Bonsai trees, the miniature versions of large-trunked trees, are beautiful to look at and take a lot of care and attention. As with any other garden plant, it’s important to know how often to water bonsai so they don’t dry out.
How Often To Water Bonsai
Watering is an art, not a science. The frequency of watering depends on the type of plant and its growing conditions. Here are some general rules, but you should always water your bonsai accordingly to their needs:
- Plants that require little light and have long tap roots need to be watered more frequently than plants that do well in full sun or those with a shallow root system.
- In winter, when there is less rainfall, it’s best to water your bonsai once a week. In summer, you will need to increase watering to about 2-3 times a week.
How to Tell it’s Time to Water Your Bonsai
You’re watering your bonsai, and it’s thirsty. Your bonsai’s leaves are starting to turn a little yellow, and you’re not sure if that means it needs more water or less.
Don’t worry—you’re not alone in this confusing situation. Here are some tips for knowing when your bonsai needs water:
Check the color of your bonsai leaves. If they’re bright green and healthy-looking, then your plant is probably just fine. But if they start to turn yellow at all, that means it’s time to give them some water!
Feel the soil where you plan on planting your bonsai tree. If it feels moist, then that’s a good sign: your plant doesn’t need any more water right now. If it feels dry or powdery, however, give your plant a little drink of water before planting it back into the dirt!
Look at how much sunlight your plant gets every day. If your plant gets shaded by other plants or trees on a regular basis, this means that its roots will be receiving less light than normal—which makes them less likely to grow properly.
How to Water Bonsai
Watering bonsai plants can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s easy to do.
1. To water your bonsai tree, first empty the tray that holds the soil so you can get to the root ball.
2. Place a pot or bucket underneath the tree and gently pour water into the soil until it’s moist. The best way to water is by applying very small amounts of water at a time – never over-watering at once because this could cause root damage as well.
3. Once you’ve watered your tree, place the tray back on top of it and allow the excess water to drain out of its drainage hole into your pot or bucket below.
How Long Can Bonsai Go Without Being Watered?
If you are away from home for an extended period of time, it is best to have someone check on your bonsai and water it as needed. This can be done by using an automatic watering system or by having someone else look after the plant until you return.
Bonsai that are indoors can go for about 10 days without water. On the other hand, bonsai located outdoors will last for about a week without water, especially if it’s hot outside.
If you are unable to water your bonsai, then you should consider the following options:
- Transplanting into a larger pot that holds more soil than before. This allows for more root space and soaks up extra moisture from water as well as rain or dew (if there is any). If possible, position this pot near an indoor window where natural light can reach them easily. Otherwise, place them in a place where the bonsai will receive indirect sunlight but not direct sunlight because the latter would damage their leaves over time due to its intensity which can burn those leaves easily if exposed too long without protection from some shade cloth material draped over the top of them while still allowing enough light through so they don’t get too stressed out trying to find something suitable nearby.
- Adding more soil around roots than what was originally used when planting them initially (adding several inches worth).
- Using fertilizers with higher nitrogen contents like urea nitrate since these types tend not only to increase growth rate but also help prevent pests like fungi spores along with any weeds growing nearby from spreading further throughout other parts inside house plants.
Signs of Excessive Bonsai Plant Watering
A sure sign of overwatering is the yellowing or browning of your bonsai plant’s leaves. If this happens, immediately reduce watering frequency and stop using fertilizer.
Another sign that you need to water your bonsai more is if you see dark spots appearing on its leaves (usually in rows). This can occur when a plant lacks adequate drainage in its container and water pools at the base of each leaf stem instead of draining away as it should—when this happens, take note: It means that excessive moisture is building up around the crown of your tree and causing rot or mold growth there.
To avoid overwatering and ensure proper care for your new indoor garden addition, always check for these two signs: Water should be draining from the bottom holes in its pot when it has been watered sufficiently; if not, wait until it does before adding more water again!
Conclusion
Bonsai plants are great to grow, but they will need water to thrive. Bonsai should not be watered too often; overwatering can cause root rot and kill your tree. They should also not be allowed to dry out completely, as this will also kill them! Therefore, it’s best to water the bonsai tree a couple of times a week during the summer and once during the winter.
