How to Fertilize Bonsai Trees

Bonsai trees, like anything else that grows in the soil, must have nutrients added because watering washes them away. Fertilizer must be continually replenished if the tree is to thrive. Your Bonsai will thrive if you follow a few simple steps when you fertilize.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A good fertilizer with nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous.
• A watering can.
• A measuring cup.

1. Most Bonsai enthusiasts use a pellet form of fertilizer called "Osmocote." This slowly breaks down into the soil and can fertilize your trees for weeks.

2. You should feed your Bonsai from early spring to late autumn.

3. During the autumn months, you should not feed the tree with nitrogen. There are fertilizers that are sold with no nitrogen, which usually can only be found in nurseries that also specialize in Bonsai. Fertilizing without nitrogen will harden the tree and make it ready for winter.

Tips & Warnings

• Add the correct amount of fertilizer. Read the instructions on the package. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots system.
• Be sure not to add nitrogen in autumn. If you cannot find a fertilizer without nitrogen, it is better to not fertilize the tree at all.
• Don't waste fertilizer by wetting the soil so much that it runs out of the drain holes. This may lead to over fertilizing.

Resources

• Visit the Basics for Bonsai website.
• Explore the American Bonsai Association website.

[SunflowerOcity]

on 11/30/2007 Well done! I love Bonsai and recomend Eves Garden: http://www.evesgardengifts.com/
I enjoyed your article and rated it with five stars! Check out my fertilizer related articles at the following links.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2128658_use-foliar-fertilizers.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2109524_understand-fertilizer.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2109523_grow-great-plants-fish-fertilizer.html
Chris