The first important thing to do after getting a bonsai is to know its specie and to research on information regarding its proper care and propagation. There a dearth of information available online those beginners in bonsai gardening can look into to determine the proper care of the specific bonsai specie that they acquire.

Next thing to consider is the proper place where the bonsai should be placed. As a general rule, bonsai should not be placed in a location where it is directly hit by sunlight. Whether the bonsai is placed indoors or outdoors, it should be placed in an area where there is proper circulation of air, relatively humid and easily accessible by the owner for urgent care and attention. The good thing is that just by looking at the bonsai, one will easily noticed if the plant likes its current location. Look for signs of wilting or discoloration and once it is seen, that is the time when the bonsai should be transferred into a different location.

The most important thing to consider in taking care of a bonsai plant is of course the most common concern in gardening. This is about proper watering procedure. Watering bonsai depends several things, foremost of which is the season. During dry season when soil quick dries up, more frequent watering should be given to the bonsai plant. If the plant is located outdoors during rainy season, then constant supply of water is ensured. Water sprinkles should be used to regulate the flow of water when watering the bonsai. This ensures that ample water is supplied and prevents over supply of water. Oversupply of water cause the roots of the bonsai to rot and would eventually cause the death of the plant.

With water comes the proper feeding of the bonsai with fertilizers. Fertilizers keep the bonsai healthy and ensures continues growth. There are various available fertilizers in the market which can be used for bonsai feeding. Fertilizers containing high amount of nitrogen should be used during winter and low nitrogen content during autumn.

Last thing to consider when bonsai gardening is the type of soil to use. Ready to use bonsai soil mixture is readily available in plant nurseries. However, one can opt to make his own soil mixture as well. As a general rule a soil mixture should contain one part loam, two parts sphagnum peat moss, and two parts granite grit. These soil materials are available in the market and can be easily obtained.

By: Patrick Desnoyers