JeffH

Thanks for your tips Pat.

Some say to water when the surface is dry, and some when the soil is dry underneath an inch or so. It makes me doubt my watering habits.

I sometimes tip the tree out of the pot to check the root zone for moisture, but even then I wonder how damp it should be before watering. I know I shouldn't water if its "wet", or allow the roots to become completely dry. But knowing when its "just right" has puzzled me.

Your chopstick method might help me to gain a little more confidence in my watering habits without tipping the tree from its pot!

Another problem I have realized thanks to bonsaitalk, is that the soil in a couple of my pots is too organic and needs to be more free draining. I am going to mix some better soil for my next repottings!

Any other advice would be appreciated Pat.

Thanks again,

Jeff H