When do you water?

subnet_rx

I've read two differing opinions on this in bonsai books. I water in the evenings, mostly because it's convenient for me. I never have time in the morning to effectively water. I've read that this is good because the roots have a good chance of soaking up all they can take. Then I've read it's bad because fungi and insects love moisture and they are mostly out at night. When do you prefer to water?

Advertisement

ekillians

First thing in the morning, or if I'm up really late (or just plan on sleeping in late) then I will water late at night.

Its not a rule, but I try not to water before 2am or after 10am (to avoid leaf burn).

Then of course, on hot days - you just need to water the base as needed especially the ones in small pots.

__________________
The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied, 'In that case, there is no time to lose; plant it this afternoon!'
-- John F. Kennedy

PatArizona

G'day all...

Watering at night can bring on infection, infestation root rot...

And, from Bret at EverGreen:

"...Sunlight will heat the plant and the pot, increasing transpiration and evaporation , decreasing the watering interval.

"Bonsai grown in the hottest and driest areas of the country need to be located where they will get morning sun and afternoon shade. The fastest growth will occur where there is bright light and optimum (moderate) temperatures, so there is little growth loss for most plants by placing them in the shade in the heat of the afternoon.

"Optimum light levels will result in the fastest growth which will also decrease drying time by promoting increased foliage...".

And:

Water "...precisely when the plant needs it the most, just before the heat of the day. I usually water for an hour or more around noon with a fine mist that thoroughly saturates the root ball...".

I try to water no later than 3:00pm. For healthier and happier bonsai.

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.

PatArizona

By the way...

"...to avoid leaf burn...".

There's an awful lot of evidence in the liturature disput that.

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.

mrbonsaiman1959

I water in the late afternoon one hour before sunset. When the weather is going to get hot I water twice. one hour before sunrise and one hour before suntset.

Haven't had any problems yet! Everyone has different ideas and should always find what is best for them. Good luck!

Glider

I water around midday. That's when they need it the most. They're usually ok in the mornings, having 'topped themselves up' overnight. I give them a good drenching; foliage and roots around midday and that way they're not standing in water after sunset.

It also helps keep up the humidity around the trees in the hottest part of the day.

__________________
Experience is knowledge gained immediately after it was needed.

waltr

During the heat of summer I have the timers set to water between 9-10am. Then in the evening I can hand water the smaller pots and others that need a second watering.

Before I have the sprinkler system going (before June) I water in the evening (6pm).

GrumbleGuts

I water in the evening because I am alive then.

__________________
When I battle with water bombs I freeze them first.

Mcspeed

Good info Pat, I water in the morning, and adjust my schedule to do so, It's what the trees need, not to be convenient. Without light at night water usage is down so I feel the roots would stay wetter than optimal, then in the heat of the afternoon, you hope there is enough moisture in the pot to keep the tree roots alive until early evening when watered again. I'll set my alarm a bit earlier and stick to my routine, I like morning, even though I'm not a huge fan of mornings. Otherwise I would set up an automatic system to do the same.

Another benifit if you call it that, is watering in the heat of the day you are changing the root temps considerably by drenching the pot with cold water, all I have heard on that one is to avoid it.

__________________
If at first you don't succeed -- skydiving is not for you.


Always remember that you're unique -- just like everyone else

Enjoy this day.
Bill