Watering is one of the most crucial parts of caring for a bonsai tree. Like any other living being, bonsai tree needs plenty of water to grow and stay alive. Different species of bonsai trees require different amounts of water and different watering schedules. Under – watering results in drying out the bonsai tree while over-watering has a negative effect on the health of the bonsai roots and thus on the entire plant. Finding the right balance between those two is a key to successful watering results. In general there are some good tips that can be used for watering the bonsai tree.
An old Japanese adage for watering bonsai is to water three times: once for the pot, once for the soil and once for the plant. This means bonsai should be watered thoroughly allowing water to soak sufficiently. Before you start watering, it is recommended to check the plant every day. A bamboo cooking skewer or any other stick can be used for this purpose. Leave the skewer in a soil and check it daily. If it is wet, the bonsai tree is fine. If the stick is dry, it is time for watering. To prevent over-watering it is recommended to let the top soil dry a little.
- Morning is the best time of a day for watering a bonsai tree. The temperature is colder and the plant is less vulnerable to slugs and fungus. Bonsai tree responds to changes in temperature by changing its living process. The plant might need to be watered more than once a day especially during the summer and hot days.
- Bonsai tree should be watered even during rains. Rain does not secure a sufficient amount of water to the plant.
- Apart from the soil, other parts of the bonsai tree should be moisturized as well. Leaves should be kept clean, so the dust doesn’t clog their breathing holes.
- If a hose is used to water outdoor bonsai trees, make sure to get a spray nozzle with mist setting, which is very useful for washing down the foliage. Too much water pressure can knock the soil out of the pots. If the hose has been lying in the sun for some time, let the warm water run out, wait for the cold water to come. Hot or even warm water can destroy the plant.
- If the flowering bonsai tree is not in bloom, it is allowed to gently water the plant. Blooms should not be watered as it can cause them to rot and die quickly.
- Always water from the top of the pot and do not keep the base of the pot in water for longer than 30 minutes so it can affect the air supply to the roots.
- Once a week, immerse the whole pot in water until the air bubble trail disappears. This procedure ensures top to bottom watering and it makes it easier to keep a bonsai tree watered for the rest of the week.
- Daily frequency of watering varies according to change in seasons. In Winter, less watering is required because soil is cooler and keeps moisture for a longer period of time. In Spring, water moderately. In the Summer, the soil is warmer and it is drying out faster. Bonsai tree should be watered more often. In the fall, mist the plant in the morning and in the evening to reduce the lost of moisture through transpiration.
All these watering bonsai tips are just basic recommendations to be followed in order to achieve proper watering which is essential to the health of the bonsai tree. But still keep in mind that there are many varieties of bonsai trees and each of them requires a little different care.
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