any soil or remaining roots |
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| Add an inch or two of soil to the rock container. Use a soil mix that is rich in organic matter and drains well. Commercial bonsai mixes are generally the best choice for amateur bonsai enthusiasts. |
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| Place the bonsai in the container and add some soil. |
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| Firm the soil in and around the roots. It may be necessary to pack the soil with a pencil or chopstick. It’s very important that there are no air pockets left between the roots. Water the bonsai well to finish. |