bonsai

[mcdonabern]

how do i look after my bonsai

[Clanad]

The term 'bonsai' simply means "plant in a tray (or) pot'... so for comprehensive advice is difficult not knowing the species of your 'plant in a tray'. Assuming it's the inveterate small fir, such as a juniper... simply keep it well watered. Watering the base of the plant isn't sufficient, however and it should be "spritzed" at least daily, more often in the winter months when the humidity is low. Once a year, I take mine (I have several) completely out of the tray and comb out the roots. I then remove about 1/4 of them randomly to maintain the small size. Replensih the soil and re-plant. Don't over fertilize and watch for mites. They will appear as pencil dot size scampering across a white sheet of paper that you hold under the branches and shake lightly. Treat as recommended by your plant store if they appear. They'll kill it inshort time otherwise...

[mcdonabern]

cheers for that i hope to keep it a long time to show the wife i,m not useless.
cheers again
mcdonabern

[woofgang]

Isn't that interesting? Mine are outdoor bonsai. Apart from when I potted them originally I never root prune and I never spritz. They get a lot of watering while they are growing and none (or very little) apart from rain when dormant. The big care thing in the uk is to be aware that the small pots they are in put then at risk of the rootball freezing and that usualluy kills the plant. In winter I either move them to a frost free greenhouse or wrap the whole thing in a couple of layers of insulating fleece. ther are loads of websites too, just google