Okay, here’s my blog post about repotting my bonsai tree, written in a casual, personal style, with simple HTML formatting:
Alright, so, my little bonsai needed a new home. It was getting all root-bound in its old pot – you know, roots circling around and around, looking all cramped. Time for a repot!
First, I gathered my stuff. Here’s what I used:
- New pot (slightly bigger than the old one)
- Bonsai soil (gotta have that good drainage)
- Mesh screen (to cover the drainage holes)
- Wire (to secure the tree)
- Chopsticks (yup, chopsticks!)
- Scissors
- Root hook (optional, but handy)
- Watering can
The Repotting Process
I started by gently taking the tree out of its old pot. This was a bit tricky, ’cause those roots were really holding on. I used a chopstick to carefully loosen the soil around the edges, and then pop, out it came!
Next, I examined the roots. They were definitely a tangled mess. I used my root hook (you can use scissors too) to gently comb out the roots, untangling them and getting rid of any dead or mushy ones. It’s like giving the roots a good haircut.
I trimmed the roots. You don’t want to go crazy here, just trim back about a third of the root mass. This encourages new, healthy root growth. I cut some of the longer, thicker roots, making sure to leave plenty of the finer, feeder roots.
Now, for the new pot! I put a piece of mesh screen over the drainage holes to keep the soil from falling out. Then, I added a layer of bonsai soil to the bottom of the pot.
Time to position the tree. I placed the tree in the new pot, making sure it was centered and at the right height. I used some wire to secure the tree to the pot, threading it through the drainage holes and around the root ball. This keeps the tree stable while the roots get established.
I filled the pot with soil, working it in around the roots with a chopstick. Gotta make sure there are no air pockets! I gently tapped the pot on the table to settle the soil.
Finally, I watered the tree thoroughly until water ran out of the drainage holes. This helps settle the soil and gives the roots a good drink after their ordeal.
And that’s it! My bonsai is now happily settled in its new home. I’ll keep a close eye on it for the next few weeks, making sure it’s getting enough water and light. It should be thriving in no time!
