PatArizona

G'day Ekko...

Good advice above, however, below is a disertation I used to hand out to classes I taught, and to beginners at club meetings...

It works for me...it may work for you.

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…this process assumes the use of a proper, well draining bonsai soil mix.

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) in the soil to indicate watering requirements. (Some say to stick your finger into the soil to assess moisture level. However, I tired of having to clean my fingernails every time I checked for water needs).

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”! If you are not certain of the state of damp/dry, wipe off the dirty end of the "chopstick" and draw it lightly across your cheek (or the under side of your wrist). That will give you a feel for how much moisture is in the soil.

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 of 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 1…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 root ball. 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!

IMPORTANT NOTE 2…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 (Step2) 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! THEN…Wait about 10 minutes for this process to work.

• Now, give the soil a good drenching…this watering flushes out the remaining dislodged 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.
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Remember, bonsai is a trip that requires time and patience...welcome aboard and enjoy the journey...

Pat

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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.