It is a myth that bonsai are kept small by being starved. When bonsai are actively growing, they require fertilizing, not so much to stimulate new growth but to maintain health. Nutrients are used up and washed out of the soil during watering. Like soil preparation, fertilizing is a subject that can become very complicated, but again that is not necessary.
The three major ingredients in fertilizer – nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium – provide for the most important needs of trees. These ingredients are indicated by three numbers that appear on a package of fertilizer. The first number indicates the amount of nitrogen, the middle number indicates the amount of phosphorous, and the last number indicates the amount of potassium. If fertilizer is called all purpose, it also contains small amounts of the trace elements.
Nitrogen promotes healthy green growth. Phosphorous is important for the development of inner structure, and also promotes heavy flowering and fruit production. Potassium seems to develop disease-resistant plants. The trace elements, which vary somewhat according to the brand of fertilizer, provide nutrients for plant health and growth.
A mixture of 20-20-20, i.e., all three numbers is the same, is considered nitrogen feeding, and is good for all green growth. A mixture of 15-30-15, or phosphorous feeding, is used on trees like Serissa Foetida that flower all year. If flowers occur once a year, as with azalea, both formulas should be used, one to nourish green growth and the other when the plant is setting flower buds.
There are many fertilizers to choose from, and many people believe that an occasional change of diet is a good idea. The most convenient fertilizers to use are water-soluble and are applied as the soil is watered. Never fertilize the plant when the soil is dry.
Fertilizers prepared for regular-size plants are too strong for bonsai, cut the amount given to bonsai by half. Feed every two weeks when the trees are growing actively. At the end of august you should begin slowing down the fertilizing in climates cold enough to require special winter storage for plants.
Do not feed sick trees. Feeding is for trees in active, healthy growth. Trees grown indoors may be fertilized when new growth is visible.
Outdoor trees should be fed every two weeks, as the fertilizer is leached out of the pot by daily watering. Indoors trees do not require as much feeding. Since they are usually watered with a watering can or with a sink sprayer, the fertilizer is not leached out as rapidly.
Ingredients of Fertilizer
The three major ingredients in fertilizer – nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium – provide for the most important needs of trees. These ingredients are indicated by three numbers that appear on a package of fertilizer. The first number indicates the amount of nitrogen, the middle number indicates the amount of phosphorous, and the last number indicates the amount of potassium. If fertilizer is called all purpose, it also contains small amounts of the trace elements.
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| Fertilizer for Bonsai |
What is a Good Mixture of Fertilizer
A mixture of 20-20-20, i.e., all three numbers is the same, is considered nitrogen feeding, and is good for all green growth. A mixture of 15-30-15, or phosphorous feeding, is used on trees like Serissa Foetida that flower all year. If flowers occur once a year, as with azalea, both formulas should be used, one to nourish green growth and the other when the plant is setting flower buds.
There are many fertilizers to choose from, and many people believe that an occasional change of diet is a good idea. The most convenient fertilizers to use are water-soluble and are applied as the soil is watered. Never fertilize the plant when the soil is dry.
Fertilizers prepared for regular-size plants are too strong for bonsai, cut the amount given to bonsai by half. Feed every two weeks when the trees are growing actively. At the end of august you should begin slowing down the fertilizing in climates cold enough to require special winter storage for plants.
Do not feed sick trees. Feeding is for trees in active, healthy growth. Trees grown indoors may be fertilized when new growth is visible.
Outdoor trees should be fed every two weeks, as the fertilizer is leached out of the pot by daily watering. Indoors trees do not require as much feeding. Since they are usually watered with a watering can or with a sink sprayer, the fertilizer is not leached out as rapidly.
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