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G'day Joe...

The following may be a bit overkill, this is what works for me, and it has been used in classes and club lectures...

WATERING YOUR BONSAI

The most important element in watering your bonsai is the SOIL! To minimize water-related problems, I use a free draining soil mix that will allow water to run through, and at the same time, absorb water and oxygen.

In order for you to water your bonsai properly, you need to learn the watering needs of each of your trees. One of the following statements should describe the needs of each of your trees.

Keep moist at all times, but not wet.
Water only if the soil is drying out.
Water when the soil is almost dry.
Water when the soil has dried to the point that it will be DRY before your next watering.
When soil is DRY, water yesterday.

The second most important element in watering you bonsai is: water each individual bonsai only when it needs watering…and every time you water it, give it a thorough drenching!

The Watering Process

To determine when a bonsai needs watering, check the water content of the soil at 1½-2” below the surface. I use a small “chopstick” (a bamboo skewer works) in the soil to indicate watering requirements. Daily, for each individual bonsai, I pull the “chopstick” out of the soil and check the moisture. If the bonsai needs watering (moist, drying out, almost dry, dry…), I do not replace the “chopstick” until after watering .…no “chopstick” means water now!

With experience you may be able to tell when a plant needs water by lifting the plant, and/or by what the plant looks like…goodbye “chopstick”!

I then water each of the identified bonsai the same way…always overhead watering, never by emersion. Use the following steps:

Water lightly with a fine spray, from a distance (12-18”)… just 10-30 seconds (depending on the size of the bonsai being watered). This will relax the surface tension, allowing the free flow of water…wait 5-10 minutes.
Move the spray nozzle closer, and water until water runs freely out through the drain holes. IMPORTANT NOTE: water the plant for a sufficient period of time to be sure that the soil has been completely hydrated, without relying solely on water emerging from the drain holes as an indicator of proper watering.This watering will loosen dust and dissolve excess and unwanted minerals and salts, which have collected in the soil. As the water runs down through the soil, air is drawn into the small channels between the soil particles…if you listen closely, and your hearing is good, you may be able to hear the air rushing in! Wait about 10 minutes for this process to work.
Now, give the soil a good drenching…this watering flushes out the excess and harmful waste materials.
Give all bonsai a good foliar spray about once a week…to remove dust and dirt.

Note: I use tap water (here in Southern Arizona “tap” is well water) for all my watering…with very little sign of salt or mineral buildup on pots or trunks…EXCEPT: Some buildup on leaves. Any bonsai that I plan on showing will get a good, daily foliar spraying, using bottled water, for a week or more before the showing.

Watch how fast the water starts draining from the bottom of the pot. If it is almost instantaneous, it is likely that water has flowed to the edges of the pot, drained down and out…bypassing the soil and rootball. This bonsai may be rootbound. If “standing water” takes more than 1 minute to drain, the soil is not draining freely enough…watch for root rot!

REMEMBER...this is what works for me...I hope it is helpful for you.

Pat

5-Jun-2006	#3
PatArizona Bonsai Master, in my mind Join Date: Feb-2005 Location: Back Home in Northern California Country: USA Posts: 1,594	G'day Joe... The following may be a bit overkill, this is what works for me, and it has been used in classes and club lectures... WATERING YOUR BONSAI The most important element in watering your bonsai is the SOIL! To minimize water-related problems, I use a free draining soil mix that will allow water to run through, and at the same time, absorb water and oxygen. In order for you to water your bonsai properly, you need to learn the watering needs of each of your trees. One of the following statements should describe the needs of each of your trees. Keep moist at all times, but not wet. Water only if the soil is drying out. Water when the soil is almost dry. Water when the soil has dried to the point that it will be DRY before your next watering. When soil is DRY, water yesterday. The second most important element in watering you bonsai is: water each individual bonsai only when it needs watering…and every time you water it, give it a thorough drenching! The Watering Process To determine when a bonsai needs watering, check the water content of the soil at 1½-2” below the surface. I use a small “chopstick” (a bamboo skewer works) in the soil to indicate watering requirements. Daily, for each individual bonsai, I pull the “chopstick” out of the soil and check the moisture. If the bonsai needs watering (moist, drying out, almost dry, dry…), I do not replace the “chopstick” until after watering .…no “chopstick” means water now! With experience you may be able to tell when a plant needs water by lifting the plant, and/or by what the plant looks like…goodbye “chopstick”! I then water each of the identified bonsai the same way…always overhead watering, never by emersion. Use the following steps: Water lightly with a fine spray, from a distance (12-18”)… just 10-30 seconds (depending on the size of the bonsai being watered). This will relax the surface tension, allowing the free flow of water…wait 5-10 minutes. Move the spray nozzle closer, and water until water runs freely out through the drain holes. IMPORTANT NOTE: water the plant for a sufficient period of time to be sure that the soil has been completely hydrated, without relying solely on water emerging from the drain holes as an indicator of proper watering.This watering will loosen dust and dissolve excess and unwanted minerals and salts, which have collected in the soil. As the water runs down through the soil, air is drawn into the small channels between the soil particles…if you listen closely, and your hearing is good, you may be able to hear the air rushing in! Wait about 10 minutes for this process to work. Now, give the soil a good drenching…this watering flushes out the excess and harmful waste materials. Give all bonsai a good foliar spray about once a week…to remove dust and dirt. Note: I use tap water (here in Southern Arizona “tap” is well water) for all my watering…with very little sign of salt or mineral buildup on pots or trunks…EXCEPT: Some buildup on leaves. Any bonsai that I plan on showing will get a good, daily foliar spraying, using bottled water, for a week or more before the showing. Watch how fast the water starts draining from the bottom of the pot. If it is almost instantaneous, it is likely that water has flowed to the edges of the pot, drained down and out…bypassing the soil and rootball. This bonsai may be rootbound. If “standing water” takes more than 1 minute to drain, the soil is not draining freely enough…watch for root rot! REMEMBER...this is what works for me...I hope it is helpful for you. Pat __________________ BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain. THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life. Pat Patterson...Bonsai in the Greater Bay Area, Northern California