Bonsai Tree Care
Bonsai trees use a “free draining” type of soil. Bonsai roots can’t survive with too much setting water. Bonsai are grown with a lot less soil than other plants and so they require more watering. Regular plants have soil that holds the moisture of water so that the plant can use it as it needs it, the Bonsai don’t have that luxury. The trees location, the temperature of the air that is within its environment and lighting all determine how much your Bonsai will need watering. There are several ways to tell if your Bonsai needs water. You can pick the plant up, the lighter it is the more of a chance it needs water. You can put a finger just below the surface of your soil, however the problem with using this method is that there isn’t a lot of soil, chances are that when using this method it may seem like your plant always needs water. Finally, watch your leaves. Bonsai trees get really dry leaves when they need water. A good example of this is a jade tree. The normally rounded leaves will look withered and dry. You can buy a moisture meter however it really is an expense you could do without.
And speaking of watering, Bonsai do best when they are exposed to humidity. Most trees thrive better when they are in a humid environment, however if you live in an area that is not naturally humid this can be an issue when trying to grow a bonsai. There is something you can do though.
Many people mist their Bonsai plants and this will work for a small period of time however it starts to “burn” the leaves. “Burning occurs when leaves are wet in small amounts and then dried quickly. What ends up happening is the creation of brown spots.
What most experts recommend is a humidity tray. In humidity trays, when the water evaporates from the tray a humid environment is created all of the time thus creating a habitat more conducive to what the tree is used to. This makes it easier to water the bonsai and to determine when it needs water. When the water is gone simply refill the tray. It is suggested that when using this method some pebbles should be added to the bottom of the tray so the roots don’t sit in the water.
These are just a few ways to take care of your Bonsai. For the best advice on how to get the most out of the Bonsai experience purchase a book on caring for Bonsai plants.
