New bonsai

[WaterLily]

Hi everyone. This is my first time on this site and I am hoping you can help me. My husband bought me a Mugo pine and an Azaelia for Christmas. He looked after them for two weeks and then gave them to me. The trees look fine with new growth appearing but when I test them the soil is solid. Today I thought I would give them new soil. They are both so pot bound and I didn't think it was the right time to root prune. I took some soil out and replaced it with new. Have I done right? We live in Arizona - not in the valley and not as high as Flagstaff. We do get temps of 100 degrees in summer. I used to have bonsai trees in the UK and was successful but I haven't been keeping anything alive since being here so it is quite frightening to think I have to root prune so early. Any advice to come my way will be received gratefully. Many thanks

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

Pictures would help. I used to live in Prescott if you're anywhere near there- the thing to watch out for is hot drying winds, they will kill trees very quickly in the summer. Also the water is terrible out there, you may want to get it tested at least, your trees will decline over a span of years if the water is bad (hard water, toxic metals, etc).

 

[WaterLily]

Pictures would help. I used to live in Prescott if you're anywhere near there- the thing to watch out for is hot drying winds, they will kill trees very quickly in the summer. Also the water is terrible out there, you may want to get it tested at least, your trees will decline over a span of years if the water is bad (hard water, toxic metals, etc).

Hi. The trees look fine. It is the worry about root pruning at this time of year. I think it is too early in the season but I don't really know. I live in Dolan Springs which is just over the border from Nevada. The water is crap and I use filtered water for all my succulents and they are fine. Both the trees are absolutely pot bound. When is a good time to root prune? Thanks for your help

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

For Azalea, report and root prune in April or before flowering as the buds activate. For mugo, a month later unless temperatures are warm, in which case you can do it in April.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

It's probably a bit early in the year, I'm not familiar with where you live but Kingman would still be cold. Both species should show bud activity before you repot and root prune. Be careful with the pine, but like I mentioned pictures will help greatly.

 

[WaterLily]

Hi. The trees look fine. It is the worry about root pruning at this time of year. I think it is too early in the season but I don't really know. I live in Dolan Springs which is just over the border from Nevada. The water is crap and I use filtered water for all my succulents and they are fine. Both the trees are absolutely pot bound. When is a good time to root prune? Thanks for your help

Thank you for your help. I'm very gratful

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Wecome Aboard BonsaiNut!

Likely the Mugo will do fine. Except in the days over 95F

The azalea is going to be a bit of a challenge in the heat. Also, please do not let it freeze. @Charlo is in Albuquerque and keeps azaleas, thinking she would be a great resource. Might want to PM her.

Some useful advice. Photos really help when posting questions.

When looking for trees to bonsai, check out the local nurseries in your town. The only way they can make money is to sell stock which can take the environment. So these tree often make the best bonsai for your area.

Also, the resource person at a nursery can help explain the nuances of each species. Keep in mind that once a tree is potted it loses at least 1-1.5 Cold hardiness zones then listed

Lastly, please double click on your icon atop the page, then account details, scroll down and enter your approximate location (close enough so the information is useful for folks advising you) and USDA Plant Cold Hardiness zone. He information will appear on your posts from then on. very useful to everyone.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[WaterLily]

Hi. Thank you so much. I will keep the azalea indoors except maybe an hour or so a day when outdoors when it is hot. We have made a screened in porch outside with window sills and the trees will sit out there for a time. We have actually some cold nights forecast for the next week. I've had the bonsai trees out during the day to give them some sun but have brought them in each night. As I have mentioned my worry was that the soil in the pots is solid and it is too early for root pruning. I managed to get some soil out and replaced a little with new. I hope it will be fine for them until April. I haven't yet got the hang of taking photographs and uploading them. I will try to learn asap.
We live 50 miles from the nearest town (Kingman) and the garden center there know nothing about bonsai. If you want to buy one they show you a catalogue to choose one from.
I have filled in some information in on my account as suggested. I am really looking forward to keeping my trees alive thanks to the help I have received from this site. THANK YOU ALL!!

 

[WaterLily]

It's probably a bit early in the year, I'm not familiar with where you live but Kingman would still be cold. Both species should show bud activity before you repot and root prune. Be careful with the pine, but like I mentioned pictures will help greatly.

At the moment we are still in the 50's during the day but this week coming the temps are due to drop into very low 30's. All my succulents and the bonsai are now indoors.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

It's ok to leave the mugo outside, unless temps get below 0F.

 

[Gabler]

It's ok to leave the mugo outside, unless temps get below 0F.

Not just okay, but necessary. Temperate trees need a winter dormancy. The azalea should probably go out, too, depending on the variety. A light frost is no big deal. Even some tropicals can handle temperatures in the low 30's.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

Well, yes, of course, with the exception being shelter for dormant trees from severe temps in a cold garage or other space. Good clarification.

 

[Gabler]

Well, yes, of course, with the exception being shelter for dormant trees from severe temps in a cold garage or other space. Good clarification.

I don't take my trees off of my benches until the temperatures are below 25ºF. Well, except for ficus. That includes my satsuki azalea. It's a hardy cultivar. The only time I worry about cold weather is early spring. Japanese maples like to push new growth too early, and a late freeze will kill off the new growth, which will severely weaken and occasionally kill a tree.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Thanks for the profile information! Well done.

All ok except the azalea. 33F is ok, but don’tl let it freeze solid in any case….

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[WaterLily]

Thank you all for your comments. From tonight the temps are forecast to be 33degrees to 27 degrees for the next week at night but the daytime should be in the mid 50's. There is so much growth appearing on the azalea that I brought it in because I thought I would damage its growth. My husband say he will take photos of the trees tomorrow so hopefully I can get them on the site. Thanks again for advice. You are all amazing.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

For Azalea, report and root prune in April or before flowering as the buds activate. For mugo, a month later unless temperatures are warm, in which case you can do it in April.

Just to expand on this. Azaleas are ideally repotted for a maximum year’s growth based upon three things. Dates are not key as location and conditions can vary.

1. Buds just swelling/branches color change. This is the key signal.
2. Weather forecast for next week
3. Ability to greenhouse or otherwise care for tree properly for the next six weeks to recovery.

For repotting one has two options.

a. Repot in similar media.
b. Completely root wash all old media out and replace with an entirely new media, usually bonsai media. (We use 90/5+BC = 90 kanuma/10pumice+5% biochar mixed into the base mix. Maybe too dry for folks with hotter weather.)

The first repot in new media should done into a Tokaname or similar depth container. Azaleas resent shallow containers. Sure they’ll grow, but not as prolifically or a healthy as if they are in a proper depth container.

Thus 95% of the containers in the market are too shallow for azalea. (and quinces etc). Forget about the trunk width to depth of container formulatic stylistic approach to bonsai when it comes to azalea container depth. Go deep.

The Japanese tried for years to use these formulas for shows, only to see their heritage trees take big hits in health after shows. Nowadays the majority of their azalea shows feature much deeper pots… and afterwards these trees are placed in even deeper pots.

Cheers
DSD sends