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1. Do you have an indoor or outdoor bonsai? There are two types of bonsai trees; indoor and outdoor. Indoor bonsai are trees that come from tropical areas and can survive very nicely in the house year round or can be set outdoors in late spring and summer and be brought back indoors in the fall when nighttime temperatures dip below 55 degrees. When setting a bonsai outdoors it is best to put it in a location where it can get morning sun and afternoon shade. If this is not available then take precautions to protect the tree from direct sunlight and burning by adding shade screen. Some bonsai will survive in full sun, but it is best to use caution if you are uncertain whether your tree will. Outdoor bonsai are trees that fall into two categories; evergreen trees, (junipers, pines, et.) and deciduous trees, trees that loose their leaves in the fall and go into a dormant stage and re-bud in Spring (maples, ginko, elms, et.) Outdoor trees do not do well indoors for long periods of time and should be properly protected in the winter to guard against freezing.
2. Watering your bonsai : More bonsai are lost due to improper watering than any other cause. Water when the soil is dry below the surface. At times the top soil can appear dry but the soil below is still moist. Your tree may go through some changes when you get it to your home as it is changing atmospheric conditions and temperatures. This is normal and the plant will adjust in a few weeks. You may notice some yellowing and falling leaves during this adjustment period, but this is no cause for alarm. The most efficient way to properly water your bonsai is to insert your finger into the soil about 1" to see what the soil conditions are. If it feels wet or damp then don't water. If it feel dry then water it thoroughly until water floods out the bottom of your container. You should only have to test the soil this way for about 2 weeks then you should see a pattern forming and be on a regular schedule. Watering usually increases with warming temperatures so you should have to water more in the Summer than in the Fall and Winter. In Winter time all trees slow down and do not need as much water to survive (outdoor trees should only be watered when temperatures are above 45 degrees).
3. Fertilizing your bonsai: Your bonsai does require fertilization like any plant. However, the frequency of fertilization will depend on the potency of the fertilizer used. We recommend "Watch Us Grow". With Watch Us Grow you can fertilize every two weeks during the growing season and then we suggest that you fertilize indoor trees only once a month in late fall and through Winter. Outdoor bonsai should not be fertilized at all in the Winter as they will be in a dormant stage. Mixture of Watch us Grow is 1 - 2 tablespoons to 1 gal of water. Works best when applied to foliage and allowed to run into the soil. Apply more potent fertilizers less often.
4. Hormone and vitamin supplements: We highly recommend that you use Superthrive Vitamin Supplement on your bonsai. We have found it to be invaluable in keeping our bonsai trees healthy and happy. You can use Superthrive every two weeks during the growing season. Mix according to directions on bottle.
5. Trimming your bonsai: Trimming and pruning are the most important elements in keeping your bonsai miniature. This is done by clipping excess growth with sharp trimming shears for tropical and deciduous trees (cut at an angle above a leaf) and by pinching back the excess foliage growth on evergreen trees.
6. Root pruning and repotting your bonsai: This is essential to the health and vitality of your bonsai. Roots should only be pruned and your tree repotted when it fills the pot that it is in and the roots have no where to go. The soil becomes hard and impacted not allowing water to drain through freely. This will occur about every 2 - 3 years depending on the species of your bonsai and the rate of growth. Repotting is a simple process and can be accomplish in 20 - 30 minutes in most cases. It is nothing to fear. Generally, 1/3 of the root ball needs to be removed and the tree put back into the pot with a fresh soil supply. It is always a good idea to use tie down wires to help hold your bonsai securely in place. In addition be sure that the soil is a bonsai mixture proper for your type of tree. Potting soil holds too much moisture and promotes root rot.
7. Insect and disease control: You should routinely check your bonsai over for infestations such as scale or spider mites, et. If spotted they are usually very treatable with common insecticides, fungicides, or organic insecticides. For example to treat scale on most tropical trees a mixture of 1 tablespoon of horticultural oil to 1 pint of water sprayed on the foliage and branches will do the job. This should be repeated in 2 weeks to prevent any left over eggs from hatching. If an insect or fungus problem occurs contact your local nursery and they should be able to tell you how to best treat your bonsai so that you will have years of enjoyment from it.
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