Three-prong bonsai root rake

What it is for

The three-prong rake is used at repotting time. It is drawn across the root ball to open it up and separate the roots, which after a few years in the same pot become matted and tangled, especially along the sides and at the bottom. The three curved prongs work deep without tearing: pull towards you with short strokes, following the direction of the roots, until the old soil is cleared away and the nebari is revealed.

With three prongs the coverage is greater than with two-prong models: it combs more surface with each pass and is handy on wide root balls and dense root systems.

Technical features

• 3-prong bonsai rake
• Curved steel prongs
• Shaped wooden handle with metal ferrule
• Made in Japan
• Professional quality

Who it is for

A tool for experienced bonsai growers. With roots it is easy to go wrong and the price is high: beginners risk tearing the fine roots instead of untangling them, which is why we suggest picking it up once you already have some confidence with repotting.

In practice it comes into play once a year, or every two or three years depending on the species, in spring: the plant is lifted out of the pot, the root ball is combed from the outside inwards, dead roots are removed and root pruning is carried out before potting up again. It is also useful for cleaning the base of the trunk and bringing out the surface root flare.

What is included

• 1 three-prong rake with wooden handle