[IBC] repot and prune together??
 

in a few weeks im planning on some repotting and pruning. I have a chinese
elm that is in bad need of repotting and root pruning... as it has been in
a nursery pot .. for what im thinking to be a couple of years. and was
growing through the pot and into the ground. The winter has already done
some top pruning for it. but i would like to shorten a few larger branches
as well. My question... which could just be a basic question for all
decidous dormant material. IS it ok to root prune, repot and top prune in
the same step while the tree is dormant?
or should i repot first.. then wait for some buds to swell before pruning
the top? (particularly for trees that are going from
one training pot to another) I'm thinking in the future to do my repotting
and root pruning in the late summer/fall to
avoid this. I know the answer to this question varies according to species
and general health of the tree.
but does anyone have any good basic guidelines.

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[IBC] repot and prune together??
 

Steve,

The general recommendation for most deciduous trees is to repot in the
spring just as the buds start to swell. This is the time when the roots
are at maximum growth so they will recover from the pruning the
quickest. If the tree has a fair number of branches it will be fine to
cut back some of the heaviest when you root prune - it may even be
better since the tree will have fewer leaves to support on the
diminished root system. However, you must leave enough top growth to
fuel the recovery of the roots. For seedlings and whips it is generally
a good idea not to do much top pruning since the tree will need all of
the top growth it can get to fuel root growth - it there is too much it
will top prune the correct amount for you.

Marty


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf
Of Steve Wolfinger
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2003 5:29 PM
To:
Subject: [IBC] repot and prune together??

in a few weeks im planning on some repotting and pruning. I have a
chinese
elm that is in bad need of repotting and root pruning... as it has been
in
a nursery pot .. for what im thinking to be a couple of years. and was
growing through the pot and into the ground. The winter has already done
some top pruning for it. but i would like to shorten a few larger
branches
as well. My question... which could just be a basic question for all
decidous dormant material. IS it ok to root prune, repot and top prune
in
the same step while the tree is dormant?
or should i repot first.. then wait for some buds to swell before
pruning
the top? (particularly for trees that are going from
one training pot to another) I'm thinking in the future to do my
repotting
and root pruning in the late summer/fall to
avoid this. I know the answer to this question varies according to
species
and general health of the tree.
but does anyone have any good basic guidelines.

************************************************** **********************
********
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** **********************
********
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/
--
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail
+++++

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++