Just got Osakazuki from nursery - with some leaf damage - repot or wait?

[Overfiend1981]

Hi All,

Relatively new to the bonsai journey and completely new to the forum posting Firstly, thanks everyone for sharing the inexhaustible knowledge. It's fantastic read and much appreciated.

Secondly - looking for a bit of an advice on how to proceed. I just got (2 weeks ago) an JM Osakazuki from Ornamental Trees in UK - it's about 3 feet tall (5l pot), arrived in sorry state, all branches bundled together and some leaf damage (scorching etc).

As the tree now fully in leaf, I'm thinking twice about repotting it but I'm really not sure about the soil the tree is in as although the tree sprung up a little, the leaf scorching seems to persist.

My main dilemma is whether to risk repotting it now (as it's late April, forgetting about the leafs for this season) or risk not doing anything and just continue watering it hoping for the best until either August / September or next spring.

It's north west of UK - Chester / Liverpool area so it's relatively mild temp-wise.

Some pictures attached.

Any advice from your experiences would be most appreciated.

Kind regards

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I would not repot and water it according to the soil type it's in.
You risk more by repotting now, than by just letting it be for a year.

 

[Overfiend1981]

Thank you,

I presume this soil is just a generic compost + some bark type soil and will be much slower draining than my other substrates (which are mostly akadama based).

My assumption there was once / twice a week roughly until we get into very hot season (if it arrived in UK of course ).

 

[fredman]

Yeah its a bit on the late side to replant. Just enjoy it for this year. Stick a long chop stick in there...and water accordingly.
I love the leaf shape and the colour come autumn.
The leaves do reduce some in time but overall its better suited to a large sized bonsai. I'm starting over on mine as it took me a few years to come to that realization....
I don't see it being in a "sorry" state.

 

[Shibui]

Agree with the others. Repot now carries more risk than leaving it in the commercial potting mix. You will need to pay attention to this pot and water according to the soil, not by the calendar/ times per week. That soil obviously works well for the nurseries that grow these trees and can for you too. It will just be different from your other trees needs.

 

[Overfiend1981]

Thanks very much for the advice everyone. I'll roll along with it for a year then

 

[RoadManDenDron]

Just wanted to add the wirral bonsai society is close to you and meets at the RAFA club in Birkenhead 2nd Wednesday of the month

There are some very experienced members there with many years of local knowledge, some from North Wales, Chester and surrounding areas

 

[Overfiend1981]

Thanks very much for pointing that out I'll look it up