Bonsai Basics: How to care for your bonsai tree, 4 things you must know

[@nancyfahey7518]

Great reminder video.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks Nancy!

[@isidroalbertgarcia2396]

Allways is a good idea to think about basics, thanks Terry.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Yes I agree 100%. Sometimes we forget them for sure.

[@apostlewoody]

Your content is always greatly appreciated, especially one whose bonsai journey is just starting. Thank you, Mr. Erasmus...

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Why thank you Sir! 👍🏻

[@W9SL9Y]

You have a beautiful garden Terry! Can I ask what you sprayed on the scissors before using the Crean mate?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks Wesley. 😊 I sprayed wd40 which is actually canola oil apparently.

[@AlexBraunton]

A really fantastic video Terry. Light and position is something I've nearly lost sleep over in bonsai. I've tried to find the perfect spot in my garden for sun. I've used light measurements, sun position simulation and real life recording. I've even used a camera to record my garden over a number of days to then review and calculate the distribution of sun per sqm of garden. I still worry I don't get enough sun. The garden has large trees on the outside of my boundaries, at various locations. This means there might be light for 2 hours, then shade for 30 minutes, then light again. My trees don't seem to be showing any sign of sun deficiency. Growth doesn't seem to be leggy, pines are growing quite vigorously and I've not noticed yellowing on foliage etc. One thing I'm interested in is your thought on "overhead light". Can a bright spot without direct sunlight still be enough for a tree? I've read in old books about bright locations that get overhead light and from various places like reflecting from a wall.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Wow Alex, you certainly are passionate about lighting! I’ve not been that thorough, but respect to you for trying to get to the bottom of things. Overhead light is meaningless in the long term in my experience. I guess it will come down to what you are growing really but I’ll be bold and suggest you’re going to experience problems after a couple seasons even with the lower light trees. I guess a good guide would be to study where the species grows in nature. If it naturally grows in such exposure then it would be ok. I don’t know what the effect of reflected light is on growth and whether this is sufficient enough for a tree or shrub to grow.

[@egoebonsai37]

Thank you for sharing video n knowledge about Bonsai. Good luck Sir.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks so much for watching and for your kind comment. Good luck to you too!

[@danhip2442]

Hello. I have a question regarding watering, I would be very happy to answer. Typically, coniferous bonsai trees such as pine trees are planted with a lump of garden soil in which they originally grew, and when watered, it turns out that the old lump of soil dries out much more slowly or quickly than the rest of the granular soil in the pot. How to water correctly in this case? Do I need to wait until the central lump dries on top? Or should I water it when the main soil is dry?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Where do you want the roots to grow? Sorry to seem to be treating your question simplistically. But water for where you want the roots to grow. Best advice I can give you.

[@carolkiely1630]

❤

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thank you. Much appreciated

[@arnopienaar8111]

Baie dankie T

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

🙌🏻

[@jerezindraj6723]

Hello Terry. When do you use Hydrogen Peroxide to wash your Bonsai Pots? Thank you.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Hi Jerez. I don’t understand your question. Time of day? Month of the year? Condition of the pot? Please explain a little more. Thanks.

[@jerezindraj6723]

@TerryErasmusbonsai Terry when you are doing a Bonsai Repot & if there is some Root Rot?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Ok. Now i understand. Well first you need to cut off the affected roots. Then you can use hydrogen peroxide at the concentrations we sell to spray onto the affected areas. You could also use Sporekill. Most important though is to figure out why you have the problem to begin with. Most likely soil mix. So change your mix.

[@jerezindraj6723]

@TerryErasmusbonsai Thank you Terry.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

@jerezindraj6723 my pleasure.

[@mikeswain9085]

What was the first book you looked at in the video please Terry? The one at 0:30 seconds in.

[@nancyfahey7518]

Make sure you get a book for your area. I'm in Florida, so I have one for Florida+ plants. I bought it at our local bonsai club.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks Mike. I did tag the book in the video but here is the link again: www.bonsaitree.co.za/products/practical-guide-to-bonsai-styles-of-the-world

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

The book Mike was interested in doesn’t actually have any care information, it’s only about styling. However I wholeheartedly agree with your advice.

[@mikeswain9085]

Apologies Terry, I missed it but thank you for the link.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

@mikeswain9085 no problem at all.