This post is inspired by Bao who emailed Shibui Bonsai and asked for details of how to repot group style bonsai. Thanks for the suggestion Bao – here are the photos.This forest has been together for a few years and the roots are well entwined. It would be difficult to separate individual trees so the whole group is repotted as if it is a single tree. If your forest is younger it may break into sections. Just trim each section and rearrange them when you repot.

trident group

remove the group from the pot

trim around the edges with root shears

trim base of root ball with shears

rake out remaining rootball

trim exposed roots short

You’ll probably follow the outline of the tree trunks

place mesh over drain holes

add a thin layer of potting mix

fill around roots with more potting mix

Here I’ve used fine sand to create a path through the forest. Moss will finish the setting later