Keep your bonsai healthy
From BonsaiWIKI
One of the charms of a bonsai is the illusion of a large tree growing in a small pot. This is a delicate balance, however, and the following tips are provided to help you maintain your tree's health.
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Location
With very few exceptions, bonsai are outdoor trees. Your new tree may be kept inside for a few days at a time, but it needs light and air to grow properly. Situate your tree outdoors in partial shade at first and keep it away from hot concrete or stuco walls and sheltered from drying winds. The small containers frequently used to grow inexpensive bonsai are prone to rapid drying. Placing the tree in a humidity tray, elevated on a layer of marbles or stones will help provide an environment conducive to growing.
Balance Bonsai Size with the Container:
The top growth of the tree must be kept in balance with container size and the ability of the root system to absorb water and nutrients.
Watering
Check the tree daily for moisture. You may stick a fingertip into the soil to check for moisture, or keep a length of chopstick immersed in the soil at all times. Withdraw it periodically to test for moisture. Information on watering can be found in a separate article.
Repotting
As your tree continues to grow, the pot will eventually fill with roots and the soil will be compacted by repeated watering. It will become a struggle for the tree to draw moisture from the soil, and it will be difficult for you to saturate the rootball with water. Your bonsai will need occasional repotting every 1-2 years in the correct season. Information on repotting can be found in a separate article. You may wish to select an oversize container (overpotting) for your bonsai until you have become accustomed to its care.
Watch for Changes
Keep a vigilant eye for changes in your bonsai's appearance. Some seasonal change in growth rate and color can be expected. Deciduous trees will shed leaves in fall and push new leaves in spring. It's not unusual to become attuned to seasonal changes through watching your bonsai before you even notice them in the natural environment. Keep an eye out for pest infestations.
