How to water bonsai in summer

Lovers of this type of tree know that the arrival of heat is one of the most demanding moments for them. A good reason not only to know the vegetative cycle of these plants. It is also essential to delve into how to water the bonsai in summer. Something essential so that, regardless of this season, it continues with its normal growth. An aspect that involves learning a little more about bonsai care.

With rising temperatures, all plants have a higher demand for hydration. A need that, in the case of bonsai, increases. Bonsai pots have less water retention than other types of pots. Something logical, if we contemplate the dimensions that they usually have. On the other hand, these plants demand a specific substrate that provides efficient drainage that allows the correct development of the roots.

For these two reasons, watering the bonsai in summer is something that cannot be left in the background. What’s more: it must become the priority of all our irrigation tasks.

TIPS FOR WATERING BONSAI IN SUMMER

Watering a bonsai in summer largely depends on the type of plant. Of its characteristics, the type of substrate or even its origin. But it also depends on your situation, outside or inside our house. For all these reasons, the possible irrigation scenarios for this type of plant are enormous. And yet, we can be guided by guidelines common to all of them.

It is important to understand that, in the summer months, our plant is in a relative period of rest. As a consequence of the heat, the bonsai closes its stomata and thus slows down the circulation of sap from the roots to the leaves. This natural mechanism allows minimizing the effort of growth to avoid, with it, the loss of water. Hence, regardless of whether our irrigation is constant and regular, it will not be at this time when we see our plant grow.

And if understanding what the plant is like is vital, it is no less important to be regular with its hydration. Watering the bonsai in summer should be a daily task and without exception. A single day of neglect can seriously compromise the health of the plant, especially if it is a bonsai that is located outdoors.

What’s more: if you have it outside, it is essential that it be located in a semi-shaded area. In this way we will ensure that the leaves remain green but, also, that the excess of sun does not dehydrate the substrate.

Water the bonsai properly in summer: avoid excess

One of the common mistakes when it comes to watering bonsai in summer is overwatering. In the same way as the rest of the year, the substrate of these plants must be moist on a regular basis. Something that we cannot confuse with being flooded. In fact, even if we believe that this way the bonsai can hydrate better, we will be doing it a disservice. These small trees are extremely sensitive to excess water.

Therefore, it is essential to use a substrate for bonsai. Something that is not secondary, since this type of land is especially draining and facilitates the evacuation of water. However, despite this, we cannot subject our bonsai to any flooding. Regardless of it, excess water only ensures that the roots do not oxygenate properly and, therefore, are in danger of rotting.

3 WAYS TO WATER BONSAI IN SUMMER: IRRIGATION WITH A SHOWERING CAN, IMMERSION AND SPRAYING

Knowing the dangers of excess water, let’s see three recommended ways to water the bonsai in summer. Three ways that we can combine, since they are not mutually exclusive. What’s more: the ideal is to be able to alternate them to adapt, thus, to the needs of the plant.

Let’s see, then, the pros and cons of these three ways of watering the bonsai in summer:

• With a watering can: always using a specific one for bonsai. They are characterized by having fine holes, which allow a delicate and moderate irrigation. The ideal is that we thoroughly water both the trunk and the leaves, always checking that the excess water is eliminated through the drainage holes.
• By immersion: a good method, especially for times of great heat. As its name indicates, we will submerge the plant until it exceeds the surface of the earth. The bubbles will indicate that the water is correctly penetrating the substrate. What’s more: they will be the guide to know when to administer this type of irrigation. If we see a good number of bubbles, the substrate was not as moist as it should be. Otherwise, few bubbles will be indicating that our plant does not demand as much water. It is not recommended that we leave the plant submerged for more than 5 minutes and, guided by the number of bubbles, manage the irrigation time

• Spraying: a system that we cannot strictly consider irrigation, but is really a complement to the previous ones. The heat dries out the environment, so spraying the leaves regularly will be a way to hydrate it as well. The idea is not to soak the plant, but only to moisten its leaves. And, for this, the ideal is to use a sprayer that simulates rain. Delicate and fine. perfect for these plants

And how to water the bonsai in summer if we have to be away from home?

It is the big million dollar question for those who have bonsai. In fact, it is one of the recurring concerns of those who visit us at any of our Verdecora stores. But, before going into details about what we can do to water the bonsai in summer, let’s know what not. We have to forget about that form of irrigation that we use with other plants when we do not know how to water pots in summer in an easy way. We refer to the classic method of leaving the pot submerged in water in the bathtub or in a large basin. In the case of bonsai, this will only cause damage to the plant.

Starting from what we should not do, let us know how to water the bonsai in summer. On the one hand, we can consider installing a drip irrigation kit with a programmer as an emergency measure. In this way, the substrate will remain moist without excesses and the plant will have the hydration it needs. Another method is to use any capillary irrigation system. Although you have to contemplate something: it is less effective than drip irrigation.

If our stay away from home is going to be short, we can also consider watering the bonsai properly by immersion and then leaving it in a cool place. And, if our stay is going to be long, nothing like going to a caregiver. To someone who agrees to go with some regularity to water it.

Different alternatives to water the bonsai in summer with a single purpose: to ensure that our plant is in perfect condition, regardless of the heat.