I'm just getting started in bonsai and trying to familiarize myself to all the techniques. I'm still new so bear with me if I'm asking obvious questions.

I just bought dwarf calamondin orange, grape, and pomegranate trees. I'm still trying to get proper sized pots and soil together before doing anything to them.

I'm planing on repotting them and doing a root pruning, probably. I'm wondering if regular pruning can be done at the same time, (by the same time, I mean just before or just after rootpruning), or is that too stressful for the trees?

Thanks, any help would be appreciated.

gday babybird
a tree suffers stress when to much is done to it all at once,
so what i would suggest is number 1 root prune let it sit when repotted
so it can recover number 2 if tree is decidious leave it till winter and the leaves will fall if not pick the leaves off then leave for a little while
due to stress and finally when it has recovered then do your wiring as it would be a good idea to leave between jobs it save the tree stressing
cheers dean

So you're saying wait 'til approximately next winter to prune, and begin wiring next spring-ish?

Can any "very light" pruning be done now to begin cuttings for rooting, or should I just trim the roots/repot and leave it alone 'til winter to be safe?

what country you live in that might help me to give you a more precise answer to this post
cheers dean

US. Southern California, to be more specific.

howdy,
In my opinion you have to make a decision on which action is more prudent.If you want to do pruning and wiring to get the trees more shaped do that first before repotting.this will at least get you some work time and experiance with your trees.i usually do my wireing in spring.if yo do root work you will just be staring at them all year and in my experiance that is a hard thing to do...
best of luck and keep us all posted

Hi Babybirdsfunk; any update?

after some research, i have found that some pruning should be done just before/during root pruning. i have been told it is to keep the tree in balance, and to not have the newly cut roots overworking to supply the full foliage growth.

Very well, that makes perfect sense indeed. I usually combine root pruning (while repotting) and at least a basic grooming as well. Got a picture of the tree btw? Good luck!

since i began the post, i have acquired many trees to work on. i dont remember which tree i was repotting at the time, but i do have some progressive photos i could post of the various trees. should i put them here, or in another forum section?