Repot Suggestions For Young JM

[Apex37]

Got a couple JM's the other day I'm thinking about repotting.

The 2gal is 'Koto Hime' I'm trying to decide to Ebihara into a 12"x15"x3" pot or putting him into a pond basket. I love how small the foliage is and the natural flare they begin to start with at such a young age. I was thinking of maybe him being a shohin down the road.

The small 4" pot is a rooted 'Kentarosan' that I really don't know whether to repot at all or just keep him in his little pot until next year.

Any suggestions?

 

[Gert]

I'm just south of you, but I haven't had good experiences with j. maples in pond baskets. I think a shallow container with no netting or a wood box would be best. I've gotten good results in these two options. You could even cut that 2 gallon can down to an inch or two tall and re-use that.

 

[Apex37]

I'm just south of you, but I haven't had good experiences with j. maples in pond baskets. I think a shallow container with no netting or a wood box would be best. I've gotten good results in these two options. You could even cut that 2 gallon can down to an inch or two tall and re-use that.

Yeah good call on the pond basket. I had thought about a box, but this little guy is pretty small, so not sure if it's worth all the trouble of building one. Maybe I'll just cut the container.

 

[Shibui]

The 2gal is 'Koto Hime' I'm trying to decide to Ebihara into a 12"x15"x3" pot or putting him into a pond basket. I love how small the foliage is and the natural flare they begin to start with at such a young age. I was thinking of maybe him being a shohin down the road.

Looks like the 'natural flare' is a result of this being a cutting or layer. Flared base is very common when there's lots of lateral roots at one level. Such a root system is likely to b shallow anyway and probably does not need Ebihara or a real shallow container. The enemy of JM is dry. Pond basket/colanders and even shallow trays dry out too quick in my climate so I agree with a pot for better growth.

I'd move the little one up into a larger pot for this summer to get growth and reduce chances of dehydration. Repotting will give the chance to check soil and see how the roots are on that one too.

 

[Apex37]

Looks like the 'natural flare' is a result of this being a cutting or layer. Flared base is very common when there's lots of lateral roots at one level. Such a root system is likely to b shallow anyway and probably does not need Ebihara or a real shallow container. The enemy of JM is dry. Pond basket/colanders and even shallow trays dry out too quick in my climate so I agree with a pot for better growth.

I'd move the little one up into a larger pot for this summer to get growth and reduce chances of dehydration. Repotting will give the chance to check soil and see how the roots are on that one too.

Well aside from the 15"x12"x3" Anderson flat tray, I have these three other pots that could be used. Really these are the only other pots I have available right now, so I should probably pick one and repot him here soon.

Tokoname 7"x3"


Tokoname 8"x4"


Unknown 10.5"x8"x3"

 

[Paradox]

Those are nice pots but to be honest, your tree isnt ready for a bonsai pot yet. Even for Shohin, it needs to grow a thicker trunk and to do that, it needs a larger pot.

 

[Kanorin]

I grew my kotohime in the ground for 2 years. It went from thinner than a pencil to almost an inch and a half thick. The nice thing about them is that the internodes will be short no matter what you do. I’d put it on a rock or tile and put in the ground.

 

[Apex37]

Those are nice pots but to be honest, your tree isnt ready for a bonsai pot yet. It needs to grow bigger and to do that, it needs a larger pot

Yeah fair. I'll just put it in a larger cut out plastic container or something.

I grew my kotohime in the ground for 2 years. It went from thinner than a pencil to almost an inch and a half thick. The nice thing about them is that the internodes will be short no matter what you do. I’d put it on a rock or tile and put in the ground.

I wish I could, but unfortunately not an option where I live.