potting up a Scotts pine from ground

[linlaoboo]

I have a few Scots pines grown in the ground for a couple of years and I'm thinking to dig one up in the spring to pot it i a training pot to begin working on branch styling. any recommendations on how to handle the roots and what kind of bonsai mix to use and how early in the spring should I do the work? Thanks for your recommendation

 

[M. Frary]

I have a few Scots pines grown in the ground for a couple of years and I'm thinking to dig one up in the spring to pot it i a training pot to begin working on branch styling. any recommendations on how to handle the roots and what kind of bonsai mix to use and how early in the spring should I do the work? Thanks for your recommendation

The first year I dig up a pine I leave it in the native soil. If the root mass is small enough I stick it in a collander. If it's larger I put it in a bucket.
You need to let the roots and tree recover. Then in the following years partially remove soil and replace with bonsai soil.

 

[sorce]

They say the third years ground growth is excellent.

I'd wait a wee bit more. Like half a decade.

Train it in The ground!

Sorce

 

[linlaoboo]

Thank guys. I'm not sure I can wait that long. I will dig 1 up in the spring as a test subject and leave the few others. A nice person give them to me in 2013 as 1 in cuttings and they have around 2 in nebari now and I'm happy with them. Scotts put out bunch of branches all from the same spot and Ive selected some major branches already but also cut away a lot while leaving the low ones to thicken the trunk and improve taper. Cant wait to wire them and work on ramifications. Just will like to do that on a table instead of in the ground. Looks weird to the unfriendly neighbors and bad for my back.

 

[Vance Wood]

If you can get the help dig them all especially if they are going away due to development.