BONSAI FALL CARE
If you see your bonsai having leaves turning colors and having leaf fall, it is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about (for the deciduous & conifer bonsai's). As the normal trees outside turn colors and have leaf fall, so do these Bonsai's. All it is, the trees are preparing for winter. So here are some precautions to take to ensure that your Bonsai survives fall and winter so that new leaves can sprout and the bonsai itself can keep growing:
WATERING: WATER ON OBSERVATION! Feel the soil to see if it is dry or moist and act accordingly to watering. Bonsai's in the fall and winter don't need as much watering as they would in spring and summer because of the lack of sun (depending on your environment).
FERTILIZING: Use fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium. This will help the tree develop, strengthen, prepare for winter.
Deciduous: stop fertilizing when the leaves fall in the fall because the tree is dormant.
Conifer: continue to fertilize a few times a month because they don't fully go dormant.
Tropical & subtropical: continue to fertilize monthly from fall to spring because they grow all year.
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PRUNING: prune your bonsai in the fall when the leaves start to fall continuously. This is when the tree is still active & will heal well.
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PESTS & DISEASES: clean the bark & roots from mineral deposits. You can use a sodium fungicide to kill anything on the tree. Weed the bonsai pots. Remove brown needles from the conifer bonsai's.
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SUN: make sure to give it as much sun exposure as possible.
CONIFER
DECIDUOUS
SUBTROPICAL
TROPICAL
CHINESE BANYAN BONSAI CARE
Can be kept outside in summer as long as temperatures are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 degrees Celsius.
Requires a lot of light, preferably sun light. Can endure low humidity and needs high humidity to develop aerial roots.
Watering: WATER ON OBSERVATION! Ficus bonsai's should be watered generously whenever the soil gets slightly dry. Prefers room temperature water, and advise daily misting.
Fertilizing: Every two weeks during the summer and every four weeks during winter if growing doesn't stop. Liquid and organic fertilizer pelets can be used as well.
Pruning: Necessary to retain trees shape. Prune back two leaves after 6 to 8 leaves have grown.
Repotting: Repot during spring, every other year using basic bonsai soil mix. Tolerates root pruning very well.
Propagation & Grafting: Cutting can be planted at anytime of year, but they have the highest success rate during mid-summer growth. Air layering will work during spring, in April through May.
Pests and Diseases: Dry air and lack of light weakens the Bonsai and often results in leaf drop.
JUNIPER BONSAI CARE
Placement: Likes a sunny place where temperatures don't rise over 50 degrees fahrenheit. Prefers high humidity by watering over foliage (the leaves).
Watering: Be careful not to overwater as the Juniper roots don't like soil wetness. Before you water, the soil should slightly dry. Misting the tree can be done regularly, especially after the tree has been repotted because of the benefits from air humidity.
Fertilizing: Use normal organic fertilizer pellets every month during growing season (spring & summer) or a liquid fertilizer week. If you like to see strong growth you can supply some higher nitrogen levels in spring.
Pruning: To develop the foliage pads, long shots that stick out of the silhouette can be pinched or cut at the base with sharp scissors throughout the growing season. DO NOT trim Juniper like a hedge because the removal of all growing tips will weaken the tree and the cut will turn the needles brown. When foliage becomes too dense they must be thinned out with sharp scissors at base.
Repotting: Once every two years using basic or slightly more draining soil mix. Very old trees Can be repotted at longer intervals. DO NOT prune aggressively. The best moment to repot is early spring.
Propagation: Can be propagated from seed in spring or from cuttings in summer. Air layering is also possible.
Pests and diseases: Hardly attracted by pests and diseases. Spider mites, scale or mildew can sometimes occur, then use a specific pesticide.
