Soil staying too wet, should I replace soil now?

[simoncools]

Ive been noticing that the soil in all my other bonsai dries out (on the surface at least) after 1 warm summer day.
My maple however, has not gotten water for 2 days while it has been very hot and dry outside and still the soil feels moist to the surface.

I want to replace the soil that the tree came in with some well-draining bonsai soil.
Would it be safe to do now, mid summer, if I don't disturb the roots all that much?
The tree has gotten a good pruning a few weeks back and its growing vigorously now.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

No, just change your watering schedule. In the heat of summer, trees can use less water. Repotting now is not recommended.

 

[penumbra]

Japanese Maple, no. You can drill some holes in the soil and dribble some coarse substrate in the holes like pumice or lava. You can also elevate the pot.
This is only a suggestion based upon my experience. There is no definitive answer for a plant that cannot be viewed and examined. But I feel that repotting except it the most extreme circumstances is not a good idea right now.

 

[Tieball]

How about a photo? It would be helpful. Seeing the container can also contribute to moisture management ideas.

 

[dbonsaiw]

Don't repot now. Just water less often. Fix the soil issue early spring at next repot.

 

[BaKiBonsai]

You could place the pot on soil in a way that the soil touches the drainage holes. The capillary function of the bottom soil will draw water from the pot, essentially you are lowering the water table.

Don't know if it is necessary though.

 

[jagboy69]

Don't repot now. Just water less often. Fix the soil issue early spring at next repot.

Hey, please educate me.. When exactly do we repot these? Before buds appear or right after? Or should I let it pop leaves then rip it out of the pot?

 

[Treelord]

by standard bonsai methods, you repot acer palmatum just as you see the bud break (small green opening in the buds).
If you let it pop out leaves its a bit too late, but still doable with proper care..

Here in Italy we have mild winters so i also sometimes repot deciduous in november,december,january.. so its also location and climate specific. Seeing you are in 9a Texas, i would say do it late February.

Just avoid the very hot season for any work whatsoever!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Drill the media and chock up one side of the pot about 1/4-3/4”

Sure thing. Please no ripping

We repot ours just as the buds begin to swell. Sometimes earlier, sometimes a bit later. Maples aren’t all that fussy ime. Never any issues.

Best and Hsppy Thanksgiving to you.

DSD sends

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I repot as buds swell/start to activate. I usually repot them right after my malus which are always the first to break dormancy in late winter, spring.

I would be careful now in winter - make sure you provide protection from soggy cold roots if the tree has drainage issues.

 

[jagboy69]

Thanks for the advice and good call on the soggy soil. I'll blanket them under cover on the patio after the leaves drop. It's just now dipping into the 40s here in West texas.
Last year I had a starter crape myrtle that did great, dropped it's leaves and never woke up. I thought I did good keeping it in the cold garage, still not sure what happened to that one. Let's hope I can get my guys to wake in the spring.