How to fertilize a Bonsai tree: We can fertilize a bonsai tree by applying the fertilizer directly to the plant or using a compost basket for fertilizing your bonsai tree.
You will learn the best fertilizer for bonsai, when to fertilize, and when not to fertilize a tree. You are also learning how to make a fertilizer by yourself.
Also, learn how to fertilize a Bonsai tree without an expert: This is a DIY process for bonsai.
How to fertilize a bonsai tree is a way to keep taking care of a bonsai tree. Read how to take care of a bonsai tree.
Why Should I Fertilize A Bonsai Tree?
How to fertilize a Bonsai tree: Bonsais are, first and foremost, potted plants. They need to be fertilized regularly for several reasons:
The volume of land available is minimal compared to what they could have in the middle of nature.
The nutrients they need are therefore available in small quantities.
In a bonsai tree, the natural cycles are interrupted. Leaves that fall to the ground can’t returned to the soil, where detritivorous animals such as earthworms are absent.
The elements necessary for the tree’s life cannot return to the soil for recycling.
Draining mixtures used as substrates, such as akadama (neutral clay soil) or pozzolan (crushed volcanic rock), are generally poor in nutrients and poorly retain fertilizer.
The primary method of watering bonsai is drench: wait until the soil is barely dry and then saturate thoroughly until the water runs out of the pot.
The fertilizing elements in the substrate are then leached; they are eliminated with the excess water. Additional support is therefore necessary.
Faced with this nutrient deficit, bonsai owners must provide their trees with additional fertilization.
It is not necessary to bring massive doses of fertilizer to a bonsai. Still, a regular contribution is essential so that the tree always has the elements beneficial for its growth.
What Are The Types Of Fertilizer To Use For Bonsai Tree
How to fertilize a Bonsai tree: The type of fertilizer to use can vary depending on the species.
Generally, we fertilize perennial bonsai trees for more extended periods than deciduous ones.
There are two different types of fertilizers: liquid fertilizer and solid fertilizer.
1. The liquid fertilizer Is usually diluted in the irrigation water or applied with a diffuser, vaporizing the bonsai’s aerial zone (leaves).
Advantages Of Liquid Fertilizer For Bonsai Tree
One of its advantages lies in its speed of action if we use it to irrigate the substrate since it goes directly to the roots that absorb it almost immediately.
It is also interesting since it is clean and does not produce unpleasant odors.
If you use liquid fertilizer diluted in the water, you will water your bonsai; you can place a tray under the trees to collect the excess.
The water will contain fertilizer and can be reused, for example, for the plants in your garden. Also, learn how to water a bonsai tree.
2. Solid organic fertilizer: usually comes in pellets, grains, or another form and is placed on the bonsai substrate.
Advantages of Solid Bonsai Fertilizer:
It will gradually decompose and release nutrients to feed the bonsai roots during the watering. That is why they are called slow-release fertilizers.
If you do not have experience, it is recommended that you choose slow-release solid fertilizer since liquid fertilizer, if poured in excess, can be harmful to our tree since it can burn the roots.
Solid bonsai fertilizer, being more natural and released little by little, makes our bonsai collect what it needs, making it safer for beginners. Moreover, it is usually the most used by hobbyists in general.
What Makes A Good Fertilizer For Bonsai Tree
the Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK.) Makes up a good fertilizer for the bonsai tree and any other tree.
In short, nitrogen (N) is part of proteins, phytohormones, and chlorophyll. It is everywhere and allows the growth of the plant.
It gives them the necessary knowledge to create new structures and grow strongly.
Phosphorus (P) is equally essential and equally omnipresent in the chemical reactions carried out in the plant.
It is a component of the chromosomes and DNA of plants. Therefore, it is important for the balance of growth since the plant needs it to generate new cells.
Without this element, the plant would not grow balanced and could produce few small leaves and poor rooting.
It affects the aerial part of the plant to a greater extent. Still, the roots would also be affected in case of deficiency.
Like the previous two, potassium (K) is essential in developing a plant, among other things.
It regulates the opening and closing of the stomata of the leaves (holes through which the plant’s gas exchange occurs. ), allowing the absorption of CO2 for photosynthesis.
It is also responsible for balancing the water contained in the plant (osmoregulation). It increases resistance to water and thermal stress.
What Does All This Boil Down To?
It is usually paid differently depending on the time of year and the state of the tree.
It must be considered that the values usually indicated on fertilizers regarding NPK content are relative.
For example, a 3-2-1 ratio could be a fertilizer with 20% nitrogen, 12% phosphorus, and 6% potassium.
The famous Japanese fertilizer Biogold has values of 5.5/6.5/3.5.
· A fertilizer with higher nitrogen content is used in a tree in the growth and development phase of its trunk and branches since it needs to grow strong and fast.
· In an already established tree and with a very controlled design, the contribution of all nutrients is reduced to avoid continuous pinching since strong growth is not sought.
· During the times in which the tree naturally reduces its growth, in winter and in the middle of summer (July and August), the fertilizer is also reduced since they are not absorbed at the same rate by the roots; this could produce an excess of these nutrients in the substrate also causing problems.
The excess of these nutrients is very negative since it can form salts that clog the roots, ultimately causing symptoms similar to those lacking nutrients.
Since the plant stops absorbing them correctly, this happens more easily with liquid chemical fertilizers, especially with potted plants.
That is why most bonsai fans avoid this type of fertilizer, chemical ones.
Burned edges of the leaves usually indicate a problem with the fertilizer.
If it is an excess or a deficiency, you must know by thinking about how you have been paying.
The nitrogen supply is stopped at the end of summer, in October or November (depending on the area).
But a fertilizer based on phosphorus and potassium is maintained, managing, on the one hand, to keep the tree’s growth under control.
By means of potassium, it prepares the tree for low winter temperatures.
How To Choose The Best Fertilizer For A Bonsai Tree
Once you have decided what type of fertilizer to use (liquid or solid), you should focus on its NPK.
You will have to use the one with specific values depending on what you want to achieve.
The value is supplied to us by the subscription provider with an informative label where the initials NPK will appear and to its correct three numbers usually separated by “:.”
For example, NPK: 8:6:6. Each number will mark that macronutrient’s proportion. In the case of the example, it would be 8 $d of phosphorus and 6 of Potassium.
For outdoor Bonsai, a high Nitrogen content fertilizer like NPK 10:6:6 is preferable.
In spring, I recommend you use a balanced fertilizer like NPK 6:6:6 is more optimal for summertime,
In autumn, Make use of a low-nitrogen fertilizer like NPK 3:6:6
Note: Experts increasingly recommend applying a balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season and gradually lowering the quantity used near the conclusion of the growing season.
Fertilizer With High Nitrogen (N):
It is used primarily in spring to promote the growth of the leaves, elongation of the stems, and the creation of buds. For example: NPK: 12:6:6
Fertilizer With High Phosphorus (P):
As I have already said in this article, this chemical element favors root growth, so using a fertilizer high in this macronutrient is ideal if we have transplanted our bonsai to help root growth and strengthen its defenses.
Fertilizer With High Potassium (K):
Suppose the specimen is a flower and fruit bonsai. In that case, we have to use a fertilizer high in this component since it will contribute to flowering and the creation of fruits.
It does not mean that if our bonsai is not flowery, we should not supply Potassium since this component is also necessary for other processes, so it should not be missing.
How To Fertilize A Bonsai Tree Step By Step
How to fertilize a Bonsai tree step by step: Once you have chosen the right fertilizer
Review the manufacturer’s instructions for its correct use in terms of quantities supplied, repetitions, and other details.
Contrast it with the personal experiences of other fans in forums and social networks, or if you prefer, ask the seller of your plant, who can surely give you clues.
A piece of advice: in the fertilizing period, it is preferable to fertilize in small amounts and frequently than a lot and space.
If you use solid compost, you can place it directly on the substrate or use compost baskets.
We can replace Compost baskets with tea bags or even small pieces of cut-up PVC pipe or whatever you can think of.
It is how to fertilize a Bonsai tree correctly.
Also, read how to wire a bonsai tree.
How Do I Use Liquid Bonsai Fertilizers?
In the case of liquid fertilizers, you will find instructions on the label of the product you have chosen.
When we fertilize with slow-release solid fertilizers, pellets, balls, cubes, etc., it is usually distributed around the pot’s contour, again following each product’s quantities.
With each irrigation, the compound dissolves, adding its content to the substrate. The contribution is limited but continuous.
The fertilizer in balls or pellets is usually protected from birds with baskets that allow it to be kept located to eliminate it when necessary.
Avoid placing the fertilizer near the trunk and tend to place it near the pot’s walls to prevent the roots from finding food too close and limiting their growth.
Compost in larger pieces is usually placed semi-buried to maintain humidity with the substrate.
If you have an area of the root bread where you want to stimulate its growth, you can try placing them there.When removing the residual fertilizer at the end of summer, you will often see that the baskets have filled with capillaries.
When Should You Fertilize Bonsai Tree
How to fertilize a Bonsai tree: There are two marked times to fertilize your bonsai since they are the growth seasons of the trees: spring and autumn.
But age bonsai trees require less fertilizer depending on each species and age.
But even in those times, there are differences; for example, if our tree is in the fattening and growth phase, such as a pre-bonsai or young bonsai, we will fertilize at the beginning of spring.
But if it is an already developed and older tree, we do not want it to lengthen the internodes too much.
We will fertilize when spring is more advanced, and the buds have opened, revealing the leaves.
Some species, such as elms, are fertilized yearly to promote fine branching.
Some even fertilize conifers and perennial trees lightly throughout the year and fertilize more in times of more excellent bonsai activity.
For these and other reasons, I recommend looking at the tabs by species, where you can find more specific information about the variety of your bonsai. It can serve as a clue to do it properly.
The solid fertilizer will degrade over time, and a mass will remain in the upper layer of the substrate.
That paste is the excipients and inactive substances used to give consistency to the fertilizer, so you must remove it from the substrate.
They do not contribute anything to your bonsai and may end up harming the aeration of your substrate.
Read more: How to protect bonsai from pests and diseases[Link]
When Should I Not Fertilize My Bonsai Tree?
We should not fertilize our bonsai tree bonsai if the leaves are falling off, and we should not fertilize if we have just transplanted it.
Read how to transplant a Bonsai tree; read now.
It is advisable to wait at least one month before starting any subscription. Nor will we fertilize our bonsai tree if it is weak or sick.
In times of extreme heat, it is not a good time to fertilize either. However, suppose we have placed the compost previously.
In that case, removing it will not be necessary unless you notice it is degraded.
If the leaves of your bonsai tree are falling off, it might be a sign of over-fertilization.
Read how to revive a bonsai tree; read now.
How To Fertilize Bonsai General Rules
How to fertilize a Bonsai tree: Here are a few simple rules:
1] Fertilize Little but often. Fertilize your bonsai in small amounts regularly. If you use chemical fertilizers, divide the doses indicated on the packaging by two or four.
A heavy dose of fertilizer will not make your tree grow faster or better, but it can burn its roots.
2] Never fertilize on dry land. It would be best if you fertilized a bonsai that you have watered. Otherwise, there is a risk of burning the rootlets.
3] Never fertilize a sick, weak tree or after repotting. Fertilizer stimulates a healthy plant but can kill an ill or weakened tree-
By Pest attack, disease, or a recent traumatic operation, such as repotting or severe pruning.
How Do You Make Oganic Fertilizer For Bonsai Trees At Home
When manufacturing an organic fertilizer for our bonsai plants, we will need raw materials from our Herbivorous animals or farm animals.
We advise you to use chicken manure on hand or some other manure from herbivores such as sheep, goats, cows, or horses, as they are one of the most nutrient-rich fertilizers.
If we are lucky enough to have one of these herbivorous animals at home or live near a farm, we can collect some manure and let it dry in a dry area.
After a few months or so, our manure will be dry to make balls with a bit of straw or other organic material or pellets.
When we have it, we can store it in bags and use it as fertilizer for our bonsai in small quantities and when it is the optimal season.
Making our organic bonsai fertilizer is very easy as we do not need to buy anything. We all depend on the waste product of our farm animals.
Conclusion
Every bonsai owner must learn how to fertilize a Bonsai tree as it is one of the basic techniques needed for bonsai trees.
Also, read the basic techniques for bonsai tree cultivation. Read now.
How to fertilize bonsai: There is a time for bonsai fertilization, as young bonsai trees require more fertilization than adult bonsai trees, depending on the species.
Always take care of your bonsai tree properly. Read the other ways to take care of a bonsai tree click here.
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