Bonsai Care - How to Water | Gardening

By PaulMarch
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Don't you water a bonsai like any other plant? The answer is absolutely not. Bonsai are very particular and specific and how to treat them will depends on lots of factors including enviornment and climate.

Bonsai use water at different rates, which means that because there are many different types of bonsai they will all use water at different times and amounts during their growing cycle. All bonsai are not the same. Different species of bonsai do not have set cycles and should be tended to when necessary.

Watering - it's important that the compost never dries out. You can quickly kill a bonsai this way. You will of course be aware that when in the ground, plants and trees adapt to the environment - this isn't possible for a bonsai as due to the smallness of scale, everything you do - or not has a big effect on it. The masters say that to fully master the correct watering of a bonsai it takes 3 years.

Under-watering can be much more harmful for a bonsai than over-watering. Make sure the compost is not dried out, its very important to take a careful note of its condition.

A bonsai needs oxygen which it takes in through the roots in order to breathe - this happens when water flows over the roots - it takes away all the by products and provides fresh oxygen which gives the plant nourishment. You will suffocate the plant if you give too much water as this is when the fine root hairs cannot breathe.

Is there a way you can tell if you have over-watered? Yes if you are re-potting, over-watering will be shown by the fine roots hairs which will have turned black and gone rotten.

There are other signs to look for in order to tell if you are watering incorrectly - loss of vigor, looking tired and no longer vibrant and healthy - also when the foliage turns yellow - or the smaller branches shrink and die away.

How can you alter this? You can cut the black roots away, this will help. When roots are rotten they promote bacteria growth that can kill plants, so if you cut the old and rotten roots away, this will help the plant to recover more quickly. Be careful when you are cutting not to damage the healthy roots as this will slow down the recovery process. Learn to alter your watering habits!

Do you know how often you water? There should never be a set routine. As temperatures and the environment change on a daily basis you need to adapt to your bonsai needs. Because the root system is very small it can dry out quickly and a careful watch needs to be keep on each plant. Compost which is wet on the top could well be dry below the surface. Each bonsai plant uses water differently and should be checked on several times a day.

A tip to help you find out what is going on beneath the surface is to put a wooden toothpick into the soil and leave it there. When you check next the toothpick will help you to see if the compost below the surface has dried out, by looking at the lack of dampness and this will help you assess how much water you need to use.

You need to be able to adapt your routine to the needs of your plant and never underestimate how important watering is.

About the Author

Do you know the right way to care for your bonsai? Read more great articles by Paul March about techniques to help improve your bonsai. More articles on bonsai care and information on reviving bonsai trees to help you enjoy your bonsai.

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