JBP organic to inorganic media change

[badabing888]

Hi All,

Does anyone have methods or videos or other on how to transition a JBP from organic soil to inorganic soils?
The bare root 1/2 root ball method?
Slowly transition it as eventually the organic material breaks down washes out?

I read in some cases they will bare root a JBP in japan from field grown into pure pumice as it makes export / quarantine easier?

Would be great to hear people's thoughts

[shibui]

I've only ever bare rooted pines then straight into my preferred potting mix. No problems with any so far. Also do the same when transplanting JBP from the grow beds to pots. When I say bare root that does not include washing roots or scraping out every last scrap of old soil. Just do a moderate root prune, shake and rake out as much old soil as is easy to get then repot.
It may depend on the age of the tree. Younger trees recover much better than older trees.

The Half bare root thing seems to have mostly gained traction in USA. Not sure if that's because their climate needs it or whether it is just a fad following one of their bonsai gurus.

[badabing888]

Thanks i sat down with 1 of the local bonsai nursery owners and he said best way to know is pull it out and lets see.

He was confident we could do a repot as his had success with autumn repots as it was very root bound + circlular roots anyway so a aggressive repot was done with a media change to 1:1:1 (Pumice / Akadama / Lava) taking away as much organic soil as we could without totally bare rooting.

I did about about 70% of the repot being less experienced and conservative then he came behind me and did more again.

We'll see if it survives i'll admit im nervous he is not!

matted mess but lots of mycorrhizae below that matted mess

Screen Shot 2023-04-24 at 10.17.11 am.png

Matted mess removed + circular roots

Screen Shot 2023-04-24 at 10.17.20 am.png

Peter Odin cleaning up even more roots

Screen Shot 2023-04-24 at 10.17.29 am.png

Finished now we wait.

Screen Shot 2023-04-24 at 10.17.40 am.png

If it survives it will need a huge amount of work on the top to get rid of unusually thickened branches etc

[shibui]

We'll see if it survives i'll admit im nervous he is not!

This is completely understandable. You have a vested interest while he has none

As we see positive results from repotting we gradually become accustomed to doing things most people are horrified at, knowing the trees will take it in their stride.
Well done on seeking experienced guidance and help.

[kcpoole]

Like Shibui, i repot mine fairly aggressively,
I rake out most of the original soil and repot with my own Akadama based inorganic one

Ken

[badabing888]

Well 10 weeks later and its still alive so i guess its made it!

I've got it next to another tree same age / pot etc we decided to not repot and its actually got better colour.

i'll move onto the next one come late august as buds start moving.