January - February: Now Is The Time... by Ken Wassum

Yes, it is that time of the year again – time to repot.  The first tree I repot each year always feels a bit awkward.  I guess it is because I go many months without repotting, and then all of a sudden it is time to do it.  However, once I do one or two trees I find my rhythm.  I really enjoy this time of the year.   Every tree gets worked on multiple times during the year – but repotting is always the most intimate of all bonsai tasks.    I start by turning the pot on its side and cutting the tie down wires and the clips that hold the drainage screens in place. I position the tree on the edge of the large turn table so that the pot is on its side the tree is at 90 degrees.  This way I am not hitting the tree against the turntable and damaging the foliage or branches. After using my pot sickle to cut along three sides of the pot it is a simple matter to hold the pot firm and push the tree towards the uncut side and it comes right out of the pot. Laying the tree on its side again and holding it with one hand I use a repotting rake to gently remove soil.    How much is removed depends on the type of tree, age of tree and stage of development of the tree.  Using sharp root shears I then trim the bottom roots.  The root pad should be flat on the bottom in order to sit secure in the pot.  If you cut the root ball in a rounded or curved manner the tree will rock in the pot.  I use a sturdy pair of bent‐nose tweezers to gently remove soil from the top and the edges of the root ball and then trim the roots.   If I plan to put the tree into a new pot then I have it all ready with screen and tie‐downs.  If I am using the same pot I wash it out with the hose and pot brush to remove surface dirt.  I never use soap to clean the pot and never anything other than a light cleaning with the pot brush.  Over the years, bonsai pots begin developing a patina on the exterior.  As my wife will attest to, I love to acquire old pots, and I am careful not to remove this wonderful patina.  Once clean, I put in new screens and tie‐downs. After putting a layer of drainage (typically pumice one size larger than the soil size) and a little new soil I position the tree.  This is where it can get a bit tricky if I am not paying attention.  To get the tree at the correct height in the pot I find it very important to view the edge of the pot at eye level.  I then wiggle the tree down into the soil mixture to get it at the right height and centered in the middle of the pot.   After checking to make sure that the tree is also centered from the side of the pot I add a little more  soil, secure the tie‐down wires by twisting them together and then add soil so it is just below the edge of the pot.  Then it is time to gently hit the pot on each side while holding the tree securely in place to help settle the soil and then tamp the soil mixture firm.  After watering the tree thoroughly I protect it from hard freezes for the rest of the year. I find it absolutely critical to keep a yearly log of which trees got repotted into which pots.  It makes next year’s work SO much easier.