Feeding After Re-Potting

I have always been lead to believe that a tree should not be fed for six weeks after re-potting, but the feeding advice on the Bonsai-4-me site contradicts this, saying that feeding immediately after potting is beneficial to the tree and unlikely to cause root burn. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Lee.

I always add a time release fertilizer during repotting. If you moved to a new house would you quit eating for six weeks. (I might current situation mighe be a good idea.)

Hello lee,
I have also been lead to believe that you dont feed for at least a month
After re-potting but I have heard that this is a myth and on that note I was thinking of
Fertilizing with maxi crop just after re-potting.
Anyone else shed some light on the subject ?

We're likely to get into another long debate here, but there is nothing wrong with feeding after a repotting. I feed full (label) strength with my first watering after all repots -- even those where many roots were cut. I've never seen a problem.

Here's what Brent has to say (in part):

"Another common bonsai myth is that sick or recovering plants, or newly
transplanted bonsai should not be fertilized. The analogy is that it
will over feed the patient or is the equivalent of over dosing with
vitamins. I think the proper analogy should be that feeding at half
strength or not all is analogous to not taking your medicine, vitamins
and nutrition when you are sick.

"The recommended strength is designed to produce a soil solution
of fertilizer salts at a specific range of electrical conductivity. In
this range it is very easy for plants to pick up the various N,P, and K
ions. It doesn't matter if the plant is a seedling, newly rooted
cutting, newly root pruned bonsai, or recovering plant. They all will
pick up nutrients more easily if fed in this range.

"Roots are roots. Probably the most tender roots you will ever come
across are the newly formed adventitious roots on a cutting. These are
very fleshy and extremely fragile. I have fertilized my newly rooted
cuttings (and seedlings) for years with full strength soluble
fertilizers and they have all thrived. In fact, they quickly show
chlorosis if I don't feed them at this level."

http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/fertiliz.htm

I think not feeding would be a mistake. What roots "want" to eat will and the ones that don't won't! (Yeah, I know, want has nothing to do with it.)

Worst thing you will do is waste fertilizer, best thing it will do is provide the necessary nutrients to assist in, or speed up, the recovery.

Jay

"QUESTIONING" is one of the most effective learning tools. I am glad to see another myth busted

I have fertilised repotted trees after about 2 weeks and the trees seem to be taking well to it. I also add organic fertiliser like compost to my soil mix as well.

Ravi

Perhaps, one should check for responses on soils that are heavily inorganic and soils that are more organic.

For example - inorganic 70 % to bark or similar
and - inorganic 70 % to compost or similar.

Bonsai are not used like vegetables or fruit trees and what is in the pot [ organically ] may be enough for a year or two easily, even if fertilizer was not used.

I follow the after 1 month fertilize, but I use compost, plus some cocopeat, [ which has to decompose and may eat nitrogen.]

BUT then the - myth - may actually be who cares what the internals of a bonsai looks like?
Khaimraj