Winter Watering + New Pictures

fred · Yellow Belt Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 91 Location: Harare

Hi guys, sorry to sound not so clued up, may even be a stupid question but during this winder period, should i water my bonsai every day or every 2 days since the tree's are sleeping and don't want to cause root rot. I know this is also based on the type of soil mixture and how well it drains but if we consider averaging it out... I have just uploaded some Bonsai pictures on www.photobucket.com/fastfred and would love your comments or idea's on how I can achieve the best looking bonsai....

Surrey John

Hi Fred - I hope you are managing OK in Harare a this time. Up here we tend to forget, of course, that it is winter down your way (it isn't winter here - it just feels like winter).

Generally speaking you don't need to water so much during winter for trees which have gone dormant for their winter sleep - especially the deciduous ones - but this also applies to conifers. However, it may be that down your way, a bit nearer the equator etc, your conditions are much milder and you will certainly have many more tropical and semi-tropical trees which can grow all through winter as well - mainly because the seasons are far less defined in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. These trees will certainly need watering as they are still growing.

So, in general, the rule would be - water much less for dormant trees, but don't let them dry out completely, and water as needed for tropical and sub-tropical trees.

Cheers. SJ.

steve

Let the soil be your guide. When it's drying then water. Don't put a schedule on it.