Gnome wrote:
Please show us a sample of the soil you purchase before you re-pot.
Yes, Please do.
I just read your and Ynot's pieces about root pruning and got curious about the roots of my little tree. Here's what they look like:
It's Potbound, Not 100%, but note the circling roots. This issue is affecting your watering as well [More accurately the absorption of water as the rootball is compacted.]
More importantly, You need new soil. [Note the
difference between your soil and the soil you can see in Randy's [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4218-]ficus-chop thread[/url]That is NOT a top dressing you see. It is the contents of the pot clear through.]
Now, I've read in some of the recommended articles that root pruning should be performed in the least stressful time for the tree. We all know that my tree's been through a lot lately, bless its heart, so don't think it's a good idea to mess with its... parts... too much
It's true that what we are talking about is stressful to a tree to be certain. However, A root pruning and some Better soil would be very beneficial.
It is not going to get better very quickly the way it is.
But then, I would like for my tree to stay in this pot, and there really isn't much space for anything but the roots...
We can fix that

[You are going to be losing a whole big bunch of those roots.]
[Gnome, Randy, Full root pruning vs. A pie slice root prune? { As a band-aid to regain vigor until a full repot} What do you think?
Considering the previous stresses are unknown. Hmmm, Risk vs. reward... Actually, I am leaning towards the whole hog approach as it eliminates the old soil. Best be done with it IMO. ]
What would you recommend? Will I get a larger pot for now and then plant my tree back to the pretty pot

in a few weeks when it is ready for pruning?
A new pot does not address the [needing new] soil issue and you underestimate the length of the timing involved here.
It is not a matter of weeks-Repots are normally done [at the
most frequently] on a
yearly basis, Often there are two, Three or more years between repotting.
Please keep exploring with your research and asking good questions
good luck
ynot