Bonsai Tree Watering
Bonsai trees need water to survive. Regular tree in the natural environment needs a great deal of water that it can get by forming deep root system, which extends far into the ground. Bonsai plants need considerably less water proportional to its size. Even if your bonsai is growing outside you need to make sure it is getting enough water.
During winter outdoor bonsai usually gets enough water from the rain and snow. But check to see if soil is moist enough. Since bonsai are grown in shallow pots, which don’t hold much compost, it is important that you water your bonsai daily during spring and summer, since it is growing time. For outdoor bonsai the best time for watering is in the evening after sunset. If the summer is very hot it is ok to water you bonsai also during the day. Avoid getting water on the foliage since sun may cause water droplets to act as a lens and burn bonsai leaves.
Indoor bonsai need watering all year long but a little less during winter. Don’t let the soil to dry out completely. Some plants, that prefer moist conditions in the wild, can die after just one day without enough water. Also, overwatering can kill your bonsai. If soil becomes too dry, it is hard for the water to penetrate through. Soil needs to be moist but well drained. As each plant has different water requirements, it is impossible to give specific water amount.
The best water for bonsai is rainwater or well water. Tab water is not the best choice for bonsai. Alternatively use water softening tablets which will soften the water by reducing the pH. Many indoor bonsai, especially tropical ones, like to be mist because the air in the room can get very dry. Mist them with clean water using fine mist.
Always water bonsai with fine rose to prevent damaging the delicate leaves or washing away compost in newly potted or repotted containers. Water the soil till it reaches the rim of the container. Then wait and see if the water is coming out through the holes in the base of the container. Wait for 5 minutes and repeat the process again. The flowing water forces stale air out of the soil and draws in fresh oxygen as the water moves from the top to the bottom of the pot.
If your bonsai have accidentally dried out completely you can try saving it by placing container in a shallow basin of water. Leave it in for about half an hour. Remove the pot and stand it with one end raised to drain excess water. Next step is to cover your bonsai with see-through plastic without touching the branches of the tree. This will create a little bonsai greenhouse. It might take from few days to several months for the plant to recover.
If there is no one to care for your bonsai while you are on vacation consider finding a bonsai nursery which offers vacation care service. A lot of them have very reasonable prices. Unlike your friends and neighbors, bonsai experts know how to keep your bonsai alive and healthy while you are on vacation. Alternatively you can bury the pots in the moist, shady spot covering the surface of the soil by ½ inch of earth. This should keep the pots moist for a week or two.
Another way to prevent the soil from drying out completely, while you are away, is to use capillary matting. Capillary matting usually is used in greenhouses to water plants. Cut out a piece of matting to fit at the bottom of your pot. Also, cut out 1 inch wide strips and insert one through each drainage hole in the base of the container. The ends of the strips should be placed in the water so they will slowly absorb water and get it into the pot.
My favorite bonsai books:
Leave a Reply