As many of you already know there are problems at the moment with journals. Not only that, but the "add discussion" button seems to have gone AWOL. So until BonsaiBabe can start up a journal she will use this discussion for tips on caring for Bonsai.
For those of you not yet acquainted with the art of Bonsai - this is your chance to give it a go.
There is no magic, just love and care for your tree, and a bit of work too!
The most enquiries i get are about the feeding and watering of bonsai. In this journal I hope to help all of those people and hopefully many more. If I have not included something you need to know please ask and I will do my best to answer your query.
Newcomers to bonsai find it easier to water their tree by immersing the pot in a bowl of water, waiting until the bubbles stop, leaving to drain, then replacing the tree in its' original position. If you have a home with central heating, this method will probably be ok to use every 2nd or 3rd day, making sure that the compost is moist every day. The main problem with this method, is that the trees from the far east are usually grown in clay based soil; if the soil contains a lot of clay it will start to disintegrate, eventually forming a solid mass which will cause the roots to become water logged and then they will rot!
The best way to water is to use a fine rose in your watering can, then water the tree from above. The water will run off the top of compacted soil, so watering may need to be done a few times. Always check the pot is heavier after watering than it was before you started, if it isn't then the water has not penetrated the soil. All trees should be potted on into a coarse fine draining soil, allowing the roots to 'breathe'. I will write about different soils at a later date. Remember, your tree needs to be moist, not dried out nor swimming in water. Check on it each morning and evening and you will soon get to know the requirements of your tree.
With regard to feeding:- Whatever proprietary brand of feed you use there will be a listing on the pack. The initials N(nitrogen) P(phosphorous) K(potassium) followed by 3 numbers. The higher the number, the stronger the concentration of the nutrient.
Nitrogen is for the production of foliage and shoot development - too much will cause large leaves and shoots which are easy to snap! None at all and the plant will die.
Phosphorous is for the development of roots and helps the resistance of the plant to stress and disease.
Potassium is for the development of flowers and fruit, it also hardens late growth in preparation for winter.
Trace elements:- boron,copper,iron,manganese,zinc,magnesium,molybdenum,calcium,sulphur.
These are all necessary for the well being of the tree and are included in the feed you use.
It is important to follow the instructions on the pack, it is better to use less feed than too much.
Slow release fertiliser should be applied twice during the growing season. In autumn, a feed of low or zero nitrogen content will help to harden off the current years growth. A tomato feeed is good to use at this time.
I hope this is of use. Let me know what you think.
Thank you for all the info. While I haven't owned one myself, I do admire the bonsai plants any time...
Hi Maureen,
You should consider owning one, they are wonderful plants. If you can keep a pot plant you can keep a bonsai. It is difficult to keep the supermarket bought plants though. Lots of work are usually needed on those.
Hi I bought a chinese elm bonsai from a garden centre a few weeks ago. I had always wanted one but never got around to it. I did once try to grow seeds for bonsai - I think I had to keep them in the fridge for a couple of months or so. Thanks for all the info I feel a bit more confident now about it lasting for a while. I am hoping it will be able to stand outside in the summer months [long time to go yet].it does seem to dry out quickly and I have been watering and spraying with tap water, not sure if this is ok though, maybe I should let the water come to room temperature first?
Hi everone i am sorry to say my bonsai is half - no make that three quarters dead, not sure what I did wrong there are still a few leaves on it - but not many, I don't think I will get another, just hoping if spring eventually comes it will pick up, it is soooooooo cold here,
There isn't a gardener on the planet that hasn't killed a plant every so often.. I have no idea what may have gone wrong pejay, but at least you gave it a try
We are in for 6 weeks more winter, according to the Groundhog that is!
hi - maybe just maybe it will pick up in spring, i once gave a cactus plant an aspirin tablet, - thought if it works for me it should work for a plant - but it died, oh well never mind, it still has some leaves, but definately not looking too healthy at the moment
[Last Editor: pejay, Feb 3, 2008 12:56 pm. Total Edits: 2]
