Page 87 - Ebook bonsai for beginner

pine trees never remove all the soil; this would remove the mycorrhizal
fungus which is essential for the tree’s survival.

4. Prune back long roots; this will help your tree to grow a more compact
root-system suitable for placement in small Bonsai pots. Also remove
rotting or vertical growing roots. Prune up to ¼ of the total root mass (see

photo 3, below).
5. Place the tree, slightly out of the middle of the pot (see photo 4, below)
and attach it with the copper wire (see photo 5, below).

6. Fill the pot using the soil mixture up to about 0.4’’ (1 cm) below the rim;

make sure the soil fills the pot completely and no air pockets between the
roots are left (see photo 6, below).
7. Water the tree thoroughly, this will settle the soil and fill up any

remaining air pockets.

Left: tree removed from original pot. Middle: soil removal with chopsticks. Right: root pruning.