How often do you water a bonsai?

Water, whenever they need it!!!

it needs thorough soaking so

the entire root system is wetted

With days in the 90′s and nights in the 50′s to 60′s Bonsai can require water on a daily or even twice daily basis

Don’t Forget To Water!!! 

As with any plant in a container, a bonsai’s need for water will vary greatly upon the size of the tree, the size and type of pot as well as the location. Do not just 'moisten' the bonsai soil, it needs thorough soaking so the entire root system is wetted Never assume that because it has rained your tree has received enough water particularly during the summer.

30% shade in Savannah

Place Trees In The Shade- This will help the most. Full-sun in New York is about 30% shade in Savannah. Our plants growing in full-sun this summer are showing signs of stress. While plants are adapted to the sun, there can be too much of a good thing. The plants given shade/filtered light are greener and healthier than those in full-sun for the summer. 

Soil maintains a comfortable, stable temperature year-round, but in containers roots can be overheated due to high temperatures. Shade the containers to  cool down soil temperatures and prevent overheating . 

 Chinese Elm

Water the Foliage- Watering the leaves of your bonsai will cool the foliage. The heat and low humidity evaporate the water off of the leaves before it can take the water out of the leaves. This is especially important for trees that have been allowed to dry too much between watering as it reduces their stress. Please keep in mind that watering the foliage in the cooler night and evening temperatures may cause fungal problems for certain species. In hot, dry air this moisture evaporates before there can be a problem. 

Do Not Bring Temperate Bonsai Inside- Due to the constant use of air conditioning, bringing bonsai indoors that have been growing outdoors will not be the best thing for them. Air-conditioned air, while cooler, is extremely dry. Dry air with low light is stressful for temperate plants, and it is the worst thing for hardy trees.

Do not forget to water bonsai
There is no faster way to kill trees.

The soil needs thorough soaking so the entire root system is wetted. Bonsai soil should be open enough to allow water to penetrate throughout and to ensure that excess water is able to pass out through the drainage holes immediately. If the soil does not lose some of its moisture content between each watering, it is permanently wet, leading to problems associated with overwatering.

Juniperus procumbens nana

• Green Mound Juniper
• Japanese Dwarf Garden Juniper
• the "Karate Kid" tree

Junipers and pines will not give warning by wilting in advance. If they have been forgotten, follow the previous three steps and hope for the best. There is not much else one can do.

   

Temporary Watering System

As with any plant that is in a container, a bonsai’s need for water will vary greatly upon the size of the tree, the size and type of pot as well as the location. With a temporary watering system bonsai can be watered automatically during the heat of the summer and during times of vacation. A programmable water timer connected to a hose bib and then to garden sprinklers can be positioned around the bonsai. The timer contains a valve that at preset times opens the flow of water into the hose/sprinklers, watering your bonsai. This watering system is also useful on hot summer days where the bonsai can be watered thoroughly using the water-timer.