# Maple pre-bonsai from nursery - how to repot **URL:** \ **Category:** Horticulture\ **Created:** [January 19, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/maple-pre-bonsai-from-nursery-how-to-repot/11260 "2024-01-19T02:22:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Forestcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/76d3ee/32.png) [@Forestcat](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Forestcat)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/maple-pre-bonsai-from-nursery-how-to-repot/11260/1 "2024-01-19T02:22:19Z")
I purchased 8 dwarf maples from a nursery in northern California. They are 1-gallon size. The nursery grew them in a mix that included lots of shredded redwood and they arrived with the root ball (sans pot) wrapped in plastic. I would like to grow them on to sell at a future club show, but I’m not sure what type of pot and medium to use. If they were for myself, I would put them in a large Anderson flat, potted in a mixture of bark, lava, garden soil and some bonsai mix, so that the trunks could enlarge. I don’t have enough flats to do this, though. I think it is too soon to put them in a bonsai pot with akadama. Should I find large shallow pots, put them in growing boxes, or something else? The grower recommends planting them in a bark heavy growing medium, but I’m not sure this is the best strategy. Thanks in advance, Maryann ---
**Author:** ![MartyWeiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@MartyWeiser](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/MartyWeiser)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 4:41am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/maple-pre-bonsai-from-nursery-how-to-repot/11260/2 "2024-01-19T04:41:57Z")
I grow similar sized maples for further development in about 8" (20 cm) diameter plastic bulb pans using a mix of sieved bark and pumice with some added manure mix. The bulb pans are a bit larger volume than the 1 gallon pots, but about 1/2 the depth. ---
**Author:** ![Forestcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/76d3ee/32.png) [@Forestcat](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Forestcat)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 5:06am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/maple-pre-bonsai-from-nursery-how-to-repot/11260/3 "2024-01-19T05:06:21Z")
Thanks, Marty. I’m not sure if I can find bulb pans, but maybe there is something similar locally. ---
**Author:** ![MartyWeiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@MartyWeiser](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/MartyWeiser)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 3:47pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/maple-pre-bonsai-from-nursery-how-to-repot/11260/4 "2024-01-19T15:47:39Z")
Cutting down larger nursery pots and custom wooden boxes also work well. 1/6 nominal fence boards are a good source for boxes. ---
**Author:** ![NEBeech](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/nebeech/32/37888_2.png) [@NEBeech](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/NEBeech)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 11:40am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/maple-pre-bonsai-from-nursery-how-to-repot/11260/5 "2024-01-20T11:40:53Z")
I have no affiliation but this could be a low investment choice of you didn’t want to build boxes The HC Companies 12 Inch Round Plastic Classic Plant Saucer - Indoor Outdoor Plant Trays for Pots - 12.5"x12.5"x2.13" Slate Blue [Amazon.com](https://a.co/d/aTfIWCG) ---
**Author:** ![Tiibee](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/tiibee/32/33897_2.png) [@Tiibee](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Tiibee)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 2:40pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/maple-pre-bonsai-from-nursery-how-to-repot/11260/6 "2024-01-20T14:40:00Z")
For growing out maples I have been using coarse perlite and a good potting soil like Fox Farms and use these plastic pots similar to bulb pots which range from 8” to 14” with a height of 3-5”. They come in a ten pack > **[Panterra Bowls](https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/collections/pots-bags-planters/products/panterra-bowls)** > > The classic bowl design of this attractive container features a textured, clay colored finish, dual drain bottom and a wide base for increased stability, soil volume and water retention. Ideal for herb gardens, cactus arrangements, mixed annuals and... ---
**Author:** ![MartyWeiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@MartyWeiser](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/MartyWeiser)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/maple-pre-bonsai-from-nursery-how-to-repot/11260/7 "2024-01-20T15:48:35Z")
Both the bowls and the saucers look good. I use a series saucers like these to grow some of my maples once I have started to develop the spreading root system needed for a good nebari. The biggest issue is that you have to add drainage holes. I like to melt 1" (2.5 cm) diameter holes in the plastic saucers. You can drill them, but they tend to be a bit brittle and can form cracks starting at the hole. ---
**Author:** ![Forestcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/76d3ee/32.png) [@Forestcat](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Forestcat)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 4:48am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/maple-pre-bonsai-from-nursery-how-to-repot/11260/8 "2024-01-24T04:48:49Z")
Those look nice. I’m going to try to make some ceramic unglazed bowls that are that size and shape, but it’s nice to have the Panterra bowls as another option. ---
**Author:** ![Tiibee](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/tiibee/32/33897_2.png) [@Tiibee](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Tiibee)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 1:32pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/maple-pre-bonsai-from-nursery-how-to-repot/11260/9 "2024-01-24T13:32:20Z")
They work pretty well and don’t shatter like terra cotta pots when they blow off the benches! The plastic is durable. I believe I drilled a few extra holes in the bottom for tie downs? ![IMG_8276](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/bonsaimirai/original/3X/2/3/23295ee68678afef54d93884c023b0c0aa644992.jpeg)