Watering This is the most important aspect of caring for bonsai, especially for bonsai that is kept indoors for too long. Two things to remember about providing water for bonsai are the type of soil and species. Different soils will absorb and retain water at different rates and different tree species have varying degrees of water need.

The Japanese have a saying: water three times, each one for the pot, the soil and the tree. About 75% percent of water is taken in through the root system, but don’t forget the leaves. Bonsai plants also acquire water through its stomata so make sure you wipe or wash away the dust and dirt regularly.

Use gentle water pressure when watering your bonsai. If you use a strong one, you might wash away the topsoil and expose the roots. Use a misting hose or a spray hose with an adjustable spray nozzle and mind the water temperature. Good tap water is fine, so take care that the water that comes out of the hose isn’t too cold or too warm.

Soil Soil choice for your bonsai is critical for its health and long life. It really depends on the tree species of your bonsai, but generally, soil should be made of 30% humus and 70% grit for needled evergreen trees and 70% humus and 30% grit for deciduous trees. If you have a different bonsai species, make sure to look up which soil meets its special needs, since you might have to prepare a special soil mix yourself.

Pruning Pruning involves leaves, branches and roots. Bonsai lovers know that what you do to the bottom, you do to the top. Remember that less foliage means less for the roots to support. But where to start and which to cut? 

First, consider the style you’ve chosen for a particular bonsai. Draw an imaginary line over your bonsai and cut the branches that protrude, obstruct or deviate from that line. Second, prune to redirect growth in one area. If you prune the left side heavily, you will redirect growth to the right side.

Next, prune leaves or buds with care. Pruning buds will encourage back-budding and cutting leaves will ‘discipline’ the growth of the bonsai. It is also necessary to manage the nutrients that the roots draw up from the soil. Remember that you are trying to grow a tiny tree and letting it grow on its own will result to an uncontrolled size.

Caring for bonsai takes lots of patience, knowledge and learned skills. It involves continuous work, but the results are more than worth the effort.

About the Author:

To read about the oldest tree and the aspen tree, visit the Tree Facts site.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How to Care for Your Bonsai Plant

08-09 Suzuki Hayabusa Nitrous Co2 No2 purge spray hose rear cowl

Applica Clear 2O Water Pitcher #CWS100A $13.00 Better Water by Design. Clear2O Water Pitcher, Connects Directly To Your Kitchen Faucet. 9 Glass Capacity, Faucet Quick Connection, Smart Filter Life Indicator, Replaceable Carbon Filter For Pitcher....

Ultra EuroJet Kitchen Sprayer - Black $15.49 Ultra EuroJet Double Swivel Adjustable Sprayhead Convert your low pressure kitchen faucet into a powerful jet spray that reaches every corner of your sink and saves water. Cut your kitchen cleaning time ion half- the European kitchen secret! With a quick pull, EuroJet adjustable sprayhead converts your low pressure kitchen faucet into a powerful jet spray. Solid brass coupling won't strip lik...

Sprite Massaging Handheld Chlorine Shower Filter Unit with Replaceable Filter pre-installed $32.39 The White Handheld Shower Filter from Sprite Industries comes with a built-in 2.5 gpm adjustable pulse-massage showerhead for those who prefer the versatility of a handheld unit. Great for shampooing and bathing children and pets. Maximum mobility with a 5 foot hose. Easy to install and change cartridges. NSF certified to remove 99% of Chlorine. Also removes up to 99% Hydrogen Sulfide and odors. O...

Contech CRO101 Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler $59.99 The Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler presents an innovative, humane way to keep pets and wildlife from disturbing your yard and garden without the use of complicated traps or potentially hazardous chemicals. The sprinkler combines a surprise spray of water with unexpected motion and noise to create a safe, effective deterrent to unwanted visitors, helping keep your garden l...

Gilmour 01RW Rubber Hose Washers $0.01 These heavy-duty rubber Hose Washers fit all standard female garden hose fittings....

Chapin 20000 1-Gallon Lawn and Garden Sprayer $16.99 The Chapin 1-gallon lawn and garden poly sprayer is ideal for fertilizers, weed killers and pesticides. Built with the Clean 'N Easy design, this sprayer features the patented Sure Spray filter to help prevent clogging. The translucent 1-gallon bottle allows for easy monitoring of fluid levels and has a large, funnel top opening for no mess in mixing and cleaning. This sprayer is equipped with an ...

Jobst It Stays Roll-On Body Adhesive Roll-on body adhesive helps Jobst garments stay in place....

RediBreeze Oral Irrigator dental water jet $25.00 Breeze away gum disease at your sink with RediBreeze (permanent faucet attachment). Attach it to your faucet once; use it forever. With its EZ-breeze design you can breeze or run tap water with the simple flip of a switch. **5.0 out of 5 stars Great Product, By Bruce Anderson I've owned waterpik units that eventually, after a brief period of enthusiasm, would begin to gather dust somewhere from ...

Pumponator Balloon Pumping Station (Colors May Vary) $19.99 The Original Pumponator® Balloon Pumping Station. Fill with water for water balloons or leave empty for filling balloons with air. Place a water balloon on the nozzle, pump 8-10 times and press the lever. Water instantly pressurizes the balloon. Comes with 500 biodegradable water balloons and tying strings to tie off the balloons. The Original Pumponator® is fun and easy for kids, mess-free ...

Air Duster, Nonflammable, Refillable, Extension Hose, 10 Ounce, Ozone Safe RRTRR3508 $34.99 This compressed-gas duster is 100 percent nonflammable, ozone safe, and laboratory pure. Comes complete with an all-metal OS valve assembly and 3' extension hose....