Chopstick to check moisture.

[Mike Corazzi]

I'm thinking that if it is really HARD to get it in, it's a good indicator of needing a repot.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

One of the ways that I tell if my trees need a repot is how well the soil drains.
There may be other reasons the pot would not drain well but either way I need to get in there and have a look.

 

[Shibui]

I'm thinking that if it is really HARD to get it in, it's a good indicator of needing a repot.

I agree with your thinking.

 

[Paradox]

I'm thinking that if it is really HARD to get it in, it's a good indicator of needing a repot.

May be true but doing it at the right time is best if the tree is otherwise doing fine.

 

[Cajunrider]

I'm thinking that if it is really HARD to get it in, it's a good indicator of needing a repot.

Yep. I will need a jack hammer for my poinciana this coming spring.
Surprisingly, it still drains fairly well.

 

[Lorax7]

May be true but doing it at the right time is best if the tree is otherwise doing fine.

Yep. See the orange ribbon on the juniper in the background of this photo? That’s my “repot this tree at the next opportunity” marker. I use other ribbon colors for planned work that needs to be done at the appropriate time: green means plant it in the ground, blue means air layer it, purple means sell it at the annual club sale.

 

[Paradox]

Yep. See the orange ribbon on the juniper in the background of this photo? That’s my “repot this tree at the next opportunity” marker. I use other ribbon colors for planned work that needs to be done at the appropriate time: green means plant it in the ground, blue means air layer it, purple means sell it at the annual club sale.
View attachment 509948

I like that system.
Flagging tape can be bought in a variety of colors and can hold up well for several months as needed.
Can even write on it with a sharpie if needed. For example, orange for repot but can write "march" if it's an early budder to help with making sure you get them all done at the right time.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

One of the ways that I tell if my trees need a repot is how well the soil drains.
There may be other reasons the pot would not drain well but either way I need to get in there and have a look.

My oak "drains well" too..... OR.... the water is skirting the soil and going out the bottom.
I had posted a question of repotting due to the "too small" mica pot.



Majority responded to wait for spring and I agree, but this thing has CRAMMED the pot. With roots, I surmise.
In any event, the chopstick can be ...hammered...in.
Repot in spring is on the menu.