Expert: BonsaiOutlet.com - 10/15/2010

Question
Hi. I have an oak tree bonsai, it's about two years old and last year I gave it's roots a bit of a trim. It's about 7 1/2 inches of 19cms tall at the top of it's trunk, the top few branches are a little taller. The pot it is in has about 5 inches of soil and is 23 1/2 inches around. I don't want it to grow any taller and would like for it to start growing thicker and stronger now, so my question to you is when can I repot it to a small, bonsai pot? I live in New Zealand and we are in our second month of Spring. As you can see in this photo taken today the tree has just started sprouting new growth. http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm137/helxig/P1000065.jpg

Answer
Hi Leigh,

The best time to repot an oak tree is in early spring, prior to budding. If the smaller bonsai pot does not require additional root pruning, its probably safe to transplant now. However, I would not fertilize the oak for a few weeks after transplanting.

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