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The every day needs of a bonsai are exactly the
same as those of any other plant. It must never
be allowed to dry out; it needs nourishment and
a good growing mixture for the roots to develop.
It needs air and light. No bonsai of a tree that
normally lives outdoors in your climate should
ever be kept permanently indoors. Indoor display
of bonsai should be placed in a location where
it receives morning sun and not hot afternoon
sun; this should really be no longer than a few
days in a row. General maintenance of a bonsai
includes trimming, re-potting every few years,
insect and disease control.
Wiring is the most important training technique and
is used to bend the trunk and branches of a plant to
the required shape. Gentle bending of a branch
before wiring will increase its flexibility and
indicate the correct wire thickness to be used.
Tender barked trees should be wired with paper
wrapped wire to protect the bark. Deciduous trees
should be wired after their leaves have matured in
early summer, and the wires removed in autumn to
avoid wounding and scarring the bark.
Plants are to be fed with a half recommended dose of
a liquid organic fertilizer high in nitrogen in
spring and low in nitrogen in autumn at periods of
every two weeks. Solid organic slow release
fertilizers may also be used.
Pruning creates and preserves the desired shape of
the plant and it also helps to keep the leaves small
and encourages the growth of flower buds. Heavy
pruning should be carried out in summer. General
pruning is to be done throughout the growing season
by cutting back new shoots.
Generally bonsai should be repotted every two to
three years, during late winter or early spring. Be
guided by your tree when evidence that the tree is
coming out of its dormancy period. A pot of the same
size or slightly larger should be used. At the same
time, the root ball should be pruned and any dead
growth removed. A good free draining bonsai soil
mixture should be used.
In summer bonsai may need watering twice a day, in
winter, perhaps once every other day depending on
the dryness of your climate. The amount of watering
depends on the dryness of the soil. Avoid watering
in the heat of the day. Use a watering can or hose
with attachment of a fine spray.
Any insect pest likely to attack a tree growing wild
will also attack a bonsai. A diluted mixture of an
appropriate insecticide will generally curb any
insect problem. |