Starting a Bonsai

Step 5 Potting in Layers and Wiring

Make sure your "tie down" wires are in place before adding the pea gravel. It is nice to have everything assembled before potting in order to have the roots exposed to the sun/air as little as possible. Of course there is no need to hurry too much if the roots are kept moist. Fill the bottom third or so of the box with pea gravel. I washed the gravel in a bucket first as it was dirty.

Next cover the gravel with some bonsai dirt in order to get it completely covered. Place the tree in and cover the roots with more bonsai dirt. The wires should come up through the roots at this point so you can tie the tree down. You will want the base of the trunk itself out of the dirt so plan accordingly. Try to work some dirt into the spaces between the roots. Once the tree is in place pull the wires taut (check underneath to make sure they are as it can be tricky) then twist the ends together to be tight enough to hold the tree in place, but not putting much pressure on the roots or trunk. I just put the ends of the wires back down into the tree under the dirt. Fill the pot up with more dirt and water the plant. This will work some of the dirt into the root system. After watering top up the dirt and water again. The dirt is likely dried out so it will need a couple of waterings about ten minutes apart in order to really get it soaked. You can also immerse the whole box in water if you have that big a bucket available.

I took a little of the mulchy dirt from the original pot and put it over the top. I feel this will help with keeping the bonsai soil moist, but not soggy. I kept the mulch away from the base of the tree itself. (this step open for debate)