Seasonal Bonsai Tree Care

The bonsai tree care is a year-round job. Here is a seasonal bonsai tree care calendar,
showing all that you need to do within the year to have your tree growing healthy.

January
During the winter, temperate bonsai trees go into dormancy, you must
protect the roots by placing the tree in a greenhouse or cold frames. Alternatively, you
can cover the pot with insulating material such as foam or layers of leaves.
You should check deciduous trees for pests.

February
For outdoor bonsai water the plants minimally, if there is no rain. For indoor
bonsai trees, water minimally because trees consume less water when the temperature
is low.

March
Some temperature bonsai trees will come out of dormancy and start
growing again.
In late march, trees can be brought out of the greenhouses and cold
frames.
Most pine trees should be repotted, if they need repotting.

April
Most trees should be out of dormancy by now. Some trees such as oak
trees may take longer.
Start feeding the trees again. It means you can resume training and
pruning the trees. Trees that need repotting should be done accordingly.

May
Keep on fertilizing the trees, as well as training and pruning them.
Trees that come out of dormancy late can now be repotted if needed.

June
Pruning and training should continue.
The trunk and branches of your bonsai trees will grow thicker.
Keep on fertilizing the trees, as well as training and pruning them.
July
It would be summer by now. This means, you would need to water the
trees much more frequently.
You should keep on fertilizing the trees, as well as training and pruning
them

August
Keep on fertilizing the trees, as well as training and pruning them
You should make sure the trees are not infected by pests.
Repot the pine bonsai trees if needed.

September
You should save seeds from the trees.
You should now be feeding your temperate bonsai trees for the last time.
The trees will be preparing for the coming winter by hardening off.

October
You should protect your trees when the nights get cold.

November
Temperate bonsai trees should be dormant now, you must protect the
roots by placing the tree in a greenhouse or cold frames. Alternatively, you can cover
the pot with insulating material such as foam or layers of leaves.

December
Keep in mind is the watering frequency of your plant. Plants in dormancy
(including bonsai trees) dont need watering as much as they usually do. You should
be very cautious not to overwater the trees as this can harm them. And you should
check the soil regularly and only water the trees when the soil is dry. Other than that
you should frequently check for insects and infections.
Fertilizer

During the spring, a high nitrogen content fertilizer (for example 10:5:5) should be used. It
will encourage the growth of the tree. During the summer, a balanced fertilizer such as
NPK 5:5:5 should be used. Finally, during the fall, you should use a fertilizer with a high
phosphorus and potassium content such as NPK 3:10:10.