Bansai trees

[glenbar]

Have been given a Japanese Pepper tree and unless it is watered every day the branches droop. I know nothing about these plants so please can someone give me any advice? I cant understand how they can survive in such shallow soil which would explain the need for water, but surely they dont need to be soaked every day. I forgot to mention the fact that the branches are becoming very leggy. Would be grateful for any advice. Thank you

[Cheatseeker!]

Hi there,

I have a bonsai tree myself and they are very complex things!

I joined a group on Yahoo! Groups... if you go onto Yahoo! Groups and tye in Bonsai Tree... it should bring you up a list of groups that are full of members who will offer advice and help on pruning, repotting, root trimming, feeding and all that stuff..

Unlike a normal plant Bonsai need the roots trimming in order to keep them a certain size and so there is heaps to learn about the seasons and other fun stuff.

Enjoy your trees!

[Clanad]

Having cultured various Bonsai for some time I've found (no expert here) that the Japanese have a saying about watering Bonsai... "once for the pot, once for the soil and once for the plant". Although you could overwater a Bonsai plant, it's pretty difficult, especially if it's and indoor plant. One good technique is to submerge (gently, so as to not wash out the soil) the entire plant and container in water about once a week. Keep it there until it stops bubbling. At the very least, use a "spritzer" to give the leaves and trunk a good misting two or three times a week, maybe more in the winter.
Don't forget to fetilize... a true Bonsai using typical soil has very little in the way of nutrients. A good 10-10-10 mix works well on most of mine.
Best of luck!

[glenbar]

Thank you both very much for the advice. Will have a look at yahoo and also try the new watering technique. Will also need to get some fertiliser.