Tree Care
All our trees are hardy outdoor trees and should not be kept
inside. Because a bonsai tree is in a pot, its roots cannot
grow deep into the ground for water and nourishment, and it
needs to be looked after carefully, fed and watered. Trees
do not like to stand in water, their soil should be free
draining, but they should be kept moist, and if it does not
rain, they must be watered, every day in the summer. They
should be fed during the growing season, with any
proprietary fertilizer sprinkled on the surface of the soil,
watered in, or used as a foliar feed.
The tree will respond differently according to how you treat
it. You can keep it small, or make it larger, by putting it
in different amounts of soil. Some people grow them in large
containers at first for fast growth, and then reduce the
size when the tree has obtained vigour and growth.
In either case, the same principles apply. The tree should
never become pot-bound. The roots should be inspected,
re-potted and trimmed in early spring to give plenty of room
for root development, and to encourage a good fibrous root
system. The more fibrous the root system, the more
nourishment the tree can absorb from the soil, and the
healthier the tree will be. Do not be afraid, you can be
quite rough with the roots, combing them out to the shape of
your pot.
Soils should be loose and free draining. Everyone has their
own favourite soil mix, but we like 50% non-soil based
compost, and 50% granular material.
Bonsai pots have large drainage holes, which need to be
covered by a square of mesh, to contain the soil.
If the tree thrives, it will also respond well to other bonsai techniques, such as pruning or wiring, and styling. The first thing is to know your tree, and maintain it in good health.
Observatory Bonsai Nursery
Situated in Cardiff, South Wales, UK
Tel: 02920 484892 - 07974 390004