Bonsai Help

Are bonsai difficult to care for?

No, Bonsai are not difficult to care for. They must be checked daily so that they do not dry out and provided that they are kept in the correct position they should thrive. Full care instructions are provided with every bonsai and can be found on our bonsai care page of this website.

Why are bonsai so expensive?

Bonsai are not expensive if you consider the amount of time required to grow them. It takes years of styling to produce even the smallest and simplest of bonsai. The price of the bonsai simply reflects the skill involved and the amount of work and time to produce it.

How often should I water my bonsai?

Bonsai should be checked daily for water. If the soil is damp to the touch leave it and check it a few hours later. When the soil feels barely damp then water thoroughly, from above, until water runs through the drainage holes.

Do bonsai live indoors?

Certain varieties of bonsai such as the Chinese Elm and Serissa make fantastic indoor bonsai. Most other bonsai should be kept outdoors, unless otherwise stated.

Is a bonsai a special type of tree?

No, a bonsai is simply a small tree in an ornamental pot. They are grown from normal tree seeds or cuttings and skillfully styled to represent their full grown counterparts.

Should I place pebbles/gravel over the soil surface?

Ornamental gravel is aesthetically pleasing but hinders watering. It is very difficult to establish if your bonsai requires watering if you cannot feel the soil surface. It is therefore better not to cover the surface of the soil.

BONSAI TROUBLE SHOOTER

Are you having problems with your bonsai?

If you think your bonsai is sick, compare its symptoms with the following list of more common problems.
1. Leaves are turning pale yellow and dropping off.
2. Leaves are mottled with yellow, brown and black spots.
3. Leaves are green, but crispy.
4. Leaves are pale green to yellow and new shoots are long and spindly.
5. Leaves are going black or brown, starting at the tips and slowly working down the leaf.

1. Yellowing leaves do not always mean that you have a problem. A number of trees, some evergreens included, have leaves which turn yellow at a certain time of the year. Autumn is, of course, when leaves on deciduous trees change colour and fall. Evergreens such as Chinese Elms and Serissas can change colour during and after the winter period. So how do you know if something is wrong?

Is your bonsai deciduous and if so, what time of year is it?

If it is not autumn or your bonsai is evergreen, which of the leaves are changing colour? Old leaves on the inside of the tree, new leaves throughout or both? It is quite common for trees, especially evergreens, to shed old leaves that are tired and replace them with new ones. If, however, all the leaves are turning including the new shoots, then there is a problem. It is very difficult to give an accurate diagnosis as many things can cause this symptom. It is usually due to poor roots so if you are unsure seek expert help.

2. Mottling of the leaves normally means that you have a pest on your bonsai. Spray with a non-systemic insecticide that kills a broad spectrum of pests – especially Red Spider Mite.
Make sure you spray under the foliage and around the trunk. Spray again after ten days and then repeat after a further ten days. Always follow the instructions.

3. If the leaves remain green but are dry and crispy, then your bonsai has dried out at some stage. This often results in the death of bonsai. To ascertain whether your tree is still alive, make a small cut at the base of the trunk in a couple of places. If there is green just under the bark then it is still alive, if it is brown, then sadly it is dead. If there are still signs of life, then keep it cool and moist until new shoots appear. Be patient as this may take a long time.

4. Long spindly shoots with pale leaves usually mean that the bonsai is growing in a position where there is not enough light. Move it in to a brighter position avoiding direct sunlight all day. Prune back spindly shoots to the first pair of leaves on that shoot.

5. Black or brown tips on the leaves are an indication of frost/cold damage or over-watering. If your bonsai has not been hit by the frost, then check our watering procedure.