Quote:
Originally Posted by Pam Moore
On Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:54:01 +0000, danny22
wrote:
hi all.
i know it would be logical to post this in the bonsai forum, but no one
has posted there in 2days, and i need help as hastily as possible if
anyone can!
my bonsai tree is in rather poor condition. the leaves, which seemed
fine yesterday, look slightly withered now, and roots are growing out
the top of the compost. a lot of roots! i think it definitely needs
its roots pruning, but i have no idea how to do this! i have bonsai
compost and specialist food, but dont know how to start! any advice or
tips are appreciated, really dont want it to die-it doesnt look fancy,
more like a small british hedge! but i do like it!
thanks!
danny 
Hi Danny
Can you tell us...
a. What variety of tree it is.
b. Whether it is an indoor or outdoor tree.
c. What height it is.
d. What diameter the pot is.
In the meantime it would not hurt to repot it as it is, in a bigger
pot, without disturbing the roots. Just take it ouf of the pot it's
in and put it in a shallow tray or pot, with enough soil to cover
those escaping roots.
Try spraying the foliage with water if you can. If you are in any
doubt about whether it should be in or outdoors, keep it in the
coolest place inside that you have, which is frost-free.
Nobody can give you proper advice without the answers to a. and b.
above.
Can you take it back to where you bought it. If they are any good
they should give you the best advice.
Pam in Bristol |
Now is the time to deal with the rooting system. It does sound as if it is rather pot bound so it does need to be repotted.
1 remove from pot.
2 remove as mush soil as possible from the roots by washing with a fine jet of water and combing out some of the roots.
3 cut away about 1/3 of the roots all the way around the plant. If they are very long they can be shortened to refit within the same pot.
4 potting compost. Unless you want to specialise in growing bonsai, I suggest that you get a small bag of potting compost and some sharp sand. For every 2 scoops of compost add 1 scoop of sharp sand. Thoroughly mix and use this for repotting the tree.
5 gently water to make sure that the compost gets right into the rooting system.
6 GOOD LUCK