Hey! Good pics!

I'm not sure why the soil smells that way, either, unless there's something in there that becomes aromatic when moistened? A fertilizer perhaps?

As far as root-pruning, I've taken all my cues from Al. That heavy circling taproot...I would cut all that bottom stuff off completely, then I'd whack some of those other exceptionally long roots, too. Of course, there's going to be some shock to the plant.

That's the other thing....these trees are in full leaf. Don't they need lots of sunlight to hold their leaves during the Winter?

Josh

Hi Josh,

Right now I'm keeping them under my bonsai grow lights, that set-up is in front of an east facing sliding glass door.

I've dealt w/ smaller B.C.'s before, they are notorious for having monster tap roots.

The very 1st one I ever bought died because I removed too much root. The tree was only 5-6 inch's tall, the tap root was 1 1/2 feet long.

I don't know, should I take a saw to the bottom 1/3? or bare root it, then do some root selection.

Rob

I'd be inclined to saw off the bottom, then let the root-mass redevelop. Next re-potting won't be nearly as difficult.

Josh

Thanks Josh, (I was editing in a pic above at the same time you were posting)

Rob

Anaerobic composting was the 1st thing that came to mind, but after removing it from the pot, the soil & roots looked fine.

The problem must be related to something going on inside the root ball. Like I said above, when the soil was moderately dry, the outside smelled like soil.

Rob

Ok guys, here are some pics of the root ball.

Should I saw off the bottom 1/3, then remove the rest of the soil & re-pot?

Any ideas?

Rob

My initial reaction is to say 'Yes,' but I would like to see what Al has to say first.

Sure looks like plenty of root-mass to play with....

Josh

Just found this thread. I talked a bit about your tree (immediately above) and the roots. The other tree has stellar potential insofar as the roots go. How is that tree doing? I didn't read the whole thread - just assuming we're talking about 2 different trees.

Al

Hi there Al,

I'm so sorry to here about your weather, you've been hit hard this time around.

Thank you for your input. Yes these are 2 different trees, the 1st one is showing some new growth, but only on 7-8 branch tips, I'm not giving up though, I took 4 cuttings before it went down hill, they're doing great. I had big plans for that one, which is why I asked you about nebari in the first place, then suddenly dropped the subject.

The 2nd one does need some pruning, but not as much as you would think. I'm going to take it back quite a way though, before I start on the roots. My Enonymus is the one I have to keep an eye on. I was hoping to try my first air layer on one of them. Sounds like you know numerous techniques on the subject.

Btw, you guys ever find tiny snails on a tree?

Thanks again

Rob