While reading about the Brush Cherry it mentioned feeding every two weeks during "peak growing season"

When is peak growing season?

The webpage where I found this information:

http://www.bonsaigardener.org/brush-cherry-bonsai.html

I'm a beginner to this stuff also, so take my word with a grain of salt... but I think I can address a couple of your questions. First off, if the pot has good drainage, I don't see the harm in continuing to use it. I'd assume peak growing season is spring to early summer, when it is throwing new shoots left and right. I believe regular potting soil is a bit too dense for bonsai... perhaps mixing in some clean sand or peat would help. And... to remove tight plants, I loosen the soil from the edges of the pot with a dinner knife (gently, careful of the roots) then pull the tree up from the base of its trunk. I don't know much about root rot yet (yikes!) ... Best of luck!

Tortoise

There really isn't a burning reason to re-pot or worry about root-rot at this point. Most tropicals will go through some 'shock' just being moved to a new environment so don't panic if it drops a few leaves.

What I would do is water it up hard a few times...from the top...and make sure it's draining well. Water running out the drain hole in the bottom. Root rot happens when the pot holds water and the roots sit in it for a time. If the pot is draining no problem.

What you have is a large cutting in a pot at this point. It would look better in a shallow rectangle or (better) oval pot which works with a sort of 'broom' style which yours will work as.

Thanks for all the tips! I have re-potted in a shallow rectangle pot which I really do like better. It was messy, but well worth it!

Head Cutter- I do like the broom style you mentioned and it is probably one of more simple styles to follow as a newbie, so thanks for the idea! :)

Pics of my newly potted tree:
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