Proper Ways in Bonsai Watering

Bonsai tree is a product of patience, care, and creativity. But before you can be successful in bonsai plant propagation, you should be able to provide proper amounts of nutrients, exposure to adequate sunlight, and most of all be able to maintain a good hydration. Bonsai watering is a very important task in bonsai propagation because plants are composed of about 90 percent of water. Thus, without sufficient water supply, bonsai plants will not be able to carry out chemical and biochemical processes that are vital to their existence and growth.

Watering a bonsai is not a very difficult thing to do. But you need to have appropriate understanding about bonsai watering. Here are some ways that you can follow in watering a bonsai plant properly:

• Water your miniature tree in the morning. During the day, bright light shines without giving off too much heat. The bright light supports optimum growth of your bonsai plant. It also allows drying of the water before it reaches night.

• Do not water you miniature tree during midday. Watering bonsai plants during noontime is not recommended. Water droplets that are left on the leaves will act as lens that promotes burning of the leaves.

• Avoid watering your miniature tree in late afternoon or evening. If you water your bonsai plant during late afternoon or evening, water won't get dry. Your plant is at risk of contracting fungi.

• Provide adequate supply of water to your bonsai. Adequate supply of water does not mean that you have to water you bonsai plant on a regular basis. You should know when your bonsai plant needs water. You should examine the soil by digging up few centimeters, if the soil is dry down it is now time for you to water your bonsai plant.

• Identify the components of the soil used in your bonsai plant. You have to determine what composes the soil of your bonsai plant because soil can cause water retention or water drainage depending on the type of soil used. Soil that enhances water retention includes organic and inorganic materials because they have very small particles, vermiculite, peat moss, and clay. Soil components that are capable of increasing water drainage and reducing water retention include lava rock, turface, perlite, coarse sand, and other stable fired clay products.

• Increase water supply to the miniature tree when using fertilizers. Fertilizers provide essential nutrients for the bonsai plant to grow healthily and beautifully. They enhance the growth of bonsai plants and increase the water demands to support the growth requirements of the bonsai plant.

• Use hoses and water containers that have fine nozzle. It is important to make sure that water will go through the soil and reach the root hairs of the bonsai plant. Using water hose and water containers that have fine nozzle is highly recommended. Fine nozzle will allow proper distribution of water without disrupting the soil or washing out the soil from its container.

• Allow some time for the plant to get dry. It is healthy for the bonsai plant to experience dryness for some time. During this time, root hairs can grasp fresh air which is essential for their growth. But do not allow letting it dry for longer periods because this can cause withering and dehydration to the bonsai plant.