Tips on Summer Care
- Watering
by Jerry Meislik
The months of July
and August with their hot daily temperatures can take a toll
on our bonsai. The most critical chore is watering your trees
as they need it. Experienced bonsai growers know from a glance
at the trees and a quick touch to the soil surface when water
is needed but less experienced growers need to learn the clues
from their trees.
1. Touch the soil surface to determine moisture level. A double
check is to scratch down a half inch to see if the soil is dry
there. Water if it seems dry. If the soil is still moist wait
and check later that day or the next morning.
2. Some bonsai growers use a wooden stick, like a toothpick,
left in the soil. Remove the stick and water when the end of
the stick is slightly dry. Once you have done this a few times
your tree's needs will be apparent even without the stick.
3. Another way to tell if your tree needs water is visually.
Some soil components like turface, bark or akadama will look
darker when wet. This will be noticeable even from across the
room.
4. Remember too that dry trees must not be fertilized. A dry
tree hit by fertilizer may become a dead tree. So water your
trees well before fertilizing.
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