repotting trees into smaller pots

[lupe21]

well my pot showed up the craftmanship and quality is amazing, my hornbeam is currently sitting in a chinese pot dont get me wrong it is beautiful to, but i wanted something fancier so i bought this pot



the only problem is that it is a bit smaller than the current one.


can it still be repotted into the new pot i aquired and do you guys know if brussels give classes on how to repot

 

[John Ruger]

Love the hornbeam!!

How much smaller is the smaller pot? Hornbeam roots don't really grow all that fast and you don't want to take off more than what is needed for this tree in its present stage.
...don't wait until the spring growth, so I'm sure the people at Brussels can guide you with that.

 

[Mike423]

If you want hands on tr5aining for repotting Brussels or your local Bonsai club will probably work out best. Nice tree too

 

[Dav4]

Two things need to be considered when picking a pot for a particular tree. The first is the health of the tree. The second is the aesthetics of the tree/pot combo. Unless you are showing the tree, health always comes first. When I saw your thread on the tokoname pot you purchased, I actually wondered if it would be too small for your tree. Is there any way to get a picture of the two pots, side by side, one taken from the front, and another from the side, to get a better idea of the size difference between the two. By the way, I think the pot the tree currently sits in is pretty close to the right size for this tree, though I'd need to see a better picture of the tree from just above pot level to be sure.

 

[amkhalid]

Nice pot and tree.

The pot is a Shibakatsu, if you were wondering.

CHeers

 

[lupe21]

thanks guys for the reply i really appreacite them thanks amkhalid i check the stamp out at http://www.tokoname.or.jp/bonsai/catalog/maker-e.htm plus the seller i feel is very trustworthy if feel i got a really good deal on it as the seller had previously paid 200 dollars and i got it for less than half as that i will post pics of the pot next to the current one for reference tommorrow as for depth they are about the same but on the edges the new one is about 3/4ths of a inch smaller maybe one inch thanks guys i really appreciate the input

 

[Vance Wood]

thanks guys for the reply i really appreacite them thanks amkhalid i check the stamp out at http://www.tokoname.or.jp/bonsai/catalog/maker-e.htm plus the seller i feel is very trustworthy if feel i got a really good deal on it as the seller had previously paid 200 dollars and i got it for less than half as that i will post pics of the pot next to the current one for reference tommorrow as for depth they are about the same but on the edges the new one is about 3/4ths of a inch smaller maybe one inch thanks guys i really appreciate the input

There are a couple of things to think about before you takle this project and that is about Hornbeams in general. They need to be repotted once in three years. Don't let them go beyond that, another name for the Hornbeam is Iron wood and believe me the name is well deserved, the roots become very hard and tangled if you let it go too long. You may be looking at a multi-seasonal project but if your tree was repoted just a couple of years ago you should not have too much trouble but, be prepared to put the tree in another container for a couple of years just in case you run into a problem.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

My KH came from Bonsai West and was either from the same batch, or very close, and I was pleased with the roots and previous work done. The soil was a little heavy and organic, but it did come away nicely. It's in a small pot and will be repotted this spring, after two years, but I would have liked to get three. The roots were very fine, but not brittle...wait until March and get some hands-on help if this is your first attempt.

 

[lupe21]

thanks brian, i think today is the year to repot this tree when i first bought it the guys at bonsaiwest told me today was the year to repott it. ill have to find a club in memphis or either go to brussels

 

[lupe21]

here is the new pot next to the current one

 

[lupe21]

here is a picture i missed

 

[Ang3lfir3]

1) you bought a beautiful pot at what looks to be a great price
2) I happen to like the pot the Hornbeam is already in (one day a shallower wider glazed pot might look better)
3) I think the new pot is a little cramped for the hornbeam unless you intend to shorten it dramaticly
4) I suggest you buy a really killer Juniper and put it in that new pot as its too masculine for such an old elegant Hornbeam (then you would have two awesome trees)
5) Have I mentioned I would love to have it?

 

[lupe21]

lol thanks angelfire im think of buying a ume that i saw on ebay and attempt to train it but umes are flowering trees and probaly woulnt look good in this pot i think i will just store it for another tree, i appreaciated the suggestion but what really drew me into bonsai where the decidous trees i absolutely love hornbeams, maples, beeches you get where im going but if i ever happen to come across a killer juniper ill certainly think it over

 

[Vance Wood]

lol thanks angelfire im think of buying a ume that i saw on ebay and attempt to train it but umes are flowering trees and probaly woulnt look good in this pot i think i will just store it for another tree, i appreaciated the suggestion but what really drew me into bonsai where the decidous trees i absolutely love hornbeams, maples, beeches you get where im going but if i ever happen to come across a killer juniper ill certainly think it over

Here is the problem with reducing down a tree to go into a smaller pot. There is the tendency to reduce down only enough to get the tree in the pot which in essence leaves the tree with very little room with very little fresh soil to grow in for another cycle. This means your next repot must not be delayed. I have been here before. Once you have the parameters fixed to go into the new pot you must make certain that some of the old soil that is remaining must be removed to allow for the introduction of fresh soil into the core of the soil mass. If this is not done you could wind up having a dried out core in the middle of the tree and this will in the end cause root rot. This does not mean bare rooting but if you are aware of the pie segment system you should use it.

 

[Ang3lfir3]

lol thanks angelfire im think of buying a ume that i saw on ebay and attempt to train it but umes are flowering trees and probaly woulnt look good in this pot i think i will just store it for another tree, i appreaciated the suggestion but what really drew me into bonsai where the decidous trees i absolutely love hornbeams, maples, beeches you get where im going but if i ever happen to come across a killer juniper ill certainly think it over

I got into bonsai with a love for deciduous trees as well (i still love them most of all) .... eventually you will be lured by them all even the conifers ... you will want one of everything I even own a satsuki (me not vic...she has several) and I never thought that would happen!

for deciduous you will mostly want to buy glazed pots (i am sure you knew that already ) .... I happen to like many of the traditional antique pots as well as some of the newer pots made by some of our american potters (ima sucker for a shino or an aged cream/white pot)....

let me know when you want me to come wire the tree I'd love to get after that bad boi.....


that reminds me.... the biggest of the HB's is out on the deck waiting to be finished.... (will take well over 24hrs)

 

[lupe21]

lol they all seem to call you in one way or another tell you what ill send you round way ticket to arkansas so, as for glazed pots i was not aware that they compliment decidious tree more, but come to think of it i could picture this tree in a oval creamed white pot

 

[rockm]

"as for glazed pots i was not aware that they compliment decidious tree more, but come to think of it i could picture this tree in a oval creamed white pot"

They CAN, but it's not an absolute. Older deciduous trees with dramatic trunks, like this one, can work well in unglazed pots. The grey pot you have chosen does work pretty well with the tree.