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Proper Care of Outdoor Bonsai
Trees Bonsai is the reproduction of natural tree forms in miniature. This art form has its origin in Japan and China where it has been practiced for centuries. Bonsai are grown in pots and are totally dependent on you for their care. With proper care, your bonsai will remain healthy, beautiful and miniature for many years to come. Since your bonsai is a living miniature tree, it will increase in beauty as it matures through the years. The instructions below are just the basics and, therefore, I recommend that you purchase one of the many fine books available on the subject. Placement Watering Fertilizing Trimming and Pinching Repotting Insects and Disease Content used by permission from Bonsai Boy.
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your
bonsai must be maintained in a cool/cold environment during the winter
season. As a guide, around Thanksgiving Day it is time to prepare your
bonsai for its winter dormancy period which should last approximately three
(3) months. This can be accomplished in several ways. One method is to bury
your tree in the ground (preferably without the pot) up to the rim of the
container and then mulch up to the first branch. It is best to choose a
location that is protected from wind and sun, but not rain or snow. A second
method which is also common is to place your bonsai tree(s) in an unheated garage
or shed. During this time, your tree does not require light because it is in
a dormant state; however, it will require watering approximately every two
weeks. Throughout the spring, summer and fall your bonsai should be placed
outside, such as on a patio, balcony, terrace, or in a garden. Once outside,
your bonsai should be positioned where it will receive sufficient sun –
morning sun and afternoon shade is best. A bonsai can be viewed best when it
is placed approximately three to four feet high (eye level), such as on a
table, wall or bench. A bonsai can and should be brought into the house on
special occasions and displayed in a prominent place. Your bonsai should not
remain inside for more than a few days at a time, as the atmosphere is
detrimental to the health of your tree.
beautiful. Since your bonsai is growing in such a small amount of soil it is
necessary to replenish the soil's supply of nutrients periodically. Any
general-purpose liquid fertilizer will do fine and is available at most
garden centers. We suggest that fertilizers be used at half their
recommended strength. Fertilizer should be applied at least once a month
except during the winter. Your bonsai will also respond well to foliar
feeding, with a water-soluble fertilizer applied every other month as a
spray.
root system. As a rule,
most deciduous trees require repotting every two or three years, while
evergreens only need to be repotted every four or five years. Since trees
grow at different rates, this schedule will not always hold true, therefore,
you should examine your tree's root system each year to determine if it has
become pot-bound. In most cases, the potting process is easy and safe if
performed properly and at the right time of the year. Repotting should be
done in mid-summer. The tree, along with all of its soil, should be removed
from the pot. The outer and bottom most fourth of the tree's root mass
should be removed. This is done by raking the soil away then pruning back
the roots. In most cases it is not good to prune back more than one fourth
of the tree's root mass. After this, the tree can be placed back in its
original pot or into another. The pot should have screen placed over the
drainage holes. Then, a thin layer of small gravel is placed in the bottom
of the pot for drainage purposes. On top of this gravel is placed the new
fresh soil. Place a layer of well-draining soil which is sufficient enough
to elevate the tree to its previous height in the pot. After placing the
tree back in the pot, the area left vacant by the pruned root mass should be
filled in with fresh soil. This fresh soil should be worked in around and
under the root mass in such a manner as to avoid leaving any air pockets.
After repotting, your bonsai should be thoroughly water. This can be
achieved by submerging the entire pot in a tub of water. Moss or other
ground covers can be used to cover the surface of the pot to help prevent
soil erosion when watering.
