FERTILIZING

Like soil mixture, fertilizer application is controversial. Bonsai usually do well with fertilizing regularly from spring to fall. They need the three basic components of fertilizer: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. In addition, they need minor nutrients and trace elements such as calcium, iron, magnesium, etc. There are two basic kinds of fertilizer, chemical and organic. Chemical fertilizers have the three basic elements in percentages indicated by three numbers, such as "5-10-10." They also contain trace elements in varying amounts. Chemical fertilizers are available to the roots immediately when you water with a solution of the dissolved fertilizer. Some common chemical fertilizers are Peters 20-20-20, Miracid, Miracle Grow and Rapid-Gro. Many people alternate these fertilizers to ensure the plant gets all the trace elements, which may differ from one fertilizer to another. Miracid has the additional advantage of acidifying the soil, which benefits most plants, especially azaleas (but not junipers.) Mix chemical fertilizers half strength, that is, one-half tablespoon per gallon of water. Add 1 to 2 drops of Superthrive, which is a root vitamin, per gallon. Water the soil with this mixture or soak the pots in it about once every two weeks during the growing season. In the early fall, since you don't need leaf growth, you may switch to half-strength fertilizer with a lower proportion of nitrogen. As mentioned above, fertilizing is controversial; and there are many other schedules which may be used.

As an alternative to chemical fertilizers, you can use organic fertilizers, such as rapeseed cake, Green King fertilizer, or various mixtures of bone meal, blood meal, cottonseed meal, fish emulsion, etc. Usually cakes of these fertilizers are placed on the soil surface and watered through so the soil gets a small dose with each watering. These fertilizers must be broken down by soil bacteria to be used by the tree, so they work somewhat more slowly. Do not fertilize in the winter, just before repotting or for a month after repotting, or if the tree is sick. Trees almost never get sick from lack of fertilizer. If a tree wilts, turns yellow, drops leaves, etc., look for another cause rather than reaching for the fertilizer. You will only make a sick tree worse by fertilizing.