Cape Honeysuckle Repot

[AZbonsai]

I bought this honeysuckle last September. I cut it back pretty hard then and have just done small trimming since. It is very healthy. I am not sure how long it has been in the container but I want to start training the roots a bit. Being relatively new at bonsai I am not as agressive as many with the root work. Feel free to comment and jump in if you see some glaring missteps! First I mixed my soil components together. About 5 gallons worth. I used (top left) pumice, akadama, scoria, NAPA 8822, and a bit of Fox Farms organic. High heat in AZ calls for some organics.

 

[AZbonsai]

Next, I got my tools ready (these are the photogenic ones) I used crappy beat up ones for actual work And the grow out box.

 

[AZbonsai]

1st cut with the saws all. A little less than half. There were roots growing out of the bottom holes.

 

[AZbonsai]

Next I loosened up the soil around the root ball with the root rake (I use a fork that I bent over in a vise). The goal here is to get through the initial packed in dirt.

 

[AZbonsai]

Next I hit it with the hose. Not a real powerful spray so as to not damage the roots but strong enough to remove the dirt.
This takes a while. I went back and forth with the water, fork, and root rake. I am not real aggressive with this.

 

[AZbonsai]

This is an idea of how much I took off. I worry about the roots drying out so when I clean them out I repot quickly. So quick I did not get a picture of the plant.

 

[AZbonsai]

I put some soil in the bottom of the box. And placed my plant centered. I gradually add soil to the box and work it in by hand and chopsticks. I do this whole procedure in the shade. I cover up to the roots and only leave a little. Of the roots that were previously on top exposed.

 

[AZbonsai]

This is the almost finished product. I put guy wires on the plant to secure it to the pot (and move a couple of branches into place). I water the plant well. This is it on my bench. It will not stay there I will move it to the shade for a week or two just wanted to see what it looks like.

 

[AZbonsai]

Ok. So I turn around to get the tree off the bench and it bloomed! It must be happy with the work I have done!

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Blooming is often a response to stress, and since it bloomed that quickly it might be a goner... jk, how long since the repot?

 

[pweifan]

I'm surprised you didn't cut off some of those crossing roots on the surface. Do you plan to remove them in the future or work with them?

 

[AZbonsai]

Blooming is often a response to stress, and since it bloomed that quickly it might be a goner... jk, how long since the repot?

About 15 minutes. It was spontaneous blooming! Not even a bud on it when I repotted!

 

[AZbonsai]

I'm surprised you didn't cut off some of those crossing roots on the surface. Do you plan to remove them in the future or work with them?

I will eventually cut them out. Summer and 115 degree heat is coming did not want to over work. Like I said I am pretty conservative on the root work.

 

[AZbonsai]

Ok...so maybe a couple or three blooms fell off of this honeysuckle I have in my back yard....

 

[pweifan]

D'oh!

 

[Cadillactaste]

About 15 minutes. It was spontaneous blooming! Not even a bud on it when I repotted!

I half feel...they went unnoticed. They couldn't push buds that quickly. ? looks amazing in bloom.

WAIT...THOSE BLOOMS CAME OFF THE OTHER HONEYSUCKLE!!!

 

[AZbonsai]

I half feel...they went unnoticed. They couldn't push buds that quickly. ? looks amazing in bloom.

WAIT...THOSE BLOOMS CAME OFF THE OTHER HONEYSUCKLE!!!

SORRY COULD NOT RESIST!

 

[Cadillactaste]

SORRY COULD NOT RESIST!

I must admit...I was a bit slow on the game. I am pretty gullible at times.

 

[pweifan]

Yeah, we were duped!

 

[AZbonsai]

I stuffed this honesuckle in a smaller pot and really whacked it down. Complete defoliation and now it has returned. Going to cut some crossing branches. The pot was a gift so I used it. I know it is not very bonsai like.......