Could someone help me with a bonsai? Plant was knocked over.?
Posted by Bonsai Care on Jan 8, 2009
I'm growing bonsai and one of them (a one year old red maple) got knocked over recently. The problem is it's in dormancy for the winter right now and the roots won't take back (so it just basically sits in the soil, not offering any resistance). I'm hoping I can save it, of course.
Now that sunlight is coming back, small buds are appearing along the trunk and the trunk is still flexible, so I don't think its dead.
Should I perhaps leave it in a glass of water for a day or two to stimulate the roots, or perhaps do something else?
I'm hoping to save it, of course. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
This is the perfect time to even trim the roots if they need it, that is, when the leaf buds are first appearing. However, it won't be necessary to trim the roots if it was not root bound. Get some top grade potting soil, and mix some COARSE sand with it (2 parts soil, 1 part COARSE sand). Put it back in the same pot. Whatever you do, don't put it in a glass of water.
You might want to check my Bonsai Care page on:
http://www.american-bonsai.com for potting information.
If you have more specific questions, you're welcome to email me:
wchoat@american-bonsai.com
p.s. 2/26. Don't use the fertilizer as someone has suggested. You don't ever want to fertilizer a sick plant. Just repot it in some good coarse soil so the roots will be happy again.
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The main thing you have to take care of is keeping air from the root system. This will dry out the roots, killing the plant.
I took a bonsai course, and the best way to solve this problem, is with a chopstick. Go figure. Use the smaller end of a wooden chopstick to pack soil in and around the roots. Poke the soil into all those crannies. Then water. This packing action will firm up the stability of the plant.
Enjoy your bonsai. They are really cool!
References :
Maybe get some Rootone at the plant shop or Wal-Mart. Rootone is a hormone that encourages plants to root. Put it back into the soil. It is having small buds it is trying to live. Give it also some fertilizer Peters Plant food is good for house plants and garden plants.
http://homeharvest.com/cutstrtrootagents.htm
References :
This is the perfect time to even trim the roots if they need it, that is, when the leaf buds are first appearing. However, it won't be necessary to trim the roots if it was not root bound. Get some top grade potting soil, and mix some COARSE sand with it (2 parts soil, 1 part COARSE sand). Put it back in the same pot. Whatever you do, don't put it in a glass of water.
You might want to check my Bonsai Care page on:
http://www.american-bonsai.com for potting information.
If you have more specific questions, you're welcome to email me:
wchoat@american-bonsai.com
p.s. 2/26. Don't use the fertilizer as someone has suggested. You don't ever want to fertilizer a sick plant. Just repot it in some good coarse soil so the roots will be happy again.
References :