Newbie...HELP!

[japanpsyhic]

Okay, my mom bought me a Carmona bonsai tree, and I love it. I know how, and have pruned it. I have wired it, and am satisfied. However, I am not sure if the glued down rocks are helping my tree in any way. Right now, it is 9.5" tall, and 8" wide. What type of pot would be best? What would be the best soil mix option? {I would prefer a shallow tray, but is that appropiate?}

[IndorBonsai]

Remove the glued down rocks.

I don't know what a Carmona Bonsai needs for care, but the glued down rocks makes it hard to tell the condition of the soil, roots, or when to water your bonsai.

Here is a link that will help you not over water your bonsai,
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1479

I use the toothpick method because it is fast and easy to check when you need to water your bonsai. ( specially when you have over 20 of them )

With a few pictures we can give you some ideas on a pot for your Bonsai.
Here is a link on how to post pictures on this forum,
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3724

Hope this helps and welcome to the forum

[snowblind]

please for the love of the goddess remove the glued down rocks of death thay may look pretty but thay really do nothing for the tree just like IndorBonsai said you can ofc re use the rocks wen you repot but plant them into the new pot don't glue them

good luck

[japanpsyhic]

Thank you guys sooo much! I have removed the death trap of rocks, and put some looseunglued ones on top. I have noticed though, that there is a gel in the soil? The soil is dark brown, and looks healthy. My plant is in good shape. Is repotting it too much for it since I have newly pruned it? Would it put the plant into shock, or kill it? I'm new, and want ot have a healty tree.

Thanks

[japanpsyhic]

*add on*

The tag on my plant reads to keep it slighty moist. Does this mean I should not use the immersing method for my first day or so? Should I water until it drains???

*update*

The trunk is very loose in its pot. I am guessing that it is not secured in some way, definitely not with bonsai wire. There are no holes to secure the wire with to hold teh major roots with. Should I repot?

*pot*

The pot itself is 3" deep. The roots or base of the trunk start 1-2" above the surface of the pot. Good pot? No?


*image*

[url=https://img151.imageshack.us/I/135409.jpg/][img]https://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3913/135409.th.jpg[/img][/url]

I am trying for a design something like this...

https://cdn-viper.demandvideo.com/media/966a5b7a-08a3-405f-8364-0442bcbdb36f/jpeg/b7915338-c65d-44c9-a0c3-5de6c04f31c7_2.jpg

[IndorBonsai]

Don't move to fast
Because your tree was recently pruned and wired I would not re-pot it at this time.

Take care not to over water it. Water it until water runs out the drain holes in the pot, Or use the submersion method. Make sure to give your tree a drying out period between waterings. If you keep your soil to moist and don't give it a drying out period between waterings you might rot the roots and kill your tree.
This link will help you with watering your tree,
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1479

The tree probably is loose in its pot because it was grown in a 3 or 4 inch round starter pot, then placed in the pot it is in now just before it was shipped out to the store you bought it from. Most often bonsai that have been glued into their pots with the rocks are mass produced and haven't had time for the roots to grow and keep the tree stable in a bonsai pot.

The soil it is in now is probably not the best but with proper watering it should be fine. Let your tree grow and adjust to its new environment, Then re-pot it next spring. This will give your tree time to grow better roots and be stronger/ healthier when it is time to be re-potted.

[japanpsyhic]

Thanx.