So I have a question about repotting and cutting the roots, ... .
... one site I read stated to bareroot then let them air dry for a few days. I don't really want to do that but presumably they can handle chopping back enough to go in a bonsai pot?
Would you use a normal pot or a bit of a deeper one?
I've had one for several years. When I got it and took it out of the nursery can, it had several thick roots going straight down. They were the size and shape of carrots. I cut them off almost flush with the caudex.
It's the sap you have to stay away from. Allowing the roots to dry prevents rot to a degree. Wrap the caudex in paper towels while it dries if you worry about people/children/pets getting in the caustic sap while it dries.
I tossed the roots and let the stubs dry for several days.
Then I planted it in a regular bonsai pot.
This year I took it out of the mokko pot it was in, and the only thing I had that looked the right size was this 10" bright blue round. Not a good choice, I'm afraid, but it was available.
It had large roots again, this time sort of potato-looking things growing down and to the side of the base. Scary looking, but I left them on this time.
By the way -- if you want it to keep some sort of shape, be careful of the sap when you trim it. Those "twigs" are just as caustic as the roots.