Page 42 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

42 Bonsai basics

Basic care

Your bonsai is absolutely reliant on you for regular care,

and the two most important aspects are watering and
feeding. Both can be difficult to get right: provide too
much or too little, and the results can be fatal. Learn

to read your trees, consider the climatic conditions,
and respond to their needs. Careful use of
fertilizer helps
to thicken trunks.
How much water?
Watering is fundamental—but it is also the hardest retention as necessary.
technique to master. Even experienced enthusiasts ∙Compaction of soil. As roots
can slow down the development of their trees if they develop and the soil structure breaks down, the
adhere to a routine instead of reacting on a daily surface becomes very hard and less permeable
basis to the both the tree and its growing conditions. to water. This reduces absorption and can cause
the soil to become dry.
∙Every species has different requirements—and ∙Size of the pot and number and size of drainage
every tree within that species has individual needs, holes. A pot that is too large will rarely dry out,
depending on its stage of development, and how leading to an imbalance of water and oxygen.
frequently it has been transplanted. A small pot holds very little water, and the risk
∙Achieving the correct balance of water and oxygen in of damage is much greater.
the soil is fundamental for success with every tree.
∙Changing conditions throughout the year will affect The secret of success is experience, observation, and
these requirements. understanding. Look at your trees on a daily basis,
∙Trees use and lose water in various ways, but about think carefully about the conditions inside the pot
90 percent of it is used to regulate the temperature. and how the climate will affect it, and understand
The tree “sweats” by transpiring water through the what the tree requires at that time of year.
foliage: the warmer it is, the more water is required.
This is complicated by the effects of drying winds All about fertilizer
that carry moisture away from the soil surface as Fertilizer consists of three main elements and several
well as the foliage. In both scenarios the minor but important nutrients. It has an N:P:K ratio
tree requires more water to replace that which signifies the amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus,
which is lost. and Potassium it contains.

You also need to consider the amount of ∙Nitrogen is used for vegetative or green growth.
water that can be held in the pot, which ∙Phosphorus is used for roots and flowers.
depends upon a number of factors: ∙Potassium is for health, drought resistance, and fruit.

∙ Soil components and particle size. The micronutrients required for healthy growth can
Small particles hold more moisture be found in organic fertilizers or liquids such as
than large ones. The soil mix can be kelp extract. Avoid inorganic fertilizers: these
adjusted to increase or decrease water synthetic mixes are easily overused and may damage