In the optimal care of bonsai, the right fertilizer is particularly important. Without this, the bonsai would lack important nutrients.
Anyone who buys a bonsai tree should be aware beforehand that these plants require a lot of care and attention. But just a little water and regular pruning is not enough.
Bonsai need fertilizer as additional food. The trick is to choose the right fertilizer with the optimal composition. The combination of water, light and fertilizer ensures optimal growth of the miniature trees.
What fertilizer is best for bonsai trees?
There are special fertilizers for bonsai, but apart from a high price, they do not provide any significant advantages. A normal complete fertilizer, such as Compo's green plant fertilizer, offers everything a bonsai needs.
The fertilizer consists of the three main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It can also contain other components such as magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese. The labeling on the pack or bottle contains the three letters N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus) and K (potassium oxide), the numbers behind indicate the percentage of the respective nutrient. A balanced ratio is important so that the individual components can develop their effect.
The individual components are used for this:
➜ Nitrogen
The bonsai needs nitrogen for green and strong leaves. The element nitrogen is mainly found in the atmosphere and is generally the motor for he althy growth. As a plant food, nitrogen is important for the formation of the green leaf mass. You can recognize a deficiency by a pale leaf color and stunted growth.
➜ Phosphorus
Phosphorus is required for flower and fruit formation. The roots absorb phosphate - the s alt of phosphoric acid - from the soil. If there is a lack of phosphorus, growth suffers and the flowers are reduced.
➜ Potassium
Potassium is mainly responsible for building up the wood mass. If you have a potassium deficiency, you will notice weak branches and soft petioles on your bonsai. Also areBonsai are then often susceptible to diseases.
When and how often should the bonsai be fertilized?
Water-soluble fertilizer is quickly absorbed by the roots of the plant and provides the bonsai with important nutrients.
» Be careful with the dosage: You can easily over-fertilize with mineral liquid fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the package or bottle and keep an eye on the bonsai. Better too little than too much! With solid fertilizer, over-fertilization does not happen so quickly, but the smell can be annoying.
The growth phase of bonsai, like all trees, runs from spring to late summer. During this time, regular fertilizer applications are useful. Gradually reduce dosage from spring to autumn.
Important exception when fertilizing the bonsai!
Mineral fertilizer is suitable for all bonsai that have a high proportion of organic material in the soil mix. This applies to bonsai that you keep indoors as well as to outdoor bonsai. However, if you use a special bonsai soil, for example Akadama, Kanuma, Kiryu or a mixture of these, you must use an organic fertilizer. Because bonsai soil consists of clay granules and a mineral fertilizer would be out of place here.