Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques and Precautions for Bonsai Care

  The most important thing in growing bonsai is to master the wet-dry balance well. Generally, the principle is “do not water until dry, and when you water, water thoroughly.” In spring and autumn, water about once every three to four days; in summer, once a day; in winter, once a week or even longer, depending on the amount of water evaporation. The best time to water is usually around eight or nine in the morning. For bonsai placed outdoors, pay attention to promptly clearing standing water during the rainy season to prevent root asphyxiation and death caused by lack of oxygen.

  All plants need photosynthesis, so sunlight is absolutely necessary. In spring, summer, and autumn, bonsai must be placed in a spot with ample sunlight. Bonsai kept indoors must be set out in the sun once every three days. Southern green plants sold on the market that are not defined as bonsai do not need this. In winter, indoor placement must have sufficient diffused light to maintain normal photosynthesis in the plant.

  Generally, the suitable environmental temperature for bonsai is 20°C to 35°C. The timing for moving bonsai into a greenhouse must be handled well. In autumn, they can be moved indoors about ten days after Frost's Descent. Letting the plants endure one or two light frosts before moving them indoors is beneficial for sprouting and blooming the following year. In spring, move them outdoors around Grain Rain. Moving them out too early will cause spring frost damage due to the obvious alternation of cold and warm. Cypress bonsai and winter jasmine bonsai are generally not afraid of freezing.

  Bonsai bought and brought home have already been shaped. After a period of growth, the spreading branches and leaves will change the original shape. At this time, the branches and leaves need to be pruned to maintain the bonsai's form. The extent of pruning generally will not affect the plant's survival, so you can freely apply your understanding and creativity regarding bonsai shaping. When pruning, to avoid cutting into broken leaves and bare branches, the cut should be made at the leaf axil.

  Although bonsai are beautiful, they are difficult to grow. During the bonsai care process, be sure to pay attention to the following five taboos to avoid causing unnecessary harm to your bonsai.

  1. Avoid drought

  Watering when you think of it and not watering when you do not, sometimes leaving the plant unattended for several days in a row, and only quickly adding water once the leaves are found wilted, after which the leaf surface returns to normal - this is a response of the trunk to adapt to the environment. But if this continues over the long term, excessively strong transpiration will eventually make the trunk seriously “ill” and difficult to cure, leading to death by dehydration.

  2. Avoid waterlogging

  When the environmental temperature exceeds 28°C, shade protection should be provided for the bonsai. Otherwise, the amount of water the trunk obtains from the soil will be far less than the amount of water lost through transpiration. In mild cases, the leaf edges will be scorched and withered; in severe cases, the trunk will be severely damaged by sunscald and die.

  3. Avoid sudden shading

  Usually, to avoid high-temperature damage, when the environmental temperature exceeds the maximum temperature the trunk can tolerate, the bonsai should be moved to a relatively low-temperature area with weaker light to benefit the trunk's growth. However, if it is suddenly moved indoors or into a low-temperature area without light, within a few days the leaves will naturally fall off, and the trunk will also rapidly shrivel and die.

  4. Avoid midday bathing

  In the midday heat of summer, do not spray water on the trunk in the sun or pour water into the pot. This kind of “pampering” method will cause the bonsai's temperature to suddenly drop below the environmental temperature and harm the trunk.

  5. Avoid fertilizing

  In the high heat of midsummer, the leaf surface loses water relatively quickly. Fertilizing at this time can make the solute concentration in the trunk's cells lower than that of the external environment, causing water in the plant cells to flow back into the soil, and the trunk dies from dehydration due to fertilizer damage.