Page 18 - Tài liệu cây cảnh Bonsai4me Bonsai Basics

bonsai than outdoor bonsai. Outdoor species very rarely die immediately when

grown inside, they can survive for months. However they slowly lose their
health and vigour in the adverse conditions they have to cope with, and become
susceptible to bugs and disease until they finally start to show outward signs of
ill-health; yellowing leaves, lose of foliage and eventually death.
Unfortunately, unscrupulous dealers take advantage of this delayed response
to poor care and will display and sell outdoor trees as indoor bonsai. A tree
purchased from such a retailer may have been grown inside for weeks or months
and can be near death without any outward sign. The most common bonsai to
cause problems for beginners are Conifers and very often Junipers. There is NO
coniferous species that can tolerate indoor cultivation for more than 2 or 3 years.
It is worth referring to individual plant/tree Species Guides to establish whether
you have a tree that can be grown inside or not.

Juniperus chinensis 'San Jose' Juniper bonsai. Height 17"42cm, trunkbase
diameter 5"/12.5cm. Styled over 3 weeks during late 2011 by Harry Harrington
Watering

This seemingly easy technique is the second most common cause of Bonsai-
related problems. Underwatering or allowing the compost to dry out completely
will instantly kill or badly damage most trees; however 'overwatering' can just as
equally cause ill-health and eventual death from rootrot and disease.
'Overwatering' is something of a misnomer; if a bonsai is planted in well-
drained soil it is literally impossible to overwater. Rootrot is the result of a tree
growing in poor-draining soil that remains wet and importantly, is airless,
causing the roots to die.
The most important rule to remember is that trees should be CHECKED for
their water requirement daily but should only be watered as required. Never,
never, water to a routine, this can lead to continually sodden compost which
literally suffocates the roots. The surface of the compost MUST be starting to