side of the root mass. The base of the tree should be just
slightly above the top rim of the container. Make sure the
tree is positioned at the correct angle and does not look off
balance in the container.
Next, bring the two ends of the tie down wire across
the top of the root mass. Using a pair of pliers, take out
any slack in the wire and twist the ends of the wire to-
gether securing the root mass in place. Make sure during
this process you do not pull the drainage screen off of
the holes in the bottom. Clip the ends of the wire off and
bend the sharp points into the soil mass. This wire is only
necessary to keep the tree from tipping over for the frst
few months. Once the roots have had the opportunity to
establish themselves you may clip the wire at the surface
and pull it out through the drainage holes.
Next, comb out the roots a little more and begin
adding bonsai soil to the container. The objective here is
NOT to make a root sandwich, i.e. - a layer of soil, a layer
of root and another layer of soil. Rather, you should use a
chopstick or wooden dowel sharpened to a point and work
the soil in and around the roots. The soil mix should be
bone dry in order to facilitate this process effciently.
Chopsticking soil around roots can be tedious and
time consuming, but it is critical to the future health of the
plant. There is no room for air holes in a bonsai pot... only
roots and soil. Take care to fll all the vacant cavities with
bonsai soil. As you wiggle the chopstick back and forth,
press down with your fnger tips to feel the surface of the
soil. You will discover you can feel those areas in the con-
tainer that need more soil.
Once you feel that all air pockets have been elimi-
nated and that soil has been properly worked in between
all the roots, you may use a brush to sweep remaining soil
down to the edge of the pot.
At this point any fne roots which are sticking up
out of the pot should be trimmed off with a pair of sharp
shears. If not, these roots will expirate water and desic-
cate the plant.