A bonsai is much more than just a 'Potted Tree.' It must be trained and changed into a refined living sculpture. Bonsai is a visual art form that should evoke an aesthetic response by the viewer.
BASIC PROCEDURE FOR THE CARE OF YOUR BONSAI
Make sure you keep your Bonsai outdoors unless it is an indoor variety. Many plants will not survive indoors. They need to be given a dormant period.
Fertilizing: Use a well balanced, water soluble fertilizer. Apply at half
strength every two weeks during the growing season. Time
release fertilizers (such as Osmocote) work well too.
CAUTION: DO NOT OVER FERTILIZE!!!
Light: Avoid direct sunlight. Shade cloth or a lath house will give you a proper growing environment.
Pruning: 1/3 to 1/2 of the new growth should be cut, pinched or pruned
to the desired shape. Timing of pruning is important to develop a desired shape. Root pruning is done at the time of
repotting.
Repotting: "Rule of Thumb" – Broad leaf plants should be repotted every
three years. Conifers and needle leaved plants should be
repotted every five years. January to early March is the time to
repot your bonsai.
Temperature: Do not let your bonsai freeze hard. Do not keep and outdoor bonsai in the house for more than 2 days. They do best at 65
to 80 degrees. During dormancy they will do best at 30 to 50
degrees. Keep the soil moist but not wet while they are
dormant. 60 to 90 days at these temperatures in the fall will
be fine for a dormant period.
Moisture: Do not drown your bonsai!!! Keep your bonsai moist but not
wet. Some bonsai do better when they are on the dry side. When watering your bonsai, water the foliage as well as the
plant. It is best not to use a garden hose. Use a sprinkler
can or a misting nozzle.
