Aftercare is one of the most important techniques in bonsai. Once you realize the MOST important technique in bonsai is keeping the trees alive, the importance of aftercare becomes obvious.

Repotting and styling are two of the most stressful kinds of bonsai work. Giving the tree the most favorable conditions from which to recover just makes sense. When I repot or heavily style a tree, it goes into my poly house which is protected from wind and sun; all extremes that might add stress to an already stressed organism. I leave them in these surrounding for 10 to 14 days (sometimes also misting or adding bottom heat depending on species and circumstances). After returning them to their normal growing location, I monitor them for signs of stress. If I see any, then its back to the poly house for another 10 to 14 days.

Aftercare; your trees will thank you.

Large Rocky Mountain Juniper pushing new growth just a week after its first repotting from post-collection.

a closer shot of the large Rocky Mountain Juniper pushing new growth just a week after its first repotting from post-collection.

This is a large field-grown Hinoki cypress after having been heavily pruned and potted for the first time. Aftercare is clearly working for this tree.