How to properly water bonsai

Growing bonsai is for a large part learning how to water properly. Incorrect watering can lead to dried out rootballs, which leads to instant bonsai death in summer. Learn how to properly water bonsai in this video.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

When watering I always repeat the popular Japanese mantra that “for bonsai, it rains twice”, meaning that after the initial dousing, you return to the tree for a second watering. Keep up the great work Jelle, it is greatly appreciated. 🙏

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you so much! Makes my day to hear!

[@GERMANAITOR]

This is a good rule of thumb for MOST plants that aren't succulents.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Yes!

[@nicodianime]

Actually if it's well draining enough, they love a good soak too!!

[@cam-cg5wb]

actually it does apply to succulents too! it just depends on how often the person is watering. you’re supposed to let dry between waterings and water the plant until it comes out the bottom

[@user-vm3lz6ve6g]

@@nicodianimethis is true

[@Artistguess]

I have so many succulents and they love to get drenched. (Drying out between waterings).

[@Ben7x26]

In my Region it gets quite hot in summer. I start watering my bonsai one by one and when i'm finished with the last one, I start from the beginning. My trees are healthy

[@GrowingBonsai]

exactly!

[@shhh623]

​@@GrowingBonsai😢

[@shhh623]

🎉🎉🎉🎉😊

[@mikesolarz1561]

I'm growing crassula Jade plant bonsai in South Africa. It's so hot here that I have to water my succulent bonsai and potted succulents every day.

[@MegaSafie]

100% Nederlander, ik hoor de dialect in je Engels. Keep it up, brother. I'm proud of you. Great advice. 👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

tsja

[@fcbeatsz]

Scherp 😂

[@CDubDaly]

Ja ik hoor het ook nu 😂

[@anathema157]

The best bonsai channel❤

[@GrowingBonsai]

❤❤

[@greasylimpet3323]

Very good advice, but can I make one suggestion? If the tree has been in the full sun on a really hot day, I would suggest moving it to a shady place to cool down for a while before watering. I'm sure it's better for the roots than cooling them too quickly. I'm talking about 35° +, real hot!

[@GrowingBonsai]

So far, I have not had any problems to be honest?

[@greasylimpet3323]

​@@GrowingBonsaithat's good to hear. I have to bring a European Beech inside on those really hot days, it got pretty badly burnt a few years ago, and I'd hate to lose it.

[@kennethwood713]

I love this art, I'm ready to commit to the journey, what's the best one to buy from Lowes , have wire and snips.

[@dylanh7826]

Thank you! This might actually help me out. I accidentally let my podocarpus get too hot and it’s been drooping for a while. I might try this out to see if it helps those branches to pick back up again

[@williamvstwiggy]

Thank you so much I have a bonsi that has been so sad and hopefully this will help

[@garlanddavidson6845]

Great mix 👍🏻

[@fletcherlewis]

I used to live and work in the Netherlands 🇳🇱, based in Nijmagen, worked all over the country ; absolutely love the people and the place ❤ Love your content Jelle

[@emoji_page]

Good advice.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Grazie!

[@carmelasurban878]

How often do you water? Everyday?

[@SquirtHoliday]

YES

[@emoji_page]

Don't be afraid to water them!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Yes!

[@BigStevesGlassBoxes]

I dont understand, why do we use giant drainage holes, and gravel(basically) on bonsai? Why not plug/partially plug the drainage, and use substrate that retains moisture better?

[@GrowingBonsai]

Roots can drown if too wet for long times. As I live in a very wet place (Right now we have had near-continuous rain for 2 months) I need to cater for wet conditions. THe coarse substrate provides better oxygination too.

[@yo2trader539]

Japan has a lot of rain, and soil is full of volcanic matter dating back forever. And the roots rot if water stays in the pot.

[@topsecret5583]

What bonsi is this I need one!!!! Also I live in Thailand 🇹🇭 so will it grow outside! Please share where you got this beautiful plant!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@boris29122000]

I believe it's called a larch bonsai

[@ARandomTrex]

How often? Im new to bonsai. I live in a super hot sunny area.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hard to tell. Depends a lot on species and substrate. When it gets hot here, I water pretty much all my trees twice a day. Only pines never get watered more than once.

[@Fleshnbloodrobot]

@@GrowingBonsai2x so you mean double watering twice and the technique you showed for pine once?

[@Genemixvlog23]

ganda naman

[@GrowingBonsai]

terima kashi

[@tinahuttner7280]

Had won a Bansai years ago at an auction but it died pretty quickly, couldn’t figure out why, now I know. Wax either a tropical kind and I wasn’t watering it right.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Well.. try again!?

[@nurulnathasya3135]

Hello sir..can i know what name of that bonsai tree in this video?

[@fletcherlewis]

Looks like a Larch or a Cedar

[@reybsd6987]

How many times should you water it?

[@GrowingBonsai]

On hot days I water each pot twice, with a few minutes between. ANd.. Sometimes I do this morning and evening. But it really depends on weather, substrate and species.

[@KHUEBONSAICHANNEL]

That was amazing😊

[@Ascending_Leo816]

Tvank you

[@AbdullahAlMamun-iv7er]

What is the name of this tree?

[@GrowingBonsai]

The species/ it is a Larch.

[@Bonsailoversubhashishghosh]

Amazing

[@Frigga020]

Hoi ik heb er een gekocht bij intratuin, de aarde zat er al bij. Moet ik hem nogsteeds zo veel water geven? En hoevaak in de winter? Mijn laatste bonsai is dood gegaan na 17 trouwe jaren... wil dit nu echt vermijden

[@GrowingBonsai]

ik vermoed dat je een heel ander soort bonsai hebt gekocht.

[@gregy.]

Love it!!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad you like it!

[@naturerelax3285]

Ok,but won't it die due to more water than oxygen or its just how often you water?

[@luisfelix9508]

Watering bulb ?

[@GrowingBonsai]

what about a watering bulb, not sure what it is?

[@oblivion9748]

What kind of tree this?

[@karnak1392]

This gives me ptsd from when my ficus bonsai rotted from the inside from too much water 😂

[@GrowingBonsai]

:) I am going to gamble and guess it was not too much water, but perhaps incorrect watering. My ficusses stand in a tray of water and have permanent soaked toes.. They love it, if healthy and the temps are up. Letting a ficus dry out and then watering again is a recipe for dead roots and subsequent rotting..

[@karnak1392]

@@GrowingBonsai Sounds plausible. I did use to water it only once a week or even two times a week, so you could be right. Thank you!

[@Riverangler78]

Dag Jelle, welk substraat gebruik jij? Ziet er goed uit.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Op mijn kanaal heb ik een video over het substraat wat ik gebruik, en de overwegingen. Er zit van alles in. oa Bims, boombast, zwelklei.

[@iiclutchxzilla]

Does it have to be distilled water ? Or can it be just filtered water ? I live in Texas and it’s kind of hard to find distilled water .

[@GrowingBonsai]

I use bore water, as I am lucky enough to have a 40 metre / 120ft well. Next to this, I have some LARGE rainwater barrels which brings me across 6 weeks of dry spells. I do not use distilled water. It could be your tap / bore water is to rich in minerals long-term.

[@iiclutchxzilla]

@@GrowingBonsai Ok thanks for the response , I’ll use my tap or filtered water .

[@brianbishop557]

sorry, what to do with a dried elm bonsai? (the inner bark is still green)

[@GrowingBonsai]

Put in partial shade. Water sparingly (Only when the pot is starting to go dry) and wait.

[@SpaceMiner007]

Watering the way you present in your short, no doubt provides proper aeration, no?

[@Fairwollow]

Wow. Even young palm trees don't need that much

[@ingelucas9133]

Mooi boompje

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thx!

[@AndresCelso-jk3ez]

🎉

[@neil-mo3uo]

I soak them in a big bucket until the bubbles stop.

[@GrowingBonsai]

There is a downside to this. (If you have many trees, it takes very long): it can compact the soil a lot, reducing the draining qualities.

[@user-cx3rk1iu6x]

What kind of plant is that?

[@GrowingBonsai]

It is a larix

[@jameshays932]

What conifer is this? It’s so nice!

[@GrowingBonsai]

This is a larch, Larix spp

[@wilsonhomegarden8755]

❤❤❤

[@paulapastor-hinkel1985]

After the water I give some liquid food. Is that what you do?

[@GrowingBonsai]

If I fertilize, this is normally after watering. But I certainly do not fertilize every time I water. Fertilizer is not really food. It is more like vitamins. Sun + CO2 = plantfood in my view

[@paulapastor-hinkel1985]

Good to know, I've been on a 2-3 week. Depending on the season and type if plant. Thank you

[@bamboozledagain3116]

Even if its a ficus?

[@GrowingBonsai]

Ficus I normally keep standing in water, as they need loads of water. But yeah, if you do not do this, certainly also for ficus. Why the question? Would you propose something else?

[@iscariot3037]

Is that a cryptomeria Japonica?

[@GrowingBonsai]

It is a larch!

[@iscariot3037]

Kinda hard to find that species here. Also pseudo Larix 😐 Cheers

[@Gerardope]

Spraying the leaves is an excellent tip if you want fungi

[@tedsell1455]

Maybe 3 times in Summer

[@GrowingBonsai]

On very hot days..

[@srishant6781]

What about an indoor bonsai?

[@GrowingBonsai]

What about indoor bonsai?

[@srishant6781]

​@@GrowingBonsaino like how to water bonsai indoor because if we water it like how you did there will be a mess in my living room.

[@Mdd099]

@@srishant6781just take it outside to water it? You shouldn’t really keep them inside anyway

[@zottelhuehs6375]

@@srishant6781 i shower mine

[@hunterz5129]

Tree name

[@GrowingBonsai]

true story

[@TrendingTape11]

Why they r not using soil native soil??

[@GrowingBonsai]

This is a lot easier to keep healthy !

[@TrendingTape11]

@@GrowingBonsai "Where I live, perlite and other bonsai materials, tools, and potting mix are not available for miles. And if by chance they are found somewhere, the price is so high that an average person can't afford it. The quality is also poor. Instead of steel, there are iron pruners of third-class quality."

[@TrendingTape11]

@@GrowingBonsaican we use charcoal sand stones and normal garden soil in a bonsai? Im new that’s why asking😊

[@zackmorisco1854]

Hollander!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Like it matters?

[@bobbymeyerti9300]

The best way to water bonsai is to “dip” them into a bucket of water.... “do not drowned it” ....dont soak it!!!........just put it in there until “most” of the “air bubbles” have gone🎉🎉🎉 then put the bonsai out table for all of water to run out and drain off🥰🥰🥰 make sure that the water has been “treated” for bonsai💐💐💐

[@JordanKeanu]

❤🎉🎉

[@GrowingBonsai]

:D

[@henryng9406]

Easier to just dunk the entire plant & pot in a bucket of water. Leave it there for 15 - 20 minutes.

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@henryng9406 not with more than a handfull of trees. And in many (most) substrates it leads to overcompacting.

[@LisandroBen]

😂🎉

[@Elite33399]

Nederlands???

[@GrowingBonsai]

Espanol?

[@Elite33399]

@@GrowingBonsai hahahahahahaha

[@Elite33399]

@@GrowingBonsai mr je hebt super mooie bonsai btw haha

[@shalom010]

I think your dutch 😅

[@GrowingBonsai]

I think the trees do not care about artificial labels

[@pdb4men]

I smell dutch

[@Caligula...]

Onu su dolu havuza koy moruk ne uğraşıyorsun.

[@GrowingBonsai]

sorry but you have no idea what you are talking about.

[@Toys_bra]

How is it even alive💀

[@GrowingBonsai]

What do you mean?

[@RABonsai]

Please dont's say BONZAI anymore. The proper term is BONSAI. Even youtube thinks is't bonzai, and when I pronounce it correct, the auto CC says "bone size" wich it kinda dumb.....

[@GrowingBonsai]

Keep in mind this is an international place and we all have a different speech & background. I am very sad that your main takeaway is that you feel I speak incorrectly, and had to take time out of your busy day to correct me.

[@Pim3211]

Zijn zware accent doet gewoon zeer aan mijn oren 😂😢

[@GrowingBonsai]

Tsja. Beetje jammer dit.

[@54114142]

why...are you speaking...like this...

[@GrowingBonsai]

because i can.

[@joshma3305]

That all depends on the species of tree... That will drown many, and not be sufficient for others...

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@joshma3305 not really.

[@joshma3305]

@@GrowingBonsai you must be new...

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@joshma3305 Not playing this game.

[@user-nj9re4ld6n]

😂🎉