A bonsai tree is a small shrub-like tree that is a recreation of nature that does not reveal the presence of human intervention too obviously. Growing bonsai trees has become less of a hobby and more of an art form since people pay more attention to their bonsai than they do to any other household plant.
Bonsai, in contrast to other houseplants, can dry up rapidly because they are planted in shallow pots and coarse soil. There are a few elements that influence how frequently you should water your bonsai. You need to spend some time with your bonsai tree and observe it before establishing a suitable watering schedule.
How to Tell if Bonsai Tree Needs Water?
Feeling the soil will tell you whether or not the bonsai requires water. Indent the earth with your finger about a half-inch deep. Bonsais should be watered when there is little moisture in the top half-inch of dirt.
If it’s dry when you touch it, then it is probably time to water the tree. Bear in mind this is a loose and basic rule that may or may not apply to all bonsai varieties and situations.
When it comes to succulent bonsai like a Jade, a dry season will be welcomed. As a result, it is critical to conduct extensive studies on your bonsai.
How Do You Know When Your Bonsai Tree is Sufficiently Watered?
The beautiful thing about plants is that they immediately start to show signs of something is wrong. For example, if the bonsai tree doesn’t have enough water, its leaves will start turning yellow and fall off.
Underwatering is the most common cause of bonsai tree death, accounting for nearly half of all cases. Due to the soil layer being shallow, it has a high potential for drying out quickly. Watering bonsai trees should be done as soon as the top layer of soil looks to be dry.
To make sure your bonsai always gets enough water, get to know your plant and establish a watering schedule that’s suitable for its needs.
Can You Overwater Bonsai Tree?
As you’re watering your bonsai, you need to focus on one thing: making sure that the root system is getting enough water. Much like underwatering, overwatering can also cause a series of potential problems and threaten the overall health of your bonsai.
What are Signs of an Overwatered Bonsai Tree?
Overwatered bonsai exhibit symptoms such as yellowing of the leaves and smaller branches that start to shrivel. With an overwatered bonsai, the roots become drowned in water and starved of oxygen, which inhibits the tree from growing to support itself. Having soil with poor drainage might also lead to overwatering.
How Long Can a Bonsai Tree Go Without Water?
If you leave for just a few days, there’s probably nothing to be concerned about. Bonsai appreciate it when it gets a little dry in between waterings, but they should never be allowed to get completely dehydrated. If you’re going to be away for several days or weeks, ask a buddy to come over and water your bonsai plants.
Should Bonsai Tree Soil Be Moist?
Yes. Bonsai is a type of tree that needs constant watering. You never want to let the soil of your bonsai tree dry out. Even when you proceed with the next scheduled watering, the soil should still be damp.
Why is Bonsai Tree Turning Brown/Yellow?
If you notice that your bonsai has yellow leaves, it could be a sign of over or underwatering. Based on the species in question, some bonsai trees have leaves that become yellow when they are exposed to excessive amounts of light. Determine how much sunshine your bonsai need and ensure that it receives it in the proper environment.
Some plant species may be prone to a disease that causes their leaves to turn yellow. To determine whether or whether your bonsai is suffering from an illness, you must first learn about the diseases that commonly affect the species you possess.
In addition to all the aforementioned causes, a few extra ones could lead to bonsai tree leaves turning brown. If your bonsai is attacked by pests, you may detect brown stains on the leaves.
It is necessary to research the most frequent pests that attack your bonsai plant to determine how to best protect it. Even though spider mites are a prevalent nuisance in warm and dry weather, they are not the only bugs that create brown leaves on plants.
Does Bonsai Tree Need Fertilizer?
Bonsai must have regular fertilization throughout the growing season to thrive. Trees are normally capable of extending their root systems in search of nutrients, but because Bonsai are constrained to the relatively tiny pots in which they are planted, they require proper fertilization to replace the nutritional content of the soil around them.
The majority of Bonsai trees require fertilization throughout the whole growing season, from early spring to mid-fall. If a tree is older and has been around for a long time, it may not need to be fertilized as often. This balances on a few factors, including the development stage or the current season.
How Much Sunlight Does Bonsai Tree Need?
Bonsai require direct sunshine to produce their food. Their foliage will become weak and other issues will arise if they are not exposed to direct sunlight. They want to be exposed to five to six hours of sunshine per day, whether located inside or outdoors.
While bonsais love to be outside during those warmer months, many varieties may be kept indoors throughout the year. Please keep in mind that the more sunlight and heat your Bonsai receives, the more frequently it will require watering.
Will Temperatures and Humidity Affect Bonsai Tree?
When it comes to cultivating bonsai, the temperature is crucial. It is recommended that all indoor bonsai plants be maintained warm, but not hot, during the winter months.
Temperatures should be kept around 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal results. This temperature range, on the other hand, may not be suited for all bonsai varieties.
Growers should choose a temperature that is appropriate for the plant’s origin. Indoor bonsai plants require a consistent temperature throughout the day. Tropical plants can survive in climates where room temperatures are kept constant regardless of the season.
Indoor bonsai are normally subtropical tree species, which means they love high levels of humidity. Having a humidity tray and placing the bonsai on top of it is a good idea. You want your indoor bonsai to stay in a spot with constant temperature throughout the day.
Will Bonsai Tree Survive in the Winter?
To keep your outside bonsai trees safe throughout the winter months, move them to a cool, shady spot that is not exposed to direct sunlight or heat. If your bonsai tree is of a hardy variety, you can leave it outside as long as it has enough protection from the elements.
When you have your bonsai indoors, make sure that it stays at a temperature between 20 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. You can let your bonsai experience the first freeze so that it can trigger its cold-resistance mechanism.
Final Thoughts
There are no true and exact guidelines on how to water a bonsai. You need to take into account the exact type of bonsai you have, as well as what are the specific requirements for your tree variety.
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Janice is a retired High School teacher who is spending her leisure years keeping busy with all sorts of projects. Aside from freelance writing, she’s an enthusiastic amateur chef, home wine maker, and tends a large raised-bed vegetable garden, while at the same time running a Bed & Breakfast.