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Step 1
Proper Soil Conditions
Bonsai Soil is not your typical plant soil. The soil must be loose and large aggregate. This is to allow for proper drainage. Too much water contained in the soil can cause the Bonsai tree to become water-logged which can lead to the death of the tree. -
Step 2
Proper Fertilization
Because the soil needs to be loose and porous any fertilizer that is used to quickly washes away. This may cause a lack of nutrients in the soil and lead to poor health for your bonsai. It is important to fertilize often. How often? That depends on the type of bonsai tree you have. Your local nursery may be of some help. -
Step 3
Proper Watering
It is thought that approximately 80% of bonsai failures are do to improper watering techniques. It is not a difficult thing to understand, but it is different than a typical plant someone may grow.
Because the soil is so porous to allow for proper draining and to reduce the possibility of water-log, any water applied to the bonsai quickly drains out the bottom of the bonsai pot. Therefore it is necessary to water your bonsai at least once a day. If it is hot out or windy you may have to water your outdoor bonsai twice a day. -
Step 4
Discerning If You Have An Indoor or Outdoor Bonsai
One other concern to keeping a healthy bonsai tree is to discern whether your tree is an indoor or outdoor species. Many people assume that their bonsai is an indoor plant because of it's size, where they bought it or just because they want it to be. But it is important to remember that bonsai trees are trees that have evolved to survive their particular climate and any big change to that climate can affect you bonsai tree in a negative manner.
A good rule of thumb is to determine what climate zone the tree came from. If it came from a climate zone similar to the one you live in (most likely a temperate climate zone) than the bonsai will thrive outdoors but do poorly indoors. If the bonsai is from a tropical climate zone it will most likely do better indoors where their is consistent temperatures and humidity. -
Step 5
To learn more about Bonsai Download our Free Ebook: "Bonsai: A Beginner's Guide" at http://www.howtobonsai.org/free_ebook.htm
