Hi! I'm new to the world of bonsai, having been given a bonsai tree for christmas! I am totally in love with it, and could see it becoming a real passion! The bonsai tree I was given (i'm assured it came from a reputable location and is not a mallsai) has a vertical piece of rock cemented to the pot, under which the soil sits. I want to try and repot my tree, but the roots are stuck under the cemented piece, so it won't pull out of the pot.

1. how do i go about removing the cemented section, so I can repot?

2. Given that the tree is not in good health (a combination of inexperience, poor light, letting it dry out, very hard water, and i'm sure other things, but i am learning!) and the fact that I am going on a 2 month holiday soon (it was not a good time to be gifted a tree!), would I be better off just buying a new tree and starting again, given that I now know a lot more about bonsai care than when I started?

Help would be much appreciated for this bonsai newbie!

Thanks!!