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Bonsai Care - Watering

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 - never let the compost dry out. That is the quickest way to kill a bonsai. The trees and plants in the ground adapt to their environment, your bonsai cannot do that as they are in such a small scale, that the things you do, or don't do have a big impact on it. In Japan it is said that it takes 3 years to master the proper watering of a bonsai.

Under-watering harms a bonsai far more quickly than over-watering. It is very important to take careful note of the condition of the compost, make sure it is not dried out.

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.

So how can you tell how much water is the right amount? Well, if you are re-potting, if you have over-watered the fine root hairs will have turned black and have rotted and died.

Some of the signs which may indicate that you are not watering correctly are - the smaller branches shrink and die away - foliage turns yellow - the plant suffers a lack of vigor and looks tired not healthy.

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!

What is your watering routine? It should not be set. Daily changing temperatures and environment meant that you need to adapt your routine to that which your bonsai needs. You must carefully watch the needs of each plant as bonsai have a very small root system which can dry out quickly. Watch the compost which may be damp on top, but could be dry below the surface. Individual species of bonsai use water at different rates and must be checked daily.

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.

Bonsai Care - Watering

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