What Is The Best Way To Care For A Bonsai Tree?

The most important thing to keep in mind when caring for a bonsai tree is watering. It is imperative that adequate water is provided to your bonsai tree. This is especially important if your bonsai tree is kept indoors most of the time. The amount of water you will need to give will depend on two main things, the type of soil and the species of bonsai tree.

The Japanese have a saying: water three times, each one for the pot, the soil and the tree. About 75% percent of water is taken in through the root system, but don't forget the leaves. Bonsai trees also acquire water through their stomata so make sure you wipe or wash away the dust and dirt regularly.

You should only use gentle water pressure when watering bonsai. Using excessive water pressure can wash away the topsoil and expose the tree roots. It is recommended that you use a misting hose or spray bottle that expels water in a fine mist. It is quite OK to use water from the tap, just ensure that it's not too hot or too cold.

Soil - Soil choice for your bonsai is critical for its health and long life. It really depends on the tree species of your bonsai, but generally, soil should be made of 30% humus and 70% grit for needled evergreen trees and 70% humus and 30% grit for deciduous trees. If you have a different bonsai species, make sure to look up which soil meets its special needs, since you might have to prepare a special soil mix yourself.

Pruning is the aspect of bonsai care that most beginners have trouble with. It's one of those skills that only really becomes fully formed with experience and knowledge. All aspects of a bonsai tree will need to be pruned at some stage - leaves, branches and roots.

Before attempting to prune the above ground aspects of your bonsai tree you should have a vivid image in your mind's eye of the tree shape you're looking to achieve. If you can do this and imagine a line around the tree in this shape you will be able to prune away everything that sticks out from this imaginary line.

Remember that this tree was never meant by nature to be this small. Because of this you are going to have to exert proper discipline on the bonsai to ensure that it gets trained into the shape you want and remains the size you want. If you don't put the requisite time and effort in your bonsai will start to become unruly in no time.

You're going to have to exert a lot of loving care if you're going to achieve your objective of a beautiful bonsai tree. It's going to involve a lot of work over a long period of time, but if your heart's in it, I think you'll find it well worthwhile.