New to Bonsai

[Jburns1325]

Hi everyone, my name is Justin and I’m new to bonsai. I have expressed interest over the last 6 or 8 months in it to my gf, and for my birthday she ordered me a juniper from a local nursery. I received the juniper about 10 days ago and have been deep diving into a bunch of different bonsai beginner classes online. When I received the bonsai i repotted it into the bonsai pot the root system was big and the trunk. It was what I believed to be too big for the pot but after trimming the roots I was able to get in into the bonsai pot. But now after my soil starts to get a little dry the weight of the foliage is to heavy for it to stay in the pot and pretty much just keeps uprooting the bonsai, I have been really worried about him this whole time and if anyone could give me some pointers on what I should or shouldn’t do I would really appreciate it.

 

[crab apple]

When you get a new tree you can just keep it alive till you research what to do with it. Usually you wouldn't repot it untill the end of winter. To repot now and do root work is very risky. Also watch some youtube videos of how to wire one into a pot for stability. Since you already repoted it you can improvise a way to wire it in the pot, maybe wrap wire or tape around the whole pot and wire the trunk to that untill it is stable. If it was fast growing you could cram a rock or brick inbetween the plant and the soil and that might hold it in place but cuz this was repoted out of season the roots won't spread quickly so go with the wire method. Also smaller pots are for more finished bonsais.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Agree with crab apple on repotting but what’s done is done. You can put some larger rocks around base of tree to hold soil until roots reestablish themselves which I have done and seems to work well

 

[99 Mile Creek]

From the photos, it appears there isn't that much substrate in the pot to begin with. Maybe add some more and lightly brush off the remainder from the top. You might be inclined to smash or compress the trunk down -- don't do this, as over compacting the substrate can smash what little roots you have left, injuring them and eliminating essential air spaces in the process. Roots need to breathe too! Though, paired with Jrmchich's advice, some weighted substrate to top it off should be helpful.

You might also try guy wiring till the tree can stand on its own too (example attached).

Good luck. Let us know if you have any more questions, and I hope it recovers well for you!

 

[Deleted member 47471]

1) YouTube videos on how to repot and secure a bonsai tree into pot.

2) Acquire all necessary materials (including soil - akadama, lava rock, pumice 1:1:1) follow the instructions, ensuring tree is tightly secured. A loose root system will lead to poor health.

3) Do not repot in Summer. Chances of survival are very low. Repot in Spring.

4) A water/humidity tray is not needed.