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This brief explanation of basic care does not cover training. Training deals with the art of bonsai and should be thoroughly understood before undertaking. However, most of the true bonsai trees you find have already been through their training period, thus requiring only periodic trimming and pinching to remain miniature.
When using indoor bonsai, after the nightly lows do not dip below 40 degrees, your outdoor bonsai should be placed outside, such as on a patio, balcony, terrace or in a garden. Once outside, your indoor bonsai should be positioned where it will receive sufficient morning sun and afternoon shade (is ideal). A bonsai can be viewed best when it is placed approximately three to four feet high (eye level), such as on a table, wall or bench. And your bonsai that can be left outside during the winter can be moved out from under a covered area and out into the garden as well in part sun to part shade.
Once nightly lows begin approaching the 40 degree mark, it is time to bring your indoor bonsai inside and move your outdoor bonsai under cover (allowing it to still receive adequate sunlight). For your indoor bonsai this should be done gradually over a period of several weeks. Bring it in for a few hours the first time, slowly increasing the time it spends indoors until it becomes acclimated to its new environment. The ideal indoor location is on a window sill facing south. An east or west exposure is second best. A northern exposure will work, but will necessitate the use of “grow lights” to provide sufficient light to keep your bonsai healthy. Four to six hours of sunlight per day should suffice. If you can provide more light indoors this would work as well.
The watering of your bonsai must never be neglected. Apply water when the soil appears dry; never allow the soil to become completely dry. If your bonsai is receiving full sun, it may be necessary to water once a day. This schedule may vary with the pot size, type of soil and type of bonsai tree you own. Evaluate each tree’s water requirements and adjust your watering schedule to accommodate it. It is a good idea to use a moisture meter until you get to know the requirements of your bonsai tree. Watering should be done with a watering can or hose attachment which should dispense the water in a soft enough manner as not to disturb the soil. Water should be applied until it begins running out of the holes in the bottom of your pot. A good rain is usually a sufficient watering (but always double check to make sure).
During the cold months, when your bonsai is inside, we recommend placing it in a shallow tray filled with a layer of gravel with water added. This provides extra moisture around the tree as the water evaporates and reduces the amount of moisture lost to modern heating systems. DO NOT PLACE YOUR INDOOR BONSAI NEAR AIR VENTS.
Fertilizing is also necessary if your bonsai is to remain healthy and beautiful. Since your bonsai is growing in such a small amount of soil it is necessary to replenish the soil’s supply of nutrients periodically. Any general-purpose liquid fertilizer will do fine and is available at most garden centers. We suggest that fertilizers be used at half their recommended strength. Fertilizer should be applied at least once a month except during winter. Your bonsai will also respond well to foliar feeding, with a water-soluble fertilizer applied every other month through a spray bottle clean of any harsh chemicals.
Trimming and pinching keeps your tree miniature. Pinch and trim back the new growth to the farthest safe point. Never should all of the new growth be removed; a little should be left to sustain the health of the tree. Tropical and sub-tropical trees used for bonsai will require periodic pinching and trimming throughout the year. Since different trees grow at different rates, it is necessary to evaluate each tree’s rate of growth and adjust your trimming and pinching to accommodate it. But deciduous trees need to be specially thought out as to what branches and new growth need to be pinched. Remember that some flowering bonsai bloom on last year and the present year’s new growth.
Repotting must be performed periodically on all bonsai when their root system has filled the pot. The reasons for repotting are to supply your tree with fresh soil and to encourage a more compact root system. As a rule, most deciduous trees require repotting every two or three years, while evergreens only need to be repotted every four or five years. Since trees grow at different rates, this schedule will not always hold true, therefore, you should examine your tree’s root system each year to determine if it has become pot-bound. The best time of year for outdoor bonsai is in early spring before the buds open.
In most cases, the potting process is easy and safe if performed properly and at the right time of the year. Repotting should be done in mid-summer on indoor specimen. The tree, along with all of it’s soil, should be removed from the pot. The outer and bottom fourth of the tree’s root mass should be removed. This is done by raking the soil away, then pruning back the roots. In most cases, it is not good to prune more than one fourth oft he tree’s root mass. After this, the tree can be placed back in it’s original pot or into another. The pot should have a screen placed over the drainage holes. Then a thin layer of small gravel is placed in the bottom of the pot for drainage purposes (if using a small pot this is not necessary). On top of this gravel, place the new fresh soil. Place a layer of well-draining soil which is sufficient enough to elevate the tree to its previous height in the pot (do not use miracle grow potting soil for any bonsai, it becomes too compact).
After placing the tree back in the pot, the area left vacant by the pruned root mass should be filled in with fresh soil. This fresh soil should be worked in around and under the root mass in such a manner as to avoid leaving any air pockets (but also do not flatten the soil down with your hands; this takes away any loose space that the roots would normally take up). After repotting, your bonsai should be thoroughly watered. This can be achieved by submerging the entire pot in a tub of water. Moss or other ground covers can be used to cover the surface of the pot to help prevent soil erosion when watering.
Since your bonsai is a tree in miniature form, it can be treated for insects and diseases the same as any other tree. If you discover any insects or diseases, visit our garden center to ask for professional help in eradicating your pest or disease problems.
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