Watering
Of all the tasks to master in the cultivation of bonsai, watering is the most challenging. There are as many ideas about how to water as there are trees. One recommendation is to set the bonsai in a tub of water and let it soak, removing all the air bubbles. Another is the three-times method: water all the plants once, then again, and then a third time. A general rule of thumb is to give enough water so that it runs out the drainage holes of the pot in a steady stream. Do not let the water stand in a pot’s tray and do not water so little that there is no drainage. The best time of the day is in the morning or evening. Some bonsai like to have a more moist soil, others prefer a drier soil. It is good to get in the habit of checking the trees every day. Feel the soil with a finger and judge if the tree needs water. Look at the leaves. Wilted, soft leaves mean too much water; browning, dry wilted leaves mean more water is needed. Listen to the trees-they will tell you what they need!

Fertilizing
This is another aspect of bonsai maintenance that must be approached as a science. There are two categories of fertilizer-chemical and organic. Chemical fertilizers can come in powder, pellets, or liquid form. Powdered forms must be mixed with water to be used. The greatest concern in using chemical fertilizers is that most directions for use result in too strong a solution that can burn the roots of bonsai. It is recommended to use a weaker solution than is called for. Organic fertilizers reduce the worry of root burning. One drawback to organics is that some have an unpleasant smell and may not be desirable for use on indoor bonsai. Some organics are large pellets that are placed on the outside of the pot and take away from the aesthetic view of the bonsai. Even so, organic fertilizers are more eco-friendly for the bonsai and the larger environment. Fertilizing is generally done during the tree’s growing season, usually applied as often as every week to every two weeks for outdoor deciduous trees and conifers, and can be weakly applied year round every two weeks to indoor bonsai. Outdoor trees are usually not fertilized during the dormant period or at very least once a month. Some bonsaists fertilize every time they water with a very weak solution. The watering is done first then the fertilizer is applied. Always remember: Never fertilize a tree that is weak. This does more harm than good.