Bonsai are easy to care fore if you ensure they have sufficient water, sun and fresh air. Here are a few tips to keep your bonsai as healthy as possible.
Watering: Water your bonsai daily, enough to wet the soil thoroughly, unless it is still wet from a previous watering. The soil must not dry right out, nor stay water-logged. Usually once a day watering is required in warm to hot months.
Feeding: Contrary to popular belief bonsai are not starved. Use a slow release fertiliser every six to twelve months and the occasional application of a soluble fertiliser every few weeks.
Position: The permanent position of your bonsai should be outdoors where they can get plenty of fresh air and filtered sun, especially in hot dry climates, eg on a patio, veranda, or in a bush house. You can take them indoor if you wish, but for short periods only. Tropical bonsai are good for indoor use in cooler climates.
Pruning: Your bonsai should be pruned to tip pinched periodically to maintain its attractive shape.
Root pruning: If your bonsai is grown in the pot for too long it will become root bound and loose condition. Before this happens the tree must be removed from the pot, root pruned and re-potted on average every two years during winter.
Wiring: To change the shape of the trunk or branches, copper or aluminium wire may be used, but if left on too long the bark may become damaged.
