If you want to bring some Far Eastern flair to your garden or apartment, a bonsai is the best choice. However, only those who take good care of it will enjoy it for a long time.
It's really no wonder that so many fans of the little bonsai trees are fans. After all, they look lovely and are in no way inferior to their big brothers. They adorn our window sills and they also cut a fine figure on the terrace or balcony. But of course that doesn't happen by itself. Anyone who thinks that bonsai do not grow and therefore do not have to be cut is mistaken. Even these small trees need regular pruning. And not only that. Of course, bonsai trees also need water and fertilizer.
An overview of the most important care measures
❖ Water bonsai:
For bonsai to develop magnificently, they naturally need some water. However, you can't happily pour it out now. With bonsai trees you have to consider a few points when it comes to watering:
- The bonsai pot must not dry out completely.
- There must be no waterlogging.
- The shallower the skin, the more frequently you will need to water.
- The warmer it is, the more water the plant needs.
- Always use rainwater for watering.
You can easily find out for yourself when the right time to water is. As? With the finger test. To do this, insert a finger into the substrate. If you don't feel moisture, you need to water the bonsai.
❖ Fertilize bonsai:
The growing season of bonsai is between spring and late summer. During this time you should fertilize your bonsai regularly. It is best to follow the fertilizer manufacturer's instructions. However, always dose a little less from spring to late autumn.
Your trees can be fertilized with a real bonsai fertilizer. But you can also use a normal complete fertilizer for green plants (e.g. available here).
❖ Pruning bonsai:
How you have to cut a bonsai always depends on the variety. It is best to find out about the pruning measures when buying directly from the plant dealer.
However, there are some basic rules that apply to all types of bonsai. So need:
- all branches moving inwards towards the crown are cut off
- small thin branches growing out of the trunk are cut off
- unnaturally bent branches are removed
- strong shoots are always cut diagonally, directly above the bud
- weak shoots are cut off at right angles to the direction of growth
Many think that you only have to cut the bonsai above ground, but the roots also have to be cut. The cutting of the roots should always be in balance with the cutting of the crowns. That means: as much as you cut off at the top, you also have to cut off at the bottom. After cutting, you should put the bonsai back in its special pot. You do it like this:
- First you should fill the planter with a drainage layer of gravel or grit.
- Now you can put the freshly cut bonsai in the bowl.
- Then fill everything up with bonsai soil.
- The top layer is then covered with moss, gravel or mulch.
If you stick to all these care measures, you will enjoy your bonsai tree for a long time.
Tip:
If you are already pruning the bonsai, you can propagate it at the same time. Find out how here.