Page 79 - Ebook bonsai for beginner

Watering

How often Bonsai need to be watered depends on a wide range of
factors, including species of tree, size and climate. Do not just water your
tree every day, instead, monitor it carefully and water it once the soil gets

slightly (but never completely) dry; it should be damp. When watering, do
it thoroughly, to make sure the entire rootmass is reached.

How often?

As mentioned above, how often Bonsai trees need to be watered
depends on too many factors to give exact guidelines. Instead, you need
to learn to observe your trees and know when they need to be watered.
The following general guidelines will help you to get Bonsai watering
right:

• Water your trees when the soil gets slightly dry - This means

you should not water your tree when the soil is still wet but
only when it feels slightly dry; use your fingers to check the

soil at around 0.4’’ (1cm) deep. Once you get more

experienced you will be able to see (instead of feel) when a
tree needs watering.

• Never water on a routine - Keep observing your trees
individually, instead of watering them on a daily routine, until

you know exactly what you are doing.

• Use the right soil-mixture - The soil-mixture greatly

influences how often trees need to be watered, for most
Bonsai trees a mixture of akadama, fine gravel and potting

compost mixed together in a ratio of ½ to ¼ to ¼ should be
fine. However, use a mixture that retains more water (by using

more potting compost) when you cannot water your trees that

regularly.

When?