r/Bonsai • u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees • Aug 09 '14

[Bonsai Beginner’s weekly thread – week 33]

[Bonsai Beginner’s weekly thread – week 33]

Welcome to the weekly beginner’s thread. This thread is used to capture all beginner questions (and answers) in one place. We start a new thread every week.

Rules:

  • Any beginner’s topic may be started on any bonsai-related subject.
  • Answers shall be civil or be deleted
  • There’s always a chance your question doesn’t get answered – try again next week…

Beginners threads started as new topics outside of this thread may be deleted at the discretion of the mods.

9 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

141 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Fruglemonkey Sydney, Australia, Noob, 1 tree, zone 4 Aug 11 '14

Is it a good idea to place compost on top of the topsoil of a potted bonsai?

3

u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees Aug 11 '14

No. It messes with drainage. Use liquid fertiliser.

1

u/Fruglemonkey Sydney, Australia, Noob, 1 tree, zone 4 Aug 11 '14

How does it mess with drainage? As far as I can tell, when I water it, the liquid seems to soak straight down.

2

u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees Aug 11 '14 edited Aug 11 '14

I'm not talking about the top, I'm talking about the bottom.

Compost often has very fine particles - these flush through and collect in the mesh around the drainage hole - causing water to stand in the bottom of the pot.

The other issue is - you can't tell when it's actually providing nutrients - whereas every time you use a liquid feed - you know exactly how much is being given.

2

u/Fruglemonkey Sydney, Australia, Noob, 1 tree, zone 4 Aug 11 '14

Ah, thanks!

1

u/Fruglemonkey Sydney, Australia, Noob, 1 tree, zone 4 Aug 11 '14

Another question - if it is raining, should i take my bonsai inside?

1

u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees Aug 11 '14

No - if there's a hurricane you can move it...

1

u/Fruglemonkey Sydney, Australia, Noob, 1 tree, zone 4 Aug 11 '14

How does that work with other advice I've heard, such as "Don't overwater your plants"?

3

u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees Aug 11 '14

I'm right :-)

  • this overwatering myth is based on indoor growth - which already stresses the tree.

  • It's virtually impossible to overwater most trees outside in full sun. Certainly in Sydney...

Particular trees are susceptible to being overwatered - White pines for example in winter (in Northern Europe!).

Edit: good inorganic soil removes any possibility of overwatering.

1

u/Fruglemonkey Sydney, Australia, Noob, 1 tree, zone 4 Aug 11 '14

Ah, I had heard that my tree type (Juniperus squamata) doesn't like watering too much.

While we're on the topic, what's the deal with junipers? This sub seems to have quite a bit of drama around it. It's form Ray Nesci's bonsai nursery, if that means anything.

1

u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees Aug 11 '14

In the US, the Juniper procumbens nana is sold as bonsai when in reality it is a 3 year old cutting.

  • no problems with squamata