Some help with a citrus?

[Wally5]

Hello! I have this 3-year-old seedling raised from seed that I just ordered a sorely-needed larger pot for. However, it's grown in a deep pot, and the new pot is quite shallow (1 inch or 2 inches, depending on if I use the medium or large). Any advice on a safe transfer? I'm quite attached to this plant and would like it to survive. I ordered proper tropical bonsai soil as well. I'm also considering planting some moss atop the soil, would that be a good idea or no?
It just put out some fresh leaves and there's a root protruding from the bottom hole of the pot so I figure it's past time.

 

[Burl]

Welcome! Repotting season for most non tropical including citrus trees is spring, ideally just before bud break. I would not do root pruning now but a slip pot (bigger pot with more soil without root pruning) is possible. Also consider using more granular soil for better aeration, because roots need oxygen besides water and nutrients. In tropical bonsai the timing is less important. Moss can be added for aesthetic purposes and can help the soil from drying out too fast but is not needed for development. If you are keeping it indoors consider keeping it outdoors for more light.

 

[Wally5]

Welcome! Repotting season for most non tropical including citrus trees is spring, ideally just before bud break. I would not do root pruning now but a slip pot (bigger pot with more soil without root pruning) is possible. Also consider using more granular soil for better aeration, because roots need oxygen besides water and nutrients. In tropical bonsai the timing is less important. Moss can be added for aesthetic purposes and can help the soil from drying out too fast but is not needed for development. If you are keeping it indoors consider keeping it outdoors for more light.

So just put it in a bigger pot of a similar depth for now until next spring? And would you have any specific soil reccomendations? And I've been keeping it in the sun; I'm in Virginia so I worry the heat and extremely bright sun would burn it. Would it be better/alright in the shade outside?

This plant is either a Navel orange, a clementine, or a lemon, if that helps. I had the seeds a bit mixed up before sprouting so not 100% sure

 

[PerryB]

So just put it in a bigger pot of a similar depth for now until next spring? And would you have any specific soil reccomendations? And I've been keeping it in the sun; I'm in Virginia so I worry the heat and extremely bright sun would burn it. Would it be better/alright in the shade outside?

This plant is either a Navel orange, a clementine, or a lemon, if that helps. I had the seeds a bit mixed up before sprouting so not 100% sure

I'm in Northern Virginia, too. Although I have quite a few bonsai trees, none of my citrus are in bonsai pots.
I have both a Key Lime and a Meyer Lemon. Both are about 4 feet tall and produce fruit. Both are 8n full sun until October and then move into my greenhouse.
Slip pot for now, and then if you want it as a bonsai, do it in December. My trees start blooming in January, so you want to be ahead of that.

 

[Wally5]

I'm in Northern Virginia, too. Although I have quite a few bonsai trees, none of my citrus are in bonsai pots.
I have both a Key Lime and a Meyer Lemon. Both are about 4 feet tall and produce fruit. Both are 8n full sun until October and then move into my greenhouse.
Slip pot for now, and then if you want it as a bonsai, do it in December. My trees start blooming in January, so you want to be ahead of that.

Thank you! When the soil I ordered arrives I'll get it in a bigger pot. Any tips on root pruning when I move it into a bonsai pot in November? I've grown jade trees, but that's the extent of my experience and I'm not confident in doing it without any prior knowledge

 

[PerryB]

Thank you! When the soil I ordered arrives I'll get it in a bigger pot. Any tips on root pruning when I move it into a bonsai pot in November? I've grown jade trees, but that's the extent of my experience and I'm not confident in doing it without any prior knowledge

I haven't ever done any root pruning on mine since they aren't bonsai, but I think you'll be fine doing it in November/December.