The small stature of your bonsai trees doesn't change the fact that they are still just like their full-size cousins, which means that they will still go through the changes in appearance as the seasons change. When the seasons change and your bonsai trees move from one life cycle to another, it's needs change. Because of this you will also need to change the type of care that you are giving your bonsai trees.

Spring Care

The season of spring will carry with it the first signs of growth in your bonsai plant and trees following their dormant period during winter. There is much to do in the garden in spring, and it is usually one of the busiest times of the year for bonsai gardeners.

If a bonsai plant hadn't already been re-potted and had it's roots pruned in late winter, now is the very best time to do it. It's important to do any repotting of bonsai before the first buds break.

Spring is also the best time for pruning any dead branches before they are concealed by foliage. Unless your bonsai tree is not fully formed yet, springtime is when you will need to cut back all of the new shoots.

If you are doing any training with wires you will want to do that in spring when the branches are more pliable.

If you have re-potted and pruned any of your bonsia plants you will want to be sure that you fertilize with a very diluted mixture so that you don't burn the tree's roots.

Summer Care

It is during the summer months that trees experience their maximum rates of growth. Be sure that you don't do any more root pruning or re-potting of your plants during this period of rapid growth. It won't do any harm to your bonsai plants and trees if you continue to trim back new shoots, prune, and pinch buds back all summer long. The shoots of deciduous trees, like the chinese elm bonsai, should be cut back to one or two pairs of leaves, and the buds on conifers should be carefully plucked as they begin to swell.

Now is the time to apply wire if you want to train and shape your deciduous bonsais. Remove any wires that you may have applied during the previous summer to make sure that it doesn't cut into the tree's bark and cause damage.

It is very important to check the moisture level in your potted bonsai plantrs and make certain that you never let them completely dry out. It is even more important to check the soil moisture levels when the weather is extremely hot, and you may need to water your bonsai plants at least once a day.

Summer is also the time to feed your trees with fertilizer. You will want to continue fertilizing all summer and into early fall.

Fall Care

When the number of hours of sunlight per day begins to get fewer and fewer, which signals the change of season to fall, the growth rate of your bonsai trees will slow down. Even though they are miniature trees, the leaves of most deciduous bonsai trees will change in the fall, exhibiting the same splendid colors as their larger relatives that live in the wild.

Fall is not a good time to prune deciduous trees because it will stimulate a late burst of new growth. You can, however, continue to prune your pines and junipers.

Fall is also a good time to remove any wire that has been applied during the spring and summer months to give the tree a rest during the cold winter months.

Your deciduous trees will require much less water after they have dropped their leaves in preparation for winter. You'll only need to give your bonsai plants a slight watering if the soil begins to feel dry. Conifers, like pines and junipers, will continue to need routine watering throughout the fall and winter, so it is very important to check the soil frequently for moisture content. Water them when the soil begins to feel dry about an inch below the surface.

It is a good idea to harden off the summr's growth by fertilizing your bonsai plant with a nitrogen-free fertilizer.

Winter Care

Protect all of your outdoor bonsai trees from all extreme winter weather conditions, and in particular protect coniferous trees from harsh winds. Water your conifers when they get dry. Your decisuous trees won't need much attention.

The winter should be spent by planning for next years growth, and how you will achieve the perfect shape for your living piece of art.