Submerge My Bonsai?

Sheep

I need to know whether it is plausible to submerge a bonsai as a means of watering. I am only a beginner and was thoroughly warned against over- and under watering.

I bought a viral "mallsai" (Juniperus Chinensis) and was told to submerge it just above the rim of the pot until no more bubbles rise to the top. I have been reading a lot about it, but never received a direct answer. (Suppose that I have a perfect soil mixture)

Do I do this?
How often?
Thanks,
Justin

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mike79

I think submerging is always recommended by nurseries because they never bother to take the glue off of the rocks (which I imagine prevents some areas of the pot from getting thoroughly watered). If your plant has decorative rocks glued on, take the rocks off and wash the glue off before putting them back on again. Sometimes they come with large amounts of moss; frequently the moss is dead anyway so you might as well take some of it off as well if there's too much.
Submerging the pot will have a tendency to flush some of the soil out of the pot and (I'm told) produce a buildup of salts that can be harmful to the soil's chemistry - by making it too basic, I suppose. I would just use a watering can and water it thoroughly all over the top until water starts to drain through the bottom. I really don't see a need/reason to water by submerging.
Try watering the plant when the soil is just barely moist about an inch below the surface (use your finger). You can get an estimate as to how much water the soil has by lifting the pot up - do this before you water each time and you should be able to tell when to water just by weight of the pot fairly quickly.
And you probably have a juniperus procumbens nana, too. Chinensis I don't believe are used too often as "mallsai". But of course I could be wrong. :)

Frank Kelly

Only submerge your pot if for some reason it has dried out

juliet-of-oz

hi there

Im in australia, in a very dry part and i try to 'dunk' water my trees at least once a fortnight but when you get up over the 100 or so potted trees - its a chore.

I see no drama with watering by dunking and know of someone who only waters this way ( and has been for 15 year or so) but also mist the foliage every so often if you are in a dry climate.

All i can suggest is ask your local bonsai club members for advice, eventually the tree will tell you anyway..

cheers

juliet

i forgot to say that i also water from the top every day too...i dont just water once every fortnight(err every 2 weeks for you american types)

BonsaiMon

I agree with Juliet dunking trees hasn't caused any of my trees to develope any problems. Dunking your tree tells alot about how you are top watering.
If air continues to escape from the roots for longer than say 30 seconds the root ball was dry. Checking the weight after dunking is good. Do the same after top watering and before long it will be easy to feel the difference. Top watering is the desired way, hey, it is easier when you have many trees. If you have fertilizer on the surface it feeds the trees also. I usually water til water is coming out the bottom and go on to some other trees and come back and water again til water comes out the bottom. In the heat of the summer dunking trees with alot of foilage and/or root bound, is faster..and more thorough. Your juniper wil like periods of dry, not bone dry but dry on top of the soil and moist in the roots. Watering during the winter is a lil tricky. There is no hot sun so trees tend to hold more moisture. Checking with your finger is, I feel, the easiest way to determine whether water is needed.

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tom stoute

http://bonsaiinsights.spaces.live.com/

Sheep

Thanks a lot...
I guess it all boils down to a good soil mixture. I suppose I will try submerging it, but then again, I will only find time for such a thing on the weekends. If something goes wrong, I'll let everybody know.

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BonsaiMon

Sheep.. once a week at this time of year may be a bit much.. have you checked your soil to make sure it is a coarse mix? Does it drain well when you top water?

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tom stoute

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Sheep

Yes, I suppose it does drain well. The soil on the surface remains moist most of the day long until I awake in the morning and water again. Evertime I water approximately half of the water is returned to me. Let me know if this is good or bad or anything.

I have been in bonsai for about 3 monthes, which explains why all I can do is ask questions and not comment.
Thanks for your concern,

Justin

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BonsaiMon

I hate to ask this but I feel I must.. you have this tree outside..right ?..also on the watering ting .. check out the ***FAQ***, it is well worth the reading.

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tom stoute

http://bonsaiinsights.spaces.live.com/