Repotting new trees because of bad soil?

[SanderM3]

Hey people,

I just bought my first two bonsai from an online store. There's no physical bonsai store in my area.
I'm excited to start my bonsai journey on my balcony.

My question: The bonsai I bought (Ilex crenata and Ulmus parvifolia) are in soil that drains poorly and is also very compact. Is it wise to repot them? Without doing too much root work?


Cheers,

Sander

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

They're probably in coco coir, which is pretty open structured.
There is no way to repot them out of that soil without doing any root work. The elm will probably survive, but both will have a hard time if you do it out of season.
Keep in mind that these plants have been in this soil for a while, and they're doing not bad. That means the soil is not bad. You'll just have to watch your watering and adjust it accordingly; use a chopstick to probe the soil moisture level.
So to answer your question: No, it's not really wise to repot them now. Use fall or spring as a good time instead.

 

[Shibui]

Agree with above.
Slip potting - repot without removing old soil just introduces a whole new set of problems and can be worse than leaving in the current soil.
Repotting to replace the soil involves certain root damage which the trees may not recover from.
Also agree that someone before you has managed to grow and develop these trees in that soil so it must be possible for them to survive.
You just need to manage watering, location, etc to suit the existing soil for a few months until a more appropriate repotting time.

 

[SanderM3]

Thanks for the advice people. I will take it to heart and not repot now.
I'll keep an eye on the trees and water them according to the soil.