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Advanced Techniques: Drastic Root Pruning
by Al Keppler

In Japan, this growth and recovery regimen is done on a continual basis between exhibits. A tree will be exhibited and then prepared the next four years for the next exhibit.

A plant may be left in for three years for special needs. This may the growing of branches, or the closing of large chop wounds. Wounds are fast to close in year three of a drastic root chop and left alone. Scar tissue builds fast with correct dressing of the scar. In fact, it may be so fast that it may have to be slowed down to not build to thick of scar tissue. This would be done by planting back in a show pot.

Fig 7. The Roots I removed
©2005 bonsaiTALK (Click to Enlarge)

The quince in this repotting sequence was purchased four years ago. Even though I have no pictures of the roots from four years ago I can tell you they were bad. I bought the tree at Muranaka’s Bonsai Nursery and that will be "enough said" for some of you out there. When I did the first repot, I had to take off the initial roots with a cleaver! I made a chop straight across the entire root mass and just hoped for the best.

The tree was allowed to grow in a bonsai pot. I had no need for actually increasing anything as far as size. I just wanted to improve the root system by drastic pruning. Each year the root system has been chased up the mass towards the root crown.