@0soyoung when the realization hit I felt like such a fool. It’s easy enough to move the pot out when I water, so it should be a simple enough fix. If the needles keep a yellow hue that wouldn’t be the worst thing. Seeing where this tree was 8 months ago I’m just happy there’s any green at all!
Pretty sure my substrate is a big part of the problem. This was one of my first trees and I was so excited I threw it into a pot with whatever I had lying around (I mixed some low/mid grade bonsai substrate with a peat/perlite mix like some kind of dumbass). I’ve known it will need a repot sooner rather than later, but with the damage it took last winter I’m hesitant to disturb it too much too soon. Might just have to take the chance and do it this next spring.
