Summer fertilizing

There are a number of good reasons to fertilize bonsai in summer:

• The tree is young and the goal is to thicken the trunk
• The tree requires nutrition to recover from – or prepare for – defoliation and decandling
• The growing season is short and waiting until fall to fertilize is too late

As I have a number of trees in development, I typically fertilize throughout the growing season. I also fertilize pines about 1-2 months after decandling.

This year I’m trying out Biogold in addition to my go-to choices of cottonseed meal, fish emulsion, and Omakase pellets. I like using different fertilizers throughout the year and seeing how different species respond to different fertilizers. Am looking forward to seeing how Biogold compares with the other organic options in my garden.

I’m using the fertilizer with baskets to see whether I have a preference for the reusable plastic containers or for tea bags. I already prefer the baskets on sloped surfaces as some styles come with spikes that hold the baskets in place.

Fertilizer basket with lid and spike

Fertilizer holder

On flat surfaces I’m using fertilizer covers that keep the triangle-shaped pellets together.

Fertilizer cover

I’m hoping that fertilizing my pines now will help lengthen the needles sooner rather than later as I’d like a few to look good for early fall exhibits.

Summer pine foliage

I can’t wait to see how the pines are looking next month!

Related Posts

Options for applying bonsai fertilizer

How to fertilize bonsai