Bonsai Tree Care - Watering and Testing the Soil

Watering is one of the most complicated and yet important aspects of the bonsai tree. It seems like the easiest thing in the world – just water the plant! But there are apprentices in Japan who are only able to perform a number of duties during their first few years before they are permitted to water a tree. More bonsai trees are killed from incorrect watering than anything else.

Bonsai soil is unique from regular potting earth. The bonsai soil is more porous and thus drains much faster. The tree will therefore need more frequent watering than other plants. You can, however, be in danger of over-watering your plant, which will lead to fungus or root rot.

The extremes are dangerous with this plant, but they can be avoided. If you follow some basic tips, you can turn a complex art into a more simple routine that will be better for your tree.

Knowing the right amount of water to give your bonsai plants is very important. You will need to learn how to test the soil. Touch the surface with your thumb and see if it is dry. Gently scrape back any ground cover or surface earth to make sure. You can also get a standard moisture gauge that looks like an ordinary thermometer and provides an accurate reading. These thermometers can be in analog or digital display for your needs.

These thermometers are great, but they only tell a portion of the story since they can only detect the water at their tip. There can be dry spots that occur within the pot that will still be hurtful to the tree, especially if they are close to the roots. Depending on where the roots are all over the pot, there can be a number of potentially bad places.

Make sure that the entire soil has been moistened. Once a month, you can dip the pot of the tree in a bucket or sink filled with water. Only dunk it up to the base of the tree. You can let the pot absorb the water for a few minutes. You can also drain the water from the tray to make sure that the roots are not sitting in water, rotting.

You will want to water every day, but you don’t want the water to pool up in the pot. This will just encourage disease, fungus and mold.

You will need to water depending on your climate and pot. The different species will also need a different amount of water. For example, pine and other conifer trees will need less water than other trees. These bonsai trees do better with moderate dry periods. On the other hand, flowering or deciduous trees need more water than the conifers. Make sure that the leaves are not wilting or that there are not curled leaves on the deciduous trees.

No matter what, you will need to experiment and carefully measure your water to plan the best regime for your bonsai tree for any necessary adjustments.

         

More Bonsai Gardening Basic Tips and Guide