Page 44 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

44 Bonsai basics

Seasonal tasks

These checklists are a guide to important jobs that need doing at

different times of year. Remember that no two years are ever the same:
in mild winters you may be able to get ahead on repotting deciduous
trees, but if conditions are harsh, it is better to wait.

Spring Summer
This is the busiest time of the bonsai year. As the Usually the hottest time of year and growth is in
days lengthen, fresh growth emerges and new buds full swing, so make sure that you have a good
swell, ready to burst. watering and feeding routine established.

∙Increase watering as trees emerge from dormancy. ∙Defoliate deciduous trees once their leaves have
∙Provide appropriate fertilizer where necessary. hardened off. There is time for a second flush of
∙Repot and prune deciduous trees before the buds leaves to mature before leaf drop in the fall.
break and start to grow. ∙Weed regularly: your bonsai are not the only
∙Remove winter protection as the days become plants with growth in full swing.
milder in mid-spring, but be alert for late frost ∙Look out for signs of pests or disease and take
and protect if necessary. action if necessary. Vigilance always pays off.
∙Be aware of potential wind damage to tender new ∙Continue pruning, wiring, watering, and feeding
shoots of deciduous trees, especially maples. as required throughout the summer months.
Desiccating winds can ruin a year of development. ∙Reduce or remove fertilizer when air temperatures
∙Reshape trees that are not repotted. Wiring can are over 90°F (32°C). Soil temperature is raised by
stress the tree, so don’t do too much at once. bacterial activity breaking down the fertilizer, so
∙Repot conifers by late spring. They take a long this will prevent it from becoming excessively
time to recover, and must be ready for winter. hot, and help your tree to conserve energy.

Root pruning is essential to maintain an efficient Prune long extensions on conifers to create compact
fibrous root system that results in a healthy tree. and attractive foliage pads.