Vacation watering

From BonsaiWIKI

Taking an extended vacation in summertime can be stressful on the bonsai grower and his collection. Taking a few steps can help make it easy on everyone.

1. Consider installing an autmated watering system. Drip irrigation operated by a timer is one way to help insure that your trees are watered while you're away. Remember, even the best systems can fail, so

2. Have someone check in on your trees periodically to make sure that things are operating smoothly. Your designee should also check to make sure that no plants have been disrupted by animals. Be sure to point out to your assistant that the plants need to be watered very thoroughly.

3. Group plants of similar water needs close together. This makes watering them easier, and you're less likely to overlook one.

4. Clear the paths of obstructions and weeds to make it easier to navigate and find the trees. Trim any overhanging branches. Anything you can do to reduce water demand on your trees will help. Partial pruning or placement in part shade will be helpful in reducing water demand, particularly in variable climates.

5. Add extra hoses / sprayers if possible to make it more convenient for the person doing the watering.

6. Identify hard-to-see plants with flourescent colored tape or the flags used to lay out irrigation lines. You can typically find ten of these for a dollar, and they come in various colors. Cheap insurance.

7. Instruct your assistant to be sure to let the hoses water run for a minute or two until the superheated water is cleared from the lines so that your trees aren't par boiled.

8. Also demonstrate how to thorougly water a bonsai, front and back, to ensure that the tree's rootball is saturated. It's best to water and then repeat after a few minutes to insure that the water has made its way through.

A little time spent in preparation and planning will help you to relax and enjoy your vacation, knowing you'll be returning to a healthy bonsai collection.