Hi, I've never heard of a Ponderosa lemon (only a pine, or a ranch :-) but what you're asking is for an instant course on a big subject. Bonsai does require more than a couple of tips here, but it's not hard to get started, especially if you already have a healthy tree (plant) to begin with. The quick answers are yes, you have to cut the roots and (in time) use a small pot, but there's a lot to know about those steps, when and how, and which one, etc., not to mention things like lighting, humidity, etc., though you're obviously doing something right to have kept it going this long. It's also very important to know when and how to cut back, because doing it at the wrong time and indiscriminately with regard to what's cut aren't going to get you a nice tree, just a hacked up shrub. I suggest you try to find a bonsai club nearby, because it's the best way to start out... by actually seeing how things are done, finding out about watering (a very big issue in bonsai, which are not treated like house plants), soil mixes (very important too), and what makes a bonsai look good (or not) and why, plus how to do root work, etc. Until then, please don't just stuff it into a little pot as you'll likely lose it, and ditto for root chopping. You can go to www.bonsai4me.com for general info. on basics, www.bonsaitalk.com to ask and share info., and www.bonsaihunk.us/cultural.html for excellent advice on growing tropicals indoors. One thing I will tell you is that bonsai come in all sizes, and that fruit and flowers won't 'reduce' in size like leaves, so you may end up with a relatively larger tree (which is fine) if you want to keep a few lemons on it at any time, or else end up pinching off new fruit buds to keep the tree's energy into growing a bonsai and not to have lemons weighing down branches (or breaking them) all out of proportion to the rest of the tree. Come back and let us know how it goes!

they sell them for about a buck a piece on arbor day ... or at arbor day ... i dont know if i would invest a few hours of back breaking labor to move it ... but its a great one to TRY ... and if you kill it.. dont beat yourself up about it ... do it in early spring.. or fall ... warmish days... cool nights... dig a circle about 3 feet out from it... loosen the soil ... until the plant nearly gives way.. just lightly tugging on it.. if it has a tap root.. work the soil away.. and CUT IT.. its just another root ... then rip it out.. and keep the roots moist.. while you dig a hole the roots will fit in ... i will yell..ITS GROWING IN NATIVE SOIL ... so.. replant it in native soil ... and keep it PROPERLY WATERED for two years .. see link ... no amendments.. no fert.. no nothing but water ... as an inexperienced pine person.. i give you 90% odds on success ... its a freakin weed tree [thats why its where it is] ... you will have to work very hard.. to mess it all up ... and you only have two variables to perfect.. TIMING.. and WATER ... do not plant it within 30 feet of the house.. its what i call a telephone pole tree.. someday.. it will be a telephone pole ... above all.. report back ... good luck .. ken ps: it will die ..... if you do it in july or august.. period ... except if gal does it in the PNW .. lol .. bazinga ... lol Here is a link that might be useful: link

Well, I'm back. I took pictures of the plumeria forest. I there is no way to bring the plants back in a pickup truck. I took pictures, I had John who is 6ft 3 stand next to the plants, so K and Richard can see how tall they are. These plumeria trees are the same size as the ones they have in the botantical gardens in Corpus. I can't believe they are actually trees. The only problem I saw was the blooms were all at the top of the trees. K will go down weekend after next to look at them, he is looking for plumeria trees. I don't know if Richard will still want them after he seeds how big they are. I know they are too big for me. I bet they are close to 10 years old. Barbra

Nope ... because the hard pruning would wreck the tree's structure, and on top of the move to outdoors and transplanting the growth would have a severe setback. Or they would just die on you. If you want BIG TREES NOW after you build, spend the money in 24 or 36-inch boxed ones and have them transplanted in by professionals. Planting a nicely rooted 15-gallon jacaranda and taking good care of it after planting would work best for the least amount of money. Minimal transplant shock.