When To Water, Fertalize And Re-pot Your Precious Bonzai

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Bonsai tree maintenance is not difficult, but it can be time consuming. If you have never owned a Bonsai tree before it will be helpful to establish a routine for caring for your special tree. The thought of watering a tree sounds simple, but it is one of the most common problems people have who are growing a Bonsai tree for the first time. With Bonsai tree maintenance it is very important not to over-water your tree, which results in drowning, root rot and the promotion of fungus growth.

The other extreme is under-watering your tree, which sends it into a drought. Bonsai tree expansion depends on a soil that will hold moisture but will also drain well. The root ball should never be allowed to completely dry out. On average, Bonsai tree expansion requires watering once a week until fall when the tree enters dormancy, and then should only be watered once every two weeks. Both indoor and outdoor Bonsai tree maintenance can benefit from a water gauge that will help you measure the water content in the soil so that you can be sure to water the tree whenever it needs it. Good Bonsai tree maintenance will also mean that the soil is fertilized on occasion to ensure that the tree is receiving all the nutrients and vitamins it needs, to help with Bonsai tree expansion.

There are a variety of fertilizers on the market to choose from, such as liquid, dry, organic and chemical fertilizers. Whichever one you choose in the end, it needs to be the right type of fertilizer that is right for your type of tree. Generally, Bonsai trees do not need to be fertilized more than once a month, with the exception of their dormant period where you will not need to fertilize it at all. Many people starting out prefer to use a liquid fertilizer because it can be easily mixed with water that makes it easier to apply. Some fertilizers only need to be used at half strength to maintain healthy Bonsai tree expansion. Whatever is used, it needs to be well distributed throughout the soil. Over time with Bonsai tree expansion the Bonsai tree will need to be re-potted. The time for this is when the dense root system has filled the pot. Re-potting is often done in the spring when the dormant period of the tree has ended, particularly with deciduous trees.

As the tree matures, re-potting becomes less frequent. It is important to remember that re-potting or transplanting a tree is not natural and can be quite stressful for your tree. When choosing a pot for proper Bonsai tree maintenance, the pot must not be too small or too large. A pot is usually measured according to the proportions of the tree, meaning that the pot should only be as wide by two thirds by two thirds of the height of the tree. Also, the pot should only be approximately half as deep as the tree’s height.