Repot crabs EVERY YEAR ?

[Mike Corazzi]

Index says annually.

Crab Apple Bonsai Species Guides

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REPOTTING Annually in early Spring before bud burst using a basic soil mix.

I've repotted annually up to now. But only to try for larger pot base to resist wind.

This is what it's in now.



This was where it started.



Then to this:



Then this:



I'd probably be best off to use that last pot. At least is isn't as heavy when full of soil.

Is ANNUALLY an absolute? Tree grows like crazy.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Imho It depends on your goal for the tree, it’s developmental stage and if the media is draining properly.

A good example from our backyard would be if I had that tree, still in development stage, I would be chopping it back hard a lot to give the primary ands secondary branches an ancient gnarly look. My style, my timing, not advocating one way or the other.., Doing so the roots wouldn’t push as much then if one was to simply grow it out.

When I do this procedure our trees are usually reported every 2-3 years, sometimes more of the media holds up.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Imho It depends on your goal for the tree, it’s developmental stage and if the media is draining properly.

A good example from our backyard would be if I had that tree, still in development stage, I would be chopping it back hard a lot to give the primary ands secondary branches an ancient gnarly look. My style, my timing, not advocating one way or the other.., Doing so the roots wouldn’t push as much then if one was to simply grow it out.

When I do this procedure our trees are usually reported every 2-3 years, sometimes more of the media holds up.

Cheers
DSD sends

The reason it's so leggy is that I really like the ikebana look when it blooms.

 

[leatherback]

I do not repot by calender, but by tree needs. Over time you learn to read your trees and you just know, next year it is time (At least, thats how it works for me). I repot my crab every other year, which is sufficient to keep good growth & development.

 

[Shibui]

Developing trees seem to grow more roots. I guess that's understandable if the top grows a lot it needs more roots to support. Repotting may need to be more regular for trees at this stage. Some developing trees I have no problem repotting every year. I also repot most shohin annually to make room for new roots. Repotting yearly is no problem for younger, vigorous trees.
Older trees are trimmed more often to keep the shape under control. Less top growth = less roots so repotting can be less frequent. My older crab only needs repotting every 3-4 years now.
I agree with @leatherback Repot as the tree needs it. I push on the soil to check how tight the roots are in the soil. If the soil is still spongy soft there's still plenty of room for new roots. If the soil feels solid with no give it is likely the soil is full of roots so time for repot.

 

[rodeolthr]

My experience with crabapples in my climate is that they colonize the pots so quickly with roots, that I MUST repot them each year. I tend to use deeper pots for apples since they are water hogs for me and seem to like the extra space. I've found that if I don't do an annual repot, I have trouble keeping them moist by the end of summer.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Tu clima es mi clima.

 

[jandslegate]

I've had some that desperately needed it after only one year and others that were okay. I think pot size and age have large influence on in it. Ultimately you are most likely okay going longer up until you see signs of stagnation.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

I'm going to go back to that last pictured round brown pot. Yeah, it will then definitely need annual repot, but at least it will be lighter for the work.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Changed my mind. Got to recalling how the roots plugged up the works and water started pooling on surface.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Interesting.

Haven’t observed this in my crabs. Their roots are not anywhere near as dense as this…. Is it just a matter of the drain holes being clogged?

Almost sounds like an azalea planted in five yoa kanuma.!

Wondering what media/surface treatment folks are using…?

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Interesting.

Haven’t observed this in my crabs. Their roots are not anywhere near as dense as this…. Is it just a matter of the drain holes being clogged?

Almost sounds like an azalea planted in five yoa kanuma.!

Wondering what media/surface treatment folks are using…?

Cheers
DSD sends

There was more kakadama in it than I will allow nowadays.
May just adjust % and go for it with more lava and pumice.
Thanks for the memory jog.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Must be repotted every year on the 99th day between 10 am and 1 pm Greenwich Mean Time. Any deviation will cause the death of all persimmons world wide. And your hair will fall out.

Of course "it depends" is the only answer. "Individual results will vary".

 

[Mike Corazzi]

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[Eckhoffw]

....................../´¯/)
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Did you type this out or copy and paste?
It looks fast.

 

[leatherback]

Did you type this out or copy and paste?
It looks fast.

I was going to say it looks needlessly rude

 

[Mike Corazzi]

I was going to say it looks needlessly rude

Glad you didn't say it.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

....................../´¯/)
....................,/¯../
.................../..../
............./´¯/'...'/´¯¯`·¸
........../'/.../..../......./¨¯\
........('(...´...´.... ¯~/'...')
.........\.................'...../
..........''...\.......... _.·´
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I earned that one fair and square. Just teasing,

 

[Mike Corazzi]

I earned that one fair and square. Just teasing,

Shoot trimming.