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The right water supply is crucial for bonsai to thrive. Here you can find out what you should consider when watering bonsai.
Due to the pot culture there is hardly any room for mistakes when caring for a bonsai. Casting in particular can quickly become a source of error here. Because the limited shell volume and the rather permeable bonsai soil make frequent watering necessary - and too frequent watering a problem. How often watering ultimately has to be done depends on several factors, which we would like to present to you below.
Like any plant, the bonsai needs water to survive. Due to the isolated culture form of the bonsai in a bowl, meticulous attention must be paid to the need-based water supply. This is even more difficult with bonsai than with most other potted plants, because the pots usually offer very little substrate to store water. In addition, bonsai soils consist largely of inorganic materials and are difficult to store water anyway. Bonsai have to be watered at relatively short intervals. But not only the watering distances and the watering method are decisive - the choice of a suitable culture pot and a suitable bonsai soil is also essential. We clarify all questions about watering bonsai.
"Tip: Enlarging the bonsai pot is unfortunately not an option that could solve the watering problem. Because enlarging the root space would lead to strong growth, which is not typical for bonsai. Substrates that store water too well are also not a good idea: They lead to insufficient root aeration and thus quickly to a lack of oxygen in the roots and root diseases.
When should you water your bonsai?
For bonsai, the watering rhythm should be adapted to the individual plant. If you water without considering the bonsai, you run the risk of waterlogging or the substrate drying out completely with the pot culture. However, neither should ever happen. Therefore, you should water your bonsai as soon as the substrate has dried on the surface. With conifers and succulents, the substrate can also do somethingbe drier. You can easily recognize the drying off by the lightening of the substrate or by simply touching it. It is best to check your bonsai substrate daily. Because especially in summer it can happen that you have to reach for the watering can several times a day. On hot days, only water in the morning or evening hours. Even in winter you should always keep the substrate moist. Here, however, watering intervals are much longer due to the reduced water consumption of the bonsai. Bonsai that overwinter in the garden are only watered on frost-free days. When a bonsai has to be watered depends on the drought tolerance of the species, the substrate and the climate.
Summary: when to water bonsai?
- Water as soon as the substrate has dried on the surface (check daily!)
- Conifers and succulents are more drought resistant than deciduous bonsai
- Keep substrate moist even in winter
Tip: High-quality bonsai soil is airy and still stores and distributes the irrigation water effectively. Swellable clay minerals, for example, are responsible for this, which also absorb nutrients and release them as needed.
How" often and how much do you have to water bonsai?
There is no fixed period for the watering interval. Rather, the time until the next watering of your bonsai depends on a whole range of factors:
- Water requirement of the respective plant species: In general: Coniferous trees are watered rather little. Depending on the substrate, let it dry as much as possible.
- Growth rate and age of the plant: The faster your bonsai grows, the higher the water consumption. Older bonsai grow much more slowly than younger plants and therefore need less water.
- Season and Temperature: In summer the water requirement is higher than in winter due to evaporation from sunshine and shoot growth. Here the plants rest and are therefore watered less. The following applies: the warmer the bonsai is in winter, the more water it needs in the dark season. Indoor bonsai that are kept in heated apartments therefore need regular watering, even in winter.
- Water storage properties of bonsai soil: The higher the proportion of organic substrate, the higher the water storage capacity. This also increases the watering intervals.
- Size of Plant: A large bonsai has compared to asmall bonsai more biomass, which evaporates water. As a result, the basic water requirement is also higher.
- Location: The sunnier your bonsai is, the more irrigation water the tree loses through evaporation. Evaporation is highest on a sunny window seat.
- Surface of the planting tray: The surface of the planting tray also affects evaporation. The larger this is, the more water evaporates and it has to be watered more often.
It is best not only to pay attention to the environment and the substrate of your bonsai. Also, learn about the specific water needs of your bonsai species to better plan your waterings.
How to water a bonsai correctly?
To water your bonsai properly, you must completely soak the substrate. Proceed as follows when watering your bonsai:
- Always use rainwater or soft tap water at room temperature
- Water with a watering can until the water runs out of the bottom of the bowl
- Repeat after a few minutes
Hard tap water should be avoided to avoid deposits on the roots and the vessel and an increase in pH. Alternatively, you can use the immersion method for smaller bonsai. To do this, immerse the bowl in a container of water for a few minutes until no more bubbles rise to the surface of the water. During this time, the substrate can absorb water well. Then drain the excess water.
Tip: For bonsai soil with a high clay content, you should always use the immersion method.
So that you can water your bonsai properly, your bonsai pot absolutely needs a drainage hole. Otherwise the water cannot run off and waterlogging forms. If waterlogging occurs, your bonsai will react with brown leaves that will be shed sooner or later and dead branches. You can find more reasons for leaf shedding in bonsai here. With bonsai species that come from tropical areas and are used to a humid climate, you should regularly use the water sprayer. How to increase humidity. In winter, this is particularly important for indoor bonsai to compensate for the dry heating air.
Summary: watering bonsai how often and how much?
- How often you need to water depends on many factors, so keep an eye on your bonsai
- Water soaking with soft tap water or rainwater
- Use immersion method for clayey substrates
- Spray regularly for bonsai that need high humidity
- Always use a bowl with a drainage hole to avoid waterlogging
Bonsai need not only water but also nutrients to grow properly. You can read everything about the correct fertilizing of bonsai here.
Many thanks to Floragard for the support!