Basic Bonsai Care

Taking care of a bonsai and keeping it healthy isn’t really that much different then taking care of any other potted plant. Here are a few suggestions to keep your bonsai healthy and thriving and some tips to help maintain its size.

Indoor and Outdoor Bonsai

All bonsai were originally grown outdoors. Some of these plants are from tropical or semi-tropical environments and need to be kept where the temperature is warmer. These would be considered indoor bonsai. Plants that are from cooler climates need a period of dormancy where they can rest. These are considered outdoor bonsai and should not be grown indoors.

Watering

Watering your bonsai is one of the most important things to learn. Water delivers the nutrients the bonsai needs to maintain its health.

Using cool water, water your bonsai gently from the top until you see water running out of the drainage holes. Wait for about ten minutes and water your plant again until you see clear water running from the drainage holes.

Do not water your plant again until the surface of the soil has started to dry out, and then repeat the above process.

Do not water a little every day keeping the soil wet all the time. This will cause root rot and the health of the bonsai plant will suffer.

Repotting

Occasionally bonsai plants need to be repotted with fresh soil. Young plants and plants with rapidly growing root systems are repotted once a year if necessary. If the soil is rising up or lowering in the pot or you see roots growing out of the drainage holes, remove the bonsai from the pot. If you see the pot is full of roots or circling the pot, it is time to repot.

First, remove the bonsai from the pot, comb out the roots and remove about one third of the new root growth using sharp cutters. Replace the bonsai in the same pot or a slightly larger pot and work in new soil around the roots. The soil you use in the repotting needs to be a soil that drains well and does not hold excessive amounts of water. Use a well draining bonsai mix from a bonsai supplier or from a nursery.

Feeding and Fertilizing

To keep up your bonsai looking and growing well, it will need to be fed. A fertilizer obtained from a nursery or garden supply store that is made for indoor plants can be used. Be sure and follow the directions on the fertilizer package. Using just a little more is not going to be better for the bonsai. Water your bonsai thoroughly before applying fertilizer.

Trimming and pruning

To keep the basic shape of your bonsai, you will need to trim off the excessive new growth. This can be done with a garden pruner or with sharp scissors.

Cut back the growing tips to keep your bonsai compact and to allow more light to reach the inner branches.