Category Archives: Featured Bonsai Articles

Bonsai Pictures – Soil and Watering Bonsai trees

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This article from Bonsai Pictures is all about how to water your Bonsai tree and what soil to use
The Substrate
The substrate used for growing bonsai is generally composed of:

25% sand
25% of small rocks
25% black earth
25% clay.

Personally, I buy my substrate for bonsai. If you want to make your own substrate, just look in the books on bonsai, each author has his own recipe!

Tips
It is good to add Mycorise to the substrate for bonsai. What’s Mycorise?

The Mycorise (Mysillium mushroom) promotes the uptake of fertilizer per tree. It is generally bought in the form of granules. It can be found in stores specializing in horticulture.
Check expiry date before buying.

Watering
Excessive watering of a bonsai can kill as much as insufficient watering!

There are two main sources: tap water and rainwater.

Tap water
If you use tap water, it must have rested at least 24 hours prior to watering. This time allows the evaporation of chlorine and fluorine present in water. It can also adjust the temperature of water at room temperature.

Rainwater
This is the ideal source. It does not contain chlorine or fluorine. Water should be at room temperature when spraying to avoid a shock.

How often to water
It depends on the ambient temperature, the humidity and the requirements of the tree.
The humidity of the substrate should be checked daily.

Some species require to be moist at all times, while others prefer the substrate to dry between waterings.

Warning:
We must never let the substrate dry completely.

Look in a specialist book on bonsai to find out what is best for each species. During the period of growth, a tree needs a larger quantity of water. As opposed to the rest period, when the tree is in less demand.

It is best to irrigate early in the morning. You can also do it in the evening. You should never water a bonsai in full sun, that may burn the foliage.

It is also suggested to spray the leaves between waterings, especially in winter. Indeed, inside the houses, the moisture can be very low. Heat and low humidity are perfect for the proliferation of insects. That is why it is good to spray the leaves morning and evening in winter.

How to water

Submerge the pot into water or just with a watering can or hose. Ensure that the substrate is fully saturated with water at each watering. When watering is completed, it is advisable to tilt the pot slightly to get rid of the water remaining on the surface. The substrate should be moist but not soaked. I heard that 80% of the success of a bonsai is connected to the watering. So extreme care should not be taken.

Pruning your bonsai.

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The roots

This short article from Bonsai pictures is all about how to cut and prune your roots and branches effectivly.


The function of the roots are to retain the Bonsai tree in the substrate, store nutrients during the rest period and to absorb water and nutrients during the growing season. After 2-3 years in the same pot, the roots of a bonsai typically fill the pot. If left like that, it will choke with its roots and therefore die.

We must therefore do what is known as re-potting. The re-potting is usually done before the emergence of new shoots in the spring up to 2-3 years of age. Young bonsai can be re-potted each year.

Tips


Before re-potting your bonsai, leave the substrate to dry thoroughly. You should never water a tree before re-potting. A dry substrate can be removed more easily from the roots than a moist substrate.

Keep the pot in the shade and do it on a day that is not too hot.
Prepare the pot and the substrate prior to the re-potting.

Once the substrate is removed, spray a little water on the roots.

As a guide you should usually cut 1 / 3 of the total length of roots.

Make a small mound of substrate at the position where the tree will be placed.
You must ensure that no air pockets are under the roots.

With a stick, make a circular motion to fill any air pockets with the substrate.

Water the bonsai by submerging the pot in water once the potting is completed.
Place the bonsai in the shade for a month.
Wait a month before fertilizing.
Spray the leaves daily.

The branches


The size of the branches allow you to form the basic shape of your bonsai.
The time for pruning depends on the species of tree you have.

Generally, the training/pruning of the branches can be done during March / April and new shoots in May / June It is important to use the proper sharp tools.

If you cut a branch on parallel leaf species, the result will be two new shoots.

Bonsai pictures - pruning bonsai

Bonsai pictures - pruning bonsai

If you cut a branch on alternate-leaved species, the new growth takes takes the direction of the last remaining bud

Bonsai Pictures - Pruning bonsai

Bonsai Pictures - Pruning bonsai

Bonsai pictures – Fertilizing bonsai

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Fertilising Bonsai Trees
There are two types of fertilizer, organic and chemical.
Personally, I use only chemical fertilizers, I find it is easier to use (it is dissolved in water).
The fertilizer is composed of these three elements.
N: Nitrogen (for new growth)
P: Phosphorus (for flowering)
K: Potassium (Hardens branches, around August)
Chemical Fertilizers: Examples of concentration available
15-30-15: For using at the start of the growing season for trees to flower.
20-20-20: For using at the beginning and during the growth season for trees.
30-10-10: For use at the start and during the growing season for trees with needles.
10-10-30: For use at the end of the autumn period. Why? Brand new shoots will harden off to face the winter.
Amount of fertilizer
Due to the small size of bonsai Always put half the dose suggested on the packet.
When to fertilize
It really Depends if the tree is growing or not. It is also dependant on the age of the tree. A juvenile  needs a larger quantity of fertilizer than an older bonsai .
Is my tree growing?
If you notice fresh shoots, then the tree is in a period of growth. if not, then it is in a period of rest.
During the growth periodthe tree is usually given fertilizer every couple of weeks. While in the rest period it should be fed only once a month if the tree is indoors. If the tree is kept outside or in a unheated greenhouse in winter, it is not fed at all.
How to fertilize
It is possible to fertilise by applying straight to the soil or by applying directly to the leaves.
Never feed a bonsai if the soil is dry.
It is recommended to first water with pure water. After 10-15 minutes, you may water again with fertilizer diluted in water.
You can put the fertilizer in a spray bottle because the foliage can absorb the fertilizer, but bear in mind that the fertiliser will evaporate quicker. It is crucial to regularly change the method of fertilization, or the roots may become weakened if we just spray the leaves all the time.
There are two different types of fertilizer available, organic and chemical.
I use only chemical fertilizers,  I find it is much easier to use (Ca is dissolved in water).
The fertilizer is always made up of these three elements.
N: Nitrogen (helps new growth)
P: Phosphorus (helps flowering)
K: Potassium (helps to harden branches, August)
Chemical Fertilizers: Examples of  the concentration available in premix solutions.
15-30-15: For use at the start of the growing season for trees to flower.
20-20-20: For use at the start and during the growing season for trees.
30-10-10: For use at the start and during the growing season for trees with needles.
10-10-30: For use at the end of the autumn period. Why? New shoots will harden to face the winter.
Quantity of fertilizer
Always put half the dose suggested on the container.
When to fertilize
Depends if the tree is in a period of growth or not. It also depends on the age of the tree. A young bonsai needs a larger quantity of fertilizer than an older bonsai .
How do I know if my tree is growing?
If you see new shoots, the tree is in a period of growth. Otherwise, it is in a period of rest.
During the growth period is usually given fertilizer every two weeks. During the rest period this is reduced to once a month if the tree is indoors. If the tree is outdoors or in a cold greenhouse in winter, it is given no fertilizer at all.
How to fertilize
It is possible to fertilise by applying directly to the soil or by applying to foliage.
Never fertilize a bonsai if the substrate is dry.
It is first suggested watering with pure water. After 10-15 minutes, you can sprinkle again with fertilizer diluted in water.
You can put the fertilizer in a spray bottle because the leaves can also absorb the fertilizer, but bear in mind that the effect is more rapid absorption. It is very important to alternate the method of fertilization, or the roots may be weakened if we use the spray method all the time.