Frequently Asked Questions About Bonsai:

I.   Q:  How hard are bonsai to care for?
Bonsai in a pot will thrive with the proper attention.
            A:  It’s fairly simple. 
First Remember your bonsai. It cannot be neglected.
It needs you for:
                           Food.
                             Water.
                                                        Appropriate location. 
 Your bonsai needs regular watering and frequent feeding.
It's a discipline (rewarded with enduring beauty.)
 
II.   Q:  How often should I water my bonsai?
            A:  Water the tree pot daily, unless it’s raining steadily.
                          If it has a heavy canopy: water it, even If it's rainy steadily.
                      *Over 90 degrees increase watering to morning and evening.
Quality bonsai have special soil that drains well.
                                        Quality bonsai pots are designed to drain well with large drain holes.

III.  Q:  Can I keep my bonsai indoors?
                                                          A: No, unless it is a tropical, it needs to stay outdoors to stay healthy.
                                     Key: know your tree and you will know your bonsai's location.

IV.   Q:  How can I leave my bonsai while on vacation?
            A: Ideally you should have a knowledgeable friend or neighbor water thoroughly and daily while you are gone,
or take it along with you, BUT keeping it in the proper location is key.
​Remember It needs to be watered daily.  Note: Al provides vacation care $1/ day.

V.    Q:  Does my bonsai need repotting?
            A: With our local substrate "soil" mix,  bonsai repotting is necessary but infrequent.
                Note: poor drainage requires your bonsai to be re-potted; repot if you desire a different size pot.
To do so; remove bonsai from pot, clean or replace the screens at the drain holes. Replace tree into pot chosen.

VI.   Q:  What about the cold?
            A: Outdoor bonsai are generally cold hardy. The freeze and snow will not kill them.
Heavy, wet snow may damage branches, remove snow.
Most of my bonsai are junipers, cypress, pines, and flowering, deciduous trees.
Protect frost sensitive species such citrus.
Avoid watering very late in the day; if the pots freeze with water in them, they may crack.

VII.  Q: Should I prune my bonsai?
           A: If you want to, it is certainly fine to prune your bonsai.
I prune my regularly to keep it's shape, but you can let it grow out and trim it as you prefer.
We offer bonsai classes, and books available which can give you ideas and tips.

VIII.  Q: How long will my bonsai live?
            A:  Bonsai can live for hundreds of years if cared for properly.
Many Japanese specimens have been potted for over 100 years.
Some trees are estimated to be 400 to 500 years old. 

                  Remember your bonsai daily!
                  Food.  Water.  Location.
                    Bonsai will thrive with the proper attention.

                Al provides vacation care $1/day  



​Bonsai Care:    Yes you can :)   1. Water!  2. Location!   3. Food!

       1.   Water your bonsai thoroughly daily until water drains out the bottom.
       (Only when using modern bonsai substrates...not garden or "planting" soil. )
       Water the tree top to bottom. 
​Over 90 degrees water additionally.

       2.   Location:  Outdoors.
       You can keep it indoors for an evening or to enjoy occasionally indoors during the day.
       Cold or foul weather outdoors is healthy for your tree.
       During the summer heat, morning sun is best, avoiding the intense afternoon sun.
Ask about varieties suitable for indoors such as jacaranda, and Norfolk Island Pine.

       3.  Feed your bonsai every 2 weeks April thru October.
       Use any good liquid plant fertilize, with at least the full recommended dose.