It is always good to have a hobby; something to return to after a stressful day at the office, or simply to relax with in the evenings. Increasingly popular in this regard is with bonsai trees. Stunning looking, they are also quite simple to look after, just requiring a little common sense and attention.
No matter which of the plethora of bonsai trees is your favorite; be it an Elm, Oak, Palm or Pine, the basics of care are much the same. Indeed, looked after well, there is no reason why they cannot well outlast you; living for centuries!
First of all, it is important to get the positioning right. As with most other household plants, they prefer warmer locations with good spells of natural light. However, similar to household plants again, being in direct sunlight for extended periods will cause burning to the foliage.
The single most important thing is to get the watering right. They should never be allowed to dry out completely, so checking on a regular basis is always good. The soil they are in should be moist to the touch, but not sodden. Once a day is generally good enough, though in hotter periods it won't hurt to check a little more often.
Though regular checking is always good, sticking to regular schedule is never a good idea. Ambient temperatures and conditions change, and these dictate the uptake of water. As well as performing the soil check, simply lifting the tree and ascertaining its weight is a good indication as to whether watering is needed.
Whilst this is a simple check to perform, the positing of the bonsai trees may not make this easy of course. If this is the case, then investing in a water meter is a great solution. These sit in the soil and measure the water content, for a quick check. They will indicate if water is needed, and also let you know when an appropriate level has been reached. Many enthusiasts often use these to help family and friends to look after their trees if on vacation and so on.
As important as correct watering is, there are other concerns to be mindful of. One of the most important in this regard is the type of soil used. Potting soil and top soils used in regular household plants is not suitable for the majority of bonsai trees. Specially formulated bonsai soil is lighter, and allows for far superior draining and moisture retention; essential for a healthy root system.
As important as the right soil is the right fertilizer. In this regard though, standard products used for general plants is usually fine. When buying whichever is your preferred choice however, it is necessary to ensure that potash, phosphorous and nitrogen are included in the mix.
Bonsai trees make for wonderful displays of course; critical to this is in the pruning however. Far more than simply achieving a wonderful shape and structure however, this is also a vital component to the overall health, so should be done as regularly as possible.
Doc Number: 38573026583
