Just got my first juniper plant (came in a “kit”) and it looks like it’s potted in regular potting soil in a plastic nursery pot. I read some about the basics of repotting and potting medium but haven’t found anything that covers my situation. I have a few questions:

Do I need to repot it right away in a bonsai pot with better draining medium or should it stay how it is until
It gets bigger?

If I should repot it, do I remove all of the poor quality soil from the roots?

Do I need to slowly transition it to full sunlight since it’s been in a box in a store?

Last, would this plant be considered pre-bonsai?

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide. Excited to learn all I can about this new adventure

Superdan326 wrote: - Do I need to repot it right away in a bonsai pot with better draining medium or should it stay how it is until
It gets bigger?

Well, it's a very young plant. I would leave it in the nursery soil and would learn how to water (keep the soil moist, nor wet, not dry).

Superdan326 wrote: - If I should repot it, do I remove all of the poor quality soil from the roots?

You only repot junipers by the end of winter/beginning of spring. IF they are healthy. And I would keep some "old" soil in this first repotting.

Superdan326 wrote: - Do I need to slowly transition it to full sunlight since it’s been in a box in a store?

Yes.

Superdan326 wrote: - Last, would this plant be considered pre-bonsai?

No, not yet. It's a sapling. It needs many years in training to be a bonsai. Or even a pre-bonsai.

I see potential in this little buddy. Its all up to you. Just know, real bonsai never comes as kit box. Good luck.

spacewood wrote: I see potential in this little buddy. Its all up to you

Of course you do. In fact, a seedling would have the most potential. Actually, that's all it has - potential. An established tree does not have much potential left...

Auk wrote:

spacewood wrote: I see potential in this little buddy. Its all up to you

Of course you do. In fact, a seedling would have the most potential. Actually, that's all it has - potential. An established tree does not have much potential left...

Isnt that what we do here? Turning potential into results. No one is interested in ready tree, unless its yours : )

According to bonsai empire front page bonsai do come in purchasable kit . Don’t get discouraged and keep at . Don’t make the mistake of over loving your tree . When you get the itch to keep pruning or over water it . It’s time to get another plant and keep you occupied otherwise you will kill “ overlove your plant”