Too late to repot crab apple?

[Josephflores960]

Hello I just received this crab apple tree, I didn’t realize it is kinda root bound when I received it but is it too late to repot? How would I go about this? Thank you.

I live in South Texas near the border BTW.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Pretty late for that tree, even though crabs are very tough, for zone 10.

The first thing to ask oneself when contemplating a repot is, “ Does the media percolate?”

Having lots of roots is not a consideration for repotting unless the rootball does not allow water to flow through. (Looks ok from the photos, but clear the screen areas, plunk the tree back in the pot and check.). btw from experience crabs push long roots very fast.

If the rootball does percolate leave the tree in the pot for the growing season. Repot next year.

If it’s just ok, take our up a handy dandy 3/16” long drill bit, even 1/4” might be ok for a crab, and your favorite drill. Then drill multiple 6-10 holes in the top and bottom of the rootball. Repot next year.

While the year goes by, gather together all the materials you’ll need for the repot next year.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[Josephflores960]

Pretty late for that tree, even though crabs are very tough, for zone 10.

The first thing to ask oneself when contemplating a repot is, “ Does the media percolate?”

Having lots of roots is not a consideration for repotting unless the rootball does not allow water to flow through. (Looks ok from the photos, but clear the screen areas, plunk the tree back in the pot and check.). btw from experience crabs push long roots very fast.

If the rootball does percolate leave the tree in the pot for the growing season. Repot next year.

If it’s just ok, take our up a handy dandy 3/16” long drill bit, even 1/4” might be ok for a crab, and your favorite drill. Then drill multiple 6-10 holes in the top and bottom of the rootball. Repot next year.

While the year goes by, gather together all the materials you’ll need for the repot next year.

cheers
DSD sends

Sounds great, it drains still well for now. Would slip potting be on option or no?

 

[jandslegate]

Young crabs can be repotted anually but it's not the end of the world to go longer. DSDs advice is probably the safest course of action. I've done later repots on crabs and got away with it but I've also had one die from it. I used to stress if they didn't get root work and a repot regularly until I made myself let one go longer and it was totally fine. As long as you have percolation you're good.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Yep In a shallow bonsai pot.

A look at the media and Zone 10 were my decision points. Have had crabs in containers for 3 years with no harm. Third year grow slow a bit, but that’s just a jump start on ramification.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Sounds great, it drains still well for now. Would slip potting be on option or no?

One could do it, not sure what the tree would gain. Maybe a tad more more growth considering the timing.

One idea I had is to ground or maybe air layer the tree this year. That would get useful work towards later development done and put the crab ahead of lots of folks who never work crab roots and whose nebari always seems an afterthought. Perhaps up the ferts a bit and study up on this. Likely any time in April would be good.

Just an idea?

Cheers
DAD sends

 

[Shibui]

There's still way more space for water, air and roots in that soil. Remember that the first place roots head is down to the bottom and out to the sides of the pots so a few roots running around the bottom of the pot is NOT root bound. Root bound is when you can't see any soil structure, just roots all through the soil mass.
What would be the point of slip potting? What do you want from this tree?
My advice is to leave it as is this year and plan your strategy. Put down some short and long term goals for the tree then find out how to achieve those outcomes. Also slow down. Bonsai is a long term project so a year here or there won't make all that much difference in the scheme of things.

 

[Josephflores960]

Young crabs can be repotted anually but it's not the end of the world to go longer. DSDs advice is probably the safest course of action. I've done later repots on crabs and got away with it but I've also had one die from it. I used to stress if they didn't get root work and a repot regularly until I made myself let one go longer and it was totally fine. As long as you have percolation you're good.

Thank you for the feedback!

 

[Josephflores960]

One could do it, not sure what the tree would gain. Maybe a tad more more growth considering the timing.

One idea I had is to ground or maybe air layer the tree this year. That would get useful work towards later development done and put the crab ahead of lots of folks who never work crab roots and whose nebari always seems an afterthought. Perhaps up the ferts a bit and study up on this. Likely any time in April would be good.

Just an idea?

Cheers
DAD sends

Thank you very much for the feedback will do.

 

[Josephflores960]

There's still way more space for water, air and roots in that soil. Remember that the first place roots head is down to the bottom and out to the sides of the pots so a few roots running around the bottom of the pot is NOT root bound. Root bound is when you can't see any soil structure, just roots all through the soil mass.
What would be the point of slip potting? What do you want from this tree?
My advice is to leave it as is this year and plan your strategy. Put down some short and long term goals for the tree then find out how to achieve those outcomes. Also slow down. Bonsai is a long term project so a year here or there won't make all that much difference in the scheme of things.

Thank you for the feedback! I guess for now I’ll leave in the pot till next early spring.