When I started growing bonsai, fertilizing was simple. I sprinkled cottonseed meal on the surface of the soil and watered with fish emulsion every few weeks. Applying fish emulsion (circa 2010) This approach worked well for years, up until rodents began stealing the fertilizer and digging up the soil. I needed to make a change. […]
Fertilizer
Tips for late summer
When everything goes well, there isn’t a lot of bonsai work this time of year. Deciduous trees are recovering from their last pruning of the season, decandled pines are filling in, and tropical bonsai are getting their final cutback of the season. That said, the next month is pivotal for improving and maintaining tree health. […]
When ignorance was bliss – and good for my bonsai too
There has been a lot of enthusiasm lately for the scientific side of bonsai. I’ve been a part of this, sharing stories, for example, of testing and acidifying water in an attempt to green up my garden. I started pursuing the topic when I noticed how much harder it had become to keep my pines […]
Tips for applying liquid fertilizer
Liquid fertilizer is a great way to provide nutrition for your bonsai. I’ve been using fish-based fertilizers for years and although it’s smelly, it’s effective and offers control when I want to limit how much fertilizer each tree gets. Fish emulsion While it’s easy to dilute concentrated fertilizer and apply it to your bonsai, there […]
The effect of fertilizer on water pH
A hidden benefit of many fertilizers is their ability to lower the pH of the water. Had I kept this in mind this past spring, my trees would be a lot greener today. Looking back on my fertilizing habits, I shouldn’t have been surprised that my pines remained yellow despite repeated fertilizer applications. I changed […]