Fall Fertilizing #2: This Year’s Mix

The last time (until next year) I just finished this year’s final fertilizing on my potted bonsai and my future bonsai that are growing in the ground. Check out our last post for more on fall fertilizing. Here’s what I used (per gallon of water): Two tablespoons of Neptune’s Harvest Liquid Fish/Seaweed. 2-3-0.5 One teaspoon of Neptune’s Harvest Liquid Seaweed. 0-0.2-1 1/2 teaspoon of Dyna-gro Bloom 3-12-6 Last year I used Dyna-gro 7-9-5 instead of Bloom. This year, because I’m a little later than I like to be (for northern Vermont), I decided you use something a little lower in … Continue reading Fall Fertilizing #2: This Year’s Mix

Fall Fertilizing: Nitrogen

Fish seaweed is mild and well-balanced for fall fertilizing. Reduced nitrogen Horticulturists, bonsai teachers and others have long been advising people to reduce nitrogen fertilizing in late summer and fall. The keyword is “reduce.” Some nitrogen is necessary when you fertilize otherwise the phosphorous, potassium and other nutrients can’t do their job properly. Fall growing season in mild climates Here’s what Michael Hagedorn of Crataegus Bonsai has to say about nitrogen and the fall growing season: “We might also begin thinking about fall fertilizing. I think fall fertilizing is more important for bonsai, particularly developed ones, than spring fertilizing. In … Continue reading Fall Fertilizing: Nitrogen

Green Workshop: Fertilizing #3 – A Plan We Like

This healthy looking, well-fed Green Island Ficus (Ficus microcarpa ‘Green Island’), by Alan Kieffer, originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 74, in an article by Mary Miller. A fertilizing program we like The following program is one that I like. Feel free to adjust, elaborate, or simplify according to you needs and preferences. Start with pellets in the very late winter Apply about one third the recommended dosage* of Green Dream or other pellet or chunky natural fertilizer in the very late winter (just before the buds begin to swell).

Feed Your Bonsai!

Green Dream is an excellent, well-balanced (6-6-6) slow release pellet fertilizer. Most people underfeed their bonsai. This may be because they want them to stay small, so they don’t feed much, if at all. What you end up with if you don’t feed enough, may or may not be small, but it WILL be unhealthy. Small is achieved primarily by pruning – both top and roots. True, you may not want to pump your bonsai up with artificially high concentrations of NPK and other nutrients, but you do want you bonsai to be at the peak of health, and regular … Continue reading Feed Your Bonsai!

Field Growing 4: Native Soil

This Satsuki azalea (Rhododendron indicum) was originally field grown (it’s from Bonsai Today issue 40). Field growing is common for azaleas; some start as landscape plants and are later dug up for bonsai, while others are grown as bonsai stock from the beginning. In our last field growing post we mention planting directly into native soil without digging in amendments when you plant. A friend of my points out that she has no native soil; her house and yard were built on fill. In our usage of native soil, we mean whatever soil is already there; in other words, my … Continue reading Field Growing 4: Native Soil