How to Repot a Brazilian Raintree Bonsai

Wait until the spring or summer months to repot the bonsai tree. Put on garden gloves before handling the Brazilian raintree bonsai, since it has thick, sharp thorns on the trunk and the branches.

Spread newspapers over a work table and place the Brazilian raintree pot in the center of the paper. Place one gloved hand around the base of the bonsai tree and tilt the pot upside down to detach the root ball and the soil. If needed, tap the bottom of the pot gently three or four times to dislodge the roots.

Locate a shallow bonsai tree pot that is at least 2 inches wider in diameter than the previous pot. The depth of the pot only needs to reach 4 to 5 inches, since the tree roots grow outward, rather than downward. Make sure the pot you choose has at least four to five drainage holes in the bottom.

Open a roll of wire mesh and lay it flat on the table. Place the new pot upside down on it and trace around the outer edge of the pot, using a marker. Set the pot aside and cut along the marker line, using scissors or tin snips. Insert the mesh into the bottom of the pot to cover the drainage holes and ensure that no soil falls through them.

Loosen the soil around the Brazilian raintree roots, using a fork or a garden fork. Rake the soil gently to dislodge as much of it as possible without damaging the roots.

Cut off the bottom one-third to one-half of the root system of the bonsai tree, using hand pruners. When cutting the roots, only cut the ones that are very thin and hair-like, leaving all thicker roots intact.

Fill the bottom of the bonsai pot with a soil specifically for bonsai trees until it covers the bottom by approximately ¼ inch. Place the Brazilian raintree bonsai tree roots on top of the soil and add more soil to the top until it reaches the bottom of the trunk.

Water the new pot until all of the soil mixture is thoroughly damp.