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Bonsai Care

Watering

It is best to water every day with enough water to thoroughly wet the mix (preferably in the mornings). The mix should not be allowed to dry out or be kept water logged. Most Bonsai are outdoor trees and don’t like being brought inside for more than a few days at a time. Protect bonsai from strong winds to avoid your trees drying out too quickly.

Feeding

Use a weak solution of a good liquid plant food or a slow release fertilizer once in spring and again in late summer. Feed acid loving plants like camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons and daphne with a specific acid-type plant food.

Pruning

This is a matter of constant trimming and occasional pruning to maintain your Bonsai’s style. Remember that the gaps are as important as the foliage placement.

Repotting

To keep your Bonsai healthy you will need to repot deciduous trees yearly and pines and conifers every 2 to 5 years, when you will trim off approximately 10% of the roots and replace the mix. This is usually done in spring as the buds begin to swell, but before they burst.

Wiring

Remove wire before it cuts into the trunks and branches re-apply if the shape has not “set” yet. Aluminum wire is preferable to copper both horticulturally and for ease of application.

Display

Your Bonsai will grow better up off the ground in good light, and will look at it’s best if displayed at slightly below eye level. Species such as maples prefer to be kept in semi-shade and out of strong winds to protect the delicate leaves. Pines and conifers prefer full sun.

Provide your bonsai with the correct light, air, food and water and you will be rewarded with many, many years of pleasure from your collection of miniature trees.

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