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Water torture
http://www.weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13956		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  chalky76 [ 25 Aug 2015, 18:05 ]
Post subject:  Water torture
So I'm having quite a lot of difficulty knowing how much is too much and how much is just right or even too little. I've been away for 9 days and left the bonsai in the garden uncovered so the rain would keep them well watered. I was wondering if keeping them uncovered was the way forward as they would receive rainwater and it would obviously then drain through the pot. Am I missing something? Can it be that simple to just leave in the garden and water extra in the dryer spells or am I risking drowning them?
Author:  RoyH [ 25 Aug 2015, 18:30 ]
Post subject:  Re: Water torture
it depends what type of compost you are using & will the rain be heavy enough to get into the pots? also what are the demands of different trees, some take up more water than others etc ::dunno:
Author:  Jerry Norbury [ 25 Aug 2015, 19:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Water torture
Rain makes no difference in my opinion, regardless of soil. Just leave them to largely dry out before watering again and they'll be fine.
Author:  Sven [ 25 Aug 2015, 21:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Water torture
Yup, rain sure lightens the watering regime, but keep monitoring and feeding.
Author:  chalky76 [ 25 Aug 2015, 23:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Water torture
My main concern it that they get too much rain, or is it the case that it's fine as long as the water is allowed to drain off?

I have mainly Japanese Larch, a few Maples and a Chinese Elm.
Author:  Padi [ 26 Aug 2015, 07:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Water torture
chalky76 wrote:
My main concern it that they get too much rain, or is it the case that it's fine as long as the water is allowed to drain off?

I have mainly Japanese Larch, a few Maples and a Chinese Elm.

Keep a little weed in pot with your bonsai tree, when the weed begins to wilt that's when the tree needs water.
Author:  chalky76 [ 26 Aug 2015, 08:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: Water torture
Padi wrote:
chalky76 wrote:
My main concern it that they get too much rain, or is it the case that it's fine as long as the water is allowed to drain off?

I have mainly Japanese Larch, a few Maples and a Chinese Elm.

Keep a little weed in pot with your bonsai tree, when the weed begins to wilt that's when the tree needs water.



Ooooh I like this. Will the same principle apply for over watering?
Author:  TomB [ 26 Aug 2015, 08:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Water torture
chalky76 wrote:
is it the case that it's fine as long as the water is allowed to drain off?

yes. If your soil ends up staying wet, repot into a better draining mix in the spring.
Author:  PeterBone [ 26 Aug 2015, 10:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Water torture
Rain is not normally sufficient unless it's very heavy. It tends to wet just the upper part of the soil, whereas most of the roots are at the bottom. With small pots a lot of the rain water also gets diverted over the edge of the pot by the foliage. 9 days is a long time to not water trees on the gamble that it will get enough rain. When I go away for this length of time in summer I put my trees into clear plastic bags with some water at the bottom. This captures evaporating water and recycles it. Over-watering is not really an issue if you have the right substrate, so you may want to look into changing it in spring.
Author:  Will [ 26 Aug 2015, 11:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: Water torture
I myself still find I have to water in the rain as most of my trees have decent canopies therefore the rain isn't normally sufficient enough to wet the soil and as for going away for more than a day I just get a Bonsai buddy to come along and check I'd never leave it to the elements
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