L A S B O N S A I
THE FERTILIZER
The plants require to live of food and for this they absorv through their
roots minerals that they extract from the earth.
As the bonsai is planted in small pots, the quantity of food that they can find in them is limited,
then it is necessary to replace with fertilizer what the tree consumes.
The elements needed to have a healthy bonsai and in good conditions are the
MACRO ELEMENTS (N, P, K) and in a smaller proportion the
MICRO ELEMENTS (iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, manganese, molybdenum, boron, copper and other)
THE MACRO ELEMENTS
What is N-P-K?
N = Nitrogen P =
Phosphorus K = soluble Potassium
N = Nitrogen. This element controls the growth of the leaves and of the plant. Too much nitrogen is harmful, because the plant develops
very large leaves, very dark green and delays the production of the flower and the
maturing of the wood. An indication of the lack of nitrogen is given by the pale color and the poor growth of the leaves.
P = Phosphorus. This encourages the growth of roots and of flowers. Opposed to the
effect of the nitrogen, a plant will not take more phosphorus that it requires. A lack of
it is indicated by a reddish color in the leaves and a upside curvature. The phosphate applied
at the beggining of the summer for aproximately two months, in correct quantities for
bonsai, will improve the quantity of flowers, as well as the quality of flowers.
K = Potassium. The potassium contributes in the maturing of the wood and enlarges the
absorption capacity of roots; makes a plant strongest. A lack of potassium is evident by brownish spots and
by crisp edges of the leaves.
THE MICRO ELEMENTS
The bonsai trained in pots often cannot grow correctly due to a deficiency of the micro nutrients. The soil can be under-fed, and can induce the weakening of the bonsai. A balanced mixture of micro nutrients benefits the growth and the diet of the trees. An application will last al least 180 days. These micro nutrients or micro elements are used in addition to the fertilizer.
TYPES OF FERTILIZERS
There are two types of fertilizers, the liquids and the solids.
LIQUID FERTILIZER
The liquids are quickly absorved by the tree, but they also remain less time in the
soil, since through the permanent irrigation it is dragged out of the pot, so it
must be added more frequently.
When using liquid fertilizers, it is recommended to dilute the solution recommended by the manufacturer
halfway in water, to avoid an overdose that will damage the bonsai.
Example: If the manufacturer indicates 1 cc (or ml) by liter of water
We will use 0,5 cc (or ml) by liter of water
SOLID FERTILIZER
The solid fertilizers that are used in bonsai are generally of organic matter and of
slow disolution and absorption.
The chemical solid fertilizers are not recommendable in bonsai, since they burn the
roots.
When washing the organic solid fertilizer the water will absorb a small
proportion of nutrients and will deliver them to the roots of the bonsai. Due to this effect the degradation of the solid
fertilizer is very slow and we only must replace the pellets or cakes every three months approximately.
The advantage of the solid fertilizer is that there is not risks of overdose, therefore the
roots of the bonsai will not burn.
WHEN TO FERTILIZE
The deciduous leaf bonsai are fertilized , every 15 to 20 days, starting
at the beggining of spring, or when you notice some activity in the buds, till the begining of autumn, with an interruption in the
month with the more extreme heat of summer. With excessive temperature the tree stops growing, therefore does not need
fertilizer.
It is not convenient to use fertilizer with a very high value(%) in nitrogen , since this will
increase the growth of leaves and produce long internodes, that will damage the
aesthetics of our tree.
In autumn we will use a rich phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, this will fortify
the tree for the dormant season and in the other hand we will obtain better flowering in the following spring.
The evergreen bonsai (junipers, cedars, azaleas, etc) they maintain the same
regime described previously, but in the trees of flower and fruits we
must not fertilize in the flowering period. In winter we may fertilize but with
greater
distance between fertilizing events, (each 30 days), since there is a
very reduced activity in the tree.
A very important recommendation is that when using liquid fertilizers the bonsai should be well watered to avoid
over feed and root burn. We do not have this problem with the solid
fertilizers.
WHEN NOT TO FERTILIZE
- Sick or weak tree
- After repotting (at least 30 days without fertilizer)
- With high temperatures
- With low temperatures
- When the tree do not have leaves