The Art of Fertilizing Your Bonsai Tree
By Fred Meyer

If you are not familiar with how to fertilize your bonsai tree, then this article will provide insight on how you should go about it. Fertilizing your tree is imperative in order for it to grow properly.

After you see the first sign of leaves, you can start applying fertilizer. Initially use a fertilizer with a mild strength. Within a few months after the growing season, use a balanced feed. When the end of the summer season approaches, use bonsai fertilizer that is free of nitrogen. This is used in preparation for the winter season.

Make a schedule and stick to it. Know the needs of your bonsai tree and what it takes to make it grow. When the growing season comes, it's even more crucial to know. During the winter season, the bonsai gets a feeding once each month during that time. However, you have to check to see if it's growing before you do that.

There are three numbers that you need to know about. You will find them on the fertilizer. The first one stands for nitrogen. The higher the number, the more the foliage will grow and have more color of green in the leaves. The second number stands for phosphorous. Potassium represents the third number.

You can also use an organic brand of bonsai fertilizer. This will help because it contains everything that your bonsai needs. Organic fertilizers use natural ingredients which is conducive to the health of your bonsai. Other fertilizers that have chemicals can tend to be toxic and cause the nutrients to produce at a slow pace.

You can also use slow release pellets for your bonsai. People use these if they forget to fertilize their bonsai. The pellets are placed on top of the soil. The nutrients are penetrated in small portions. Because of this, they are effective in the soil for at least 30 days.

If you are good at adhering to a schedule, then you should use liquid fertilizer. When the soil is watered, the nutrients are washed away. Because of that short time frame, the liquid is applied at least three to six weeks during the season where you're not growing any bonsai. The liquid fertilizer should be applied on the leaves and penetrate in the soil.

At the growing period, place slow release pellets on top of the soil for feeding and follow up with the liquid fertilizer every two weeks during this time. If you find your bonsai tree is not looking up to par, don't apply any fertilizer. If the soil is dry, refrain from putting fertilizer on it. It is important that watering and fertilizing go hand in hand.

Fred Meyer is the owner of Dallas Bonsai Garden. Dallas Bonsai Garden is the world's largest bonsai supply superstore. Dallas Bonsai Garden has everything you need to grow award winning Bonsai. Dallas Bonsai Garden focuses on selling the highest quality Japanese bonsai tools and supplies. In addition to selling bonsai supplies, the Dallas Bonsai Garden website has a host of features including instruction on styling and growing bonsai as well as a gallery of award winning bonsai that you can use to pattern your bonsai after. http://www.dallasbonsai.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fred_Meyer
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Art-of-Fertilizing-Your-Bonsai-Tree&id=2274561