Planting Bonsai

By the very nature of the way that they grow Bonsai trees have a limited source of nutrients. When re-potting they need a compost that provides the correct balance of drainage, water retention and aeration needed to develop a healthy root system. Choose Westland Bonsai Compost for great results.

Step 1
Choose a suitable Bonsai dish to replant your Bonsai tree into. It needs to be shallow and just slightly larger than the dish your tree is already growing in. You can also re-potyour bonsai into the tray it is already growing in.

Step 2
Line the base of the new dish with a layer of Horticultural Grit; this will improve the drainage. Add a layer of Bonsai Compost.

Step 3
Water the Bonsai tree thoroughly and leave it to soak into the compost. Remove the Bonsai tree from the container it is growing in. gently crumble away any loose compost around the roots, exposing the roots so that you can see them.

Using special Bonsai pruner, gently trim out about one third of the root system. Choose roots from around the root ball so that you do not cut them all from the same place. Shorten any very long roots.

Step 4
Place the trimmed root ball on top of the Bonsai Compost in the planter. The bonsai tree should be at about the same level in the compost as it was in its original container. Don't plant it any deeper or leave it more exposed. Fill in around the roots with more Bonsai Compost, firming in gently.

To keep your Bonsai tree in good shape you need to re-pot it and prune the roots every 2 years.