Bonsaify | Repotting a Root Bound Nursery Tree

Root Bound. Root-Bound. Rootbound. No matter how you spell it, repotting a root-bound nursery tree is labor-intensive, difficult, and time-consuming.
00:01:06 Eric demonstrates with a Juniper, though the same techniques generally apply regardless of species.
00:01:34 Eric tries a few techniques, including cutting down the side of the container. Finally, he goes with a POWER TOOL!
00:03:17 Using the power tool is ok because Eric has identified the junction of the trunk and roots.
00:04:07 Finally free of its container, the Juniper has a lot of circling roots around the outside that need to be removed to create a little space.
00:05:00 Metal root hook vs chopstick.
00:06:03 Ideal timing for this operation is during your local repotting window.
00:07:23 Another round with the POWER TOOL!
00:07:52 Eric can tell the soil is too dense because the underside of the rootball is completely dry.
00:09:07 Why Eric chooses the size container to repot.
00:10:26 Why Eric did not bare root the tree.
00:10:52 Eric repots with a mix of perlite, cocoa coir, and bark.
00:11:29 Winter color on an Itoigawa; aftercare.
What experiences have you had with root-bound nursery trees? Have you ever had to go the POWER TOOL route? Share your experiences with us in the comments below. This video comes from a viewer request. Thank you for watching! Please share this video with your bonsai friends, and give it a like.

[@mattbrennan647]

Very interesting and informative video. I could (and have) watch your videos all day. In my opinion one of the premier bonsai channels on KZbin. Thanks, keep growing

[@iamianbennett]

Seriously! I’d buy every single one

[@iamianbennett]

Like that’s a $1k tree from a “nursery” but I can’t find a potentilla with more than a pencil thin trunk. Where do I get this “nursery stock” that he just complains about. Oh poor you - you can’t get the plastic nursery pot off. Guaranteed this was not at a regular nursery.

[@Bonsaify]

Nurseries come in many shapes and sizes. If you mean a home center mass-market nursery, not this is not from that. This tree was from Evergreengardenworks.com - Brent Walston. He's a specialty bonsai nursery. The struggle with the pot is real, but also a joke, but your sarcasm is appreciated.

[@YasuiBonsai]

I have to say, I came across your channel over the past month or so and I have enjoyed looking through your videos (I think I’ve now watched 80% 😂) some really great production and the knowledge is second to none. I my self can only keep mame- shohin sized trees so your mame playlist was spot on for me. Your concepts regarding scale and design is inspiring and has taught me a lot. Thank you Eric. I look forward to the next video

[@cbobgo1]

Glad to see these trees from Brent getting worked on!

[@eeeealmo]

Hey when are you gonna send me those pics so I can buy one lol

[@cbobgo1]

@@eeeealmo sorry, must have forgotten, also, not sure who you are?

[@Bonsaify]

😂 That's awesome. Hey Bob - do you have a bunch of these for sale still? I got some comments from people complaining that they can't find trees to buy...⬆️ and⬇️

[@Bonsai_Bentley]

That's a beautiful tree. Would love to see it in a bonsai pot.

[@axelv3655]

Thanks for sharing this, Eric!

[@rubber800]

Greetings from Switzerland! Always enjoyed your videos.

[@9daywonda]

As usual nice one ERIC.

[@memberphil]

What a damn beautiful tree!!!

[@chris_jeske]

A utility knife down two sides always works on nursery pots. They're very soft.

[@larryschwanbeck]

where can I get nursery stock like that??

[@LazarusvsLife]

Facts

[@Bonsaify]

This particular one came from Brent Walston/ evergreen garden works. But try reaching out to Bob Potts / Rough Cut Pottery via Instagram.

[@acer_p_bonsai]

Timely review of this process as we head into spring repotting season. I probably need to buy a reciprocating saw before I repot the big field grown Japanese maples. 🍁 🪴

[@user-do8oj1qv5u]

I have an itoigawa that has bronzed totally over but the foliage is soft to the touch and doesn't crumble so I'm "guessing" it's just sleeping, well more like praying because the trunk is very very nice

[@johnholloway691]

So bonsai pros use reciprocating saws for the same reasons I do. What a relief. I thought I was kinda cheating! 😜

[@Bonsaify]

There was a bit of a controversy when Walter Pall came out advocating it. But I actually use the saw in a bunch of different contexts. However, mainly in an application like this - very root bound. With most maintenance repottings I don't use a saw.

[@nickaleshin7149]

Goodness did y’all get a big cold snap? That’s some intense winter bronzing!

[@Bonsaify]

I've actually had 3 different long-time bonsai people ask me if the trees are dead. 🤷‍♂️ But they did the same thing last winter.

[@karltontom5817]

Mine looks exactly like that bronze color spring was warm then cold and I thought it was close to being dead Frantically repotted and fertilized and trimmed a few branches off I am not confident but am somewhat hopeful at this point

[@marnoster]

Cheers Eric! Am I right in assuming this tree will go into a wider Bonsai container one day? Do you think, given that you've flattened the rootball as significantly now, it might have been better putting it into a wider moderately shallow container like a smaller Anderson Flat or even a Colander , and maybe start getting the roots ready for their final form, whilst also giving it enough depth and width to grow fast? I just don't see the point in heavy root reduction like this on a single tree twice, without evolving them in the process.

[@Bonsaify]

I contemplated an Anderson flat, but ultimately the tree is quite far away from where I'm headed with it still. So a deeper container makes no difference. With more than half the pot full of fresh soil it will grow much healthier and faster than it did before. Unlike a pine or maple, there is little advantage in a wide shallow pot at this stage - we are not creating a nebari display in most cases with junipers. (The nature of lifelines pretty much eliminates a radial nebari.). But it would ultimately go in a 2-4" deep container so you are correct.

[@9daywonda]

Unnerving that one ERIC, like Mike Myers (the killer and not the Canadian comedian).

[@Bonsaify]

I aim to dice and slice.

[@oscars85]

What does the after care look like for this tree? Is it going onto a green house ?

[@Bonsaify]

Yes, in a greenhouse right now, and for about 1-2 months. Then back out in the full sun.

[@johnpugh5867]

A while ago you where dealing with Washington Hawthorn any idea where to get good seed please John UK ps love your channel

[@Bonsaify]

Hi - we get the seed from Sheffield's in Mass., USA. sheffields.com/seeds-for-sale/Crataegus/phaenopyrum///////565/Thornapple,-Washington-Hawthorn/Thornapple,-Washington-Hawthorn But I imagine you could get some English hawthorn locally - perhaps collected from a hedge row?

[@johnpugh5867]

@@Bonsaify Hi thank you I can get English hawthorn any time I have 20mt hedge of it it’s the Washington hawthorn I tried Sheffield seeds you have to buy £75 worth before they will send to UK only want a pack of seed can’t get in uk

[@Bonsaify]

Maybe find some friends and have a growing-from-seed contest....split that 75 pounds multiple ways.

[@soberhippie]

Why not put the tree into a wider shallower container at this stage?

[@Bonsaify]

That would work also, just isn’t super important in my mind for this tree. It has a way to go as a bonsai so the container shape at this point isn’t important.

[@tompeppi2635]

❤

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@mattbrennan647]

Foisting 😊

[@mmjnice97]

Your Method looks a little at extreme.. some good garden Scissors would make quick work out of the plastic containers, just cut down the middle 😂

[@Bonsaify]

For the pot yes, but it'd take you a few hours to get through the rootball that way...depending on the species and how rootbound it is.