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Begginer here, I bought a Japanese maple and I heavily pruned the bonsai a few days ago (In mid summer for me, i live in nsw, Australia). My Japanese maple has roots coming out of the drainage holes and the top of the substrate, it's really bad. The roots are sticking out of the drainage holes and soil about 1-5cm, should I risk repotting the bonsai, should I leave the bonsai or is there anything else I can do instead? Thanks in advance!

If the plant is in leaf no. You will have to leave it until spring. As long as the soil is draining it will be fine. If it not draining well then use a metal rod thin one to make small holes in the soil this will help with drainage, the roots out of the drainage hole is not a problem unless they are blocking the hole, if they are then cut them off

Roots growing out of the pot is not a reason for repotting. Is the soil draining well?

No, the soil is not draining well, the soil takes longer to dry out compared to my other bonsais. It is also developing root rot, could this be due to lack of drainage? Thankyou for your help!

If you bought a tree with bad drainage and root rot a few days ago I would recomend return the tree to the seller and claim refund.

Luke467 wrote:

It is also developing root rot, could this be due to lack of drainage?

How do you notice that, have you examined the root ball ??

I saw that the roots coming out of the drainage holes are brown, thanks!

Roots are naturally brown.

In the world of plants, roots coming out of the bottom of the pot are a sign of growth, so never a bad sign.

Roots out of the top of the substrate is a design feature in bonsai. It makes the tree look older and more stable. The term is nebari.