New Bonsai transplanting and care questions

[markv309]

I just bought a new 4 inch Dwarf Jade Bonsai plant and have some questions. I've already killed a few bonsai started plants, so need some help. A picture of a my new plant and bonsai pot is attached.

1. How long should I wait until I transplant this bonsai to the new pot?

2. How long after replanting it should I wait until starting to shape it (and how much pruning would you suggest given it's a pretty big plan vs the pot)? Or should I reshape before replanting?

3. Any thoughts on care as I keep this inside? You can see it is getting some sun but I can find a sunnier window if you think it needs more. I plan to water it about once a week.

Thanks
Mark

 

[rockm]

Keeping bonsai inside is (imo) the hardest path to learning bonsai. Indoor conditions are extremely hostile to plants

ALL bonsai should be outside when conditions allow. This jade included. Full sun for six to eight hours a day all summer until the first frost. Then inside in the brightest spot in The house until spring

If you don’t have outdoor space, bright spot inside. Supplemental lighting will help quite a bit. Expect less than great results inside.

 

[Attmos]

I just bought a new 4 inch Dwarf Jade Bonsai plant and have some questions. I've already killed a few bonsai started plants, so need some help. A picture of a my new plant and bonsai pot is attached.

1. How long should I wait until I transplant this bonsai to the new pot?

2. How long after replanting it should I wait until starting to shape it (and how much pruning would you suggest given it's a pretty big plan vs the pot)? Or should I reshape before replanting?

3. Any thoughts on care as I keep this inside? You can see it is getting some sun but I can find a sunnier window if you think it needs more. I plan to water it about once a week.

Thanks
Mark

From what I understand, you should probly wait until late fall or very early spring to transplant. Also from what I gather, you might want to give it some time to recover from the transplant before starting to shape the tree.

As far as shaping it in it's current container, I think if you do that you'll have to wait much longer to put it in another pot.

I'm pretty new so don't quote me on that, but I'm sure some of the more experienced growers will chime in soon.

 

[SeanS]

Why do you need to repot it now?
Why does it have to stay inside?

 

[markv309]

Why do you need to repot it now?
Why does it have to stay inside?

1. the plant was sent to me in a shipping container, so it's ready to be transplanted
2. I prefer to keep it inside since my outside options are limited

 

[markv309]

I was asking if

Why do you need to repot it now?
Why does it have to stay inside?

1. the plant was sent to me in a shipping container, so it's ready to be transplanted
2. I prefer to keep it inside since my outside options are limited

 

[rockm]

1. the plant was sent to me in a shipping container, so it's ready to be transplanted
2. I prefer to keep it inside since my outside options are limited

Even the worst location outside is superior to anything inside.

Fwiw this plant doesn’t need to be repotted. You just want to repot it, which is ok -up to a point. It’s a jade plant and pretty tough. If you were to repot I’d do it while it’s hot and sunny outside

Good luck

 

[99 Mile Creek]

I’ve found that repotting jade can be done when it looks healthy (when the leaves are nice and plump and firm and not discolored). They also propagate easily, too.

One insult at a time,e.g., repotting, pruning.

Repotting will take some energy from the tree, the leaves will most likely wither and turn a little leathery. Allow them to rejuvenate at the very least before adding more stress from pruning. I’d personally allow it to recover till August at the very least before styling, as all those leaves about to be pruned will only help reestablish the roots.

If you’re going to keep it indoors, the best thing you can do is provide supplemental lighting. If you can place it outside during the warmer months and you don’t, you’d only be depriving it. But, if you have no other option, get a grow
Light of some kind.

As for watering, you should water as needed, not just once a week.

Welcome to the hobby and good luck.

 

[SeanS]

1. the plant was sent to me in a shipping container, so it's ready to be transplanted
2. I prefer to keep it inside since my outside options are limited

What’s a shipping container? It looks to be in suitably sized plastic pot. Pre-bonsai stock is often developed in plastic/clay pots or wooden boxes until at a suitable stage of development to be moved to a bonsai pot (at the appropriate time for repotting).
Does the garden looking area outside of your window belong to you? Looks perfect for a plant to live and thrive.

 

[markv309]

What’s a shipping container? It looks to be in suitably sized plastic pot. Pre-bonsai stock is often developed in plastic/clay pots or wooden boxes until at a suitable stage of development to be moved to a bonsai pot (at the appropriate time for repotting).
Does the garden looking area outside of your window belong to you? Looks perfect for a plant to live and thrive.

The shipping container is a cheap plastic pot and I want to put my bonsai in a clay pot. As for the garden behind the window, it is mine, but there is no place for the plant other than the ground, which isn't appropriate since we have a dog that uses that area.

 

[rockm]

The shipping container is a cheap plastic pot and I want to put my bonsai in a clay pot. As for the garden behind the window, it is mine, but there is no place for the plant other than the ground, which isn't appropriate since we have a dog that uses that area.

That’s not a shipping container. It’s a nursery pot use to grow plants
Rushing trees into bonsai container without considering the tree’s requirements is another major cause of newbie bonsai. This tree I not ready for a formal bonsai pot at this point. Needs some further development

 

[markv309]

That’s not a shipping container. It’s a nursery pot use to grow plants
Rushing trees into bonsai container without considering the tree’s requirements is another major cause of newbie bonsai. This tree I not ready for a formal bonsai pot at this point. Needs some further development

What "formal development" is needed before replanting?

 

[rockm]

What "formal development" is needed before replanting?

This is what is known as “raw stock”. It has not been pruned or treated with an esthetic eye i.e. bonsai development. It’s a bush in a pot for the most part

Development of bonsai is a process. It’s not just plunking a plant in a ceramic container. Placing bonsai in a ceramic pot is mostly the LAST thing in developing a bonsai

You can skip to the last step but doing so means your tree is nt really a bonsai per se. it’s a potted plant.

Jade is a pretty good bonsai subject that can make excellent bonsai as in the photo below from a noted professional bonsaiist’s site. It’s developed from a cutting—much less than what you have. It has been pruned and shaped top and roots into a bonsai Thought and artistic vision has been applied to it. It is not just a potted plant

Easy Bonsai. Seriously! - Graham Potter | Kaizen Bonsai Blog

Portulacaria bonsai are EASY when you know how and that's a nice change. here's a tree story about just how easy bonsai can be

www.grahampotterbonsai.com

 

[penumbra]

I prefer to keep it inside since my outside options are limited

Inside you plants health is highly limited.