Page 86 - Ebook bonsai for beginner

Repotting Bonsai, step by step

First prepare the pot, than start repotting

1. Put a plastic mesh on the drainage holes, attached with some copper
wire (see photo 1, below).

2. Cover the base of the pot with a layer of grit to create a good drainage.
You might want to attach another copper wire to the drainage holes in the
pot, which can be used to attach the tree with in the next step (see photo
2, below).

3. Now use the prepared soil mixture as the second layer, on which the
tree will be planted (see photo 3, below).

Left: Mesh screen wired into pot and wire placed to secure tree. Middle: drainage layer. Right:
second layer of bonsai mix.

Step-by-step plan to repot your Bonsai

1. Carefully take the tree out of its pot, when it is stuck use a root-knife
(see photo 1, below). Be sure to obtain the right tools, which makes the
work easier.

2. Inspect whether the tree needs to be repotted or not, as described
above in the ‘how often’ section.

3. By using a root-hook or some chopsticks, carefully remove the soil and
disentangle the roots somewhat (see photo 2, below). When repotting
pine trees never remove all the soil; this would remove the mycorrhizal