Caring for and maintaining a bonsai plant takes a little extra skill and know-how compared to a normal plant. The upkeep of a bonsai is said to be relaxing and almost a form of active meditation. The art is constantly pruning and nurturing over a long period to perfect it. It’s not that it’s difficult; it takes time and patience.
But, exactly how long can bonsai go without water?
Well, in most cases bonsai can survive without water for 1-2 weeks with ease. However, the frequency and volume of water needed are based on several factors like the plant’s species, size, pot size, time of year, soil requirements and climate.
The most important practice involved in nurturing bonsai is regulating the amount of water. Understanding how to water bonsai is extremely important as the amount it receives can determine whether it survives or not.
After putting so much time into these plants, you don’t want to lose them to poor knowledge. In this article, we’ll look at the things to consider when watering a plant such as this. Our detailed research will almost certainly cover all bases. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Table of Contents
How do I know if my bonsai needs water?
There are a couple of methods which you can use to identify if your bonsai needs water or not. Firstly, you can see pretty clearly just by looking at the soil. The area around the plant is minimal, so the signs will be visible.
Additionally, you can push into the soil using your finger and judge whether the soil is firm or not. If it seems dry and firm, that’s a good sign that your bonsai is slightly thirsty. In contrast, if it has a bit of giving, is springy and even slightly darker due to the moisture, then the water levels are okay.
In saying that, each species is different and requires different amounts depending on certain growing conditions such as the amount of sunlight it gets, its soil composition, the time of year, etc.
How long can bonsai go without water?
If you need a short and general answer then a bonsai can go 1 to 2 weeks without water. But, the length of time between the watering of a bonsai is a bit of a loaded gun question.
Multiple factors will determine the amount and frequency. Let’s look at all the aspects that should be considered when giving your bonsai plant the water it needs.
Size of The Bonsai
Naturally, larger bonsai plants that grow faster will soak up their water sources much quicker than smaller plants. These will have to be watched with a bit more of a closer eye.
You could top your water up, and if it is placed in a warmer area or somewhere with extra sunlight, then the speed of water consumption can compound even more. Generally, most species can go 3-4 days to up to 1 week between drinks if grown in optimal conditions.
Species of the Bonsai
Surprisingly, almost any tree or plant can be a bonsai tree. The concept is pruning the plant’s roots and foliage to keep it in a dwarfed state. So to say that different species of bonsai require different frequencies of water is true. The length of time can vary but only slightly considering the compact nature of the root system.
Again, as a general rule, 3-4 days between watering is an ok time frame. Continual checks will need to be made to ensure that no other conditions have affected the water consumption.
Season
The seasons will be where the battle is won or lost when watering your bonsai. Wind and humidity can affect water consumption. These factors will dry the tree out much faster, so the frequency of the water will need to be adjusted accordingly.
It’s good practice to protect your bonsai against these elements. Keeping them away from gusty areas is a must! Additionally, the colder months can cause greater problems and risk soil freezing. If the soil freezes, the roots won’t be able to find their way to water or nutrients. As a result, they can die prematurely.
At the same time, the humidity is great for a bonsai. Sure it can dry the plant out, but it also helps to extend the watering cycle of the plant. This can greatly assist with hotter, drier climates.
Substrate composition of soil
A bonsai plant needs a soil mix that retains water. The best way to achieve this is by using a blend with even amounts of clay, peat moss and vermiculite. Using this composite or variants will lessen the frequency of water they require.
It’s worth noting that the aeration and drainage capabilities can severely diminish if you have more than 25% of this blend in the total soil volume. This can cause root rot as a result. If you run into aeration and drainage issues, you can always add larger, more porous materials such as perlite, coarse sand, lava rock, and various clay products.
Sunlight
Sunlight can be both good and bad for your bonsai. On the one hand, it speeds up growth which can be ok depending on your goals. On the other hand, it can heat the plant and pot too much, contributing to the fast evaporation of any moisture stores.
It’s best to place your bonsai somewhere where they can receive the morning sun’s rays and shade in the afternoon. That way, they can split their energy usage into growing earlier and soaking up water later in the day.
Exposure to Winds
Bonsai thrives best in an area where winds are either gentle or nonexistent. Excess winds will dry out the bonsai and its soil. The drier these are, the greater the water frequency that will be required.
Size of the Pot
The size of your pot or container can dramatically change the watering frequency. Bonsai generally grow best in smaller, more shallow-type pots. Although, growing in larger pots allows for more volume of soil. More soil retains more water, which means less frequent watering.
This, of course, depends on the size of the plant in the pot. For example, if you had a smaller plant in a larger pot, you wouldn’t need to water as much. You may also have a faster-growing plant that may need a large pot to prevent its roots from stunting.
Indoor Vs Outdoor Bonsai
This goes hand in hand with weather conditions and sunlight. An indoor plant will more than likely be protected from the elements. The lesser winds and sunlight indoors will allow the plant to soak up all its water unhindered.
This means the water they receive will be less frequent and more predictable. In contrast, outdoor plants can endure stronger winds and more sun, which will dry out the bonsai much faster. As a result, more frequent watering.
Temperature and Humidity
Warmer, harsher temperatures can not only scorch a bonsai but also evaporate its water stores extremely fast. If this is the case, the plant will need more moisture often. As far as humidity is concerned, bonsai thrive in these conditions.
It can help lengthen the watering frequency. If a bonsai is humid, it stays slightly moist instead of drying out.
How often should a bonsai be watered?
Knowing how often to water your bonsai plant will be a case of first knowing your bonsai plant. Over time, you will observe your plant and start to figure out the signs by looking at them. It’s worth noting that no 2 bonsai plants should be watered with the same amount and at a similar frequency.
A general routine will consist of checking the soil and watering accordingly. Firstly, you should look at the plant itself and its soil condition. The soil should never be bone dry. You can test its moisture using a meter, finger, or chopstick.
Most won’t buy a meter due to the cost involved, although they can be extremely accurate. Regardless, a finger works just as well. Simply stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If you feel it has minimal moisture, the bonsai needs some water.
The type of water you use will depend on its accessibility. I tend to use the water that I drink, which is filtered. I like to know that my plant is receiving the same as I am as I know that it has been tested and is clean.
Using a soft spout watering can or spray nozzle when watering is recommended. This will ensure the water doesn’t ruin the plant via a fast and hard spray.
There are several watering methods, including a top soak or submerge. The top soak is simply watering the bonsai from above, filling the pot to the top, making a puddle and letting it soak into the soil. Continue to water until it starts to run out of the drainage holes. The submerge method is filling a sink or large bucket/container with water.
Then carefully lower the plant into the water, allowing the whole plant to fill up with water. Be careful to hold the soil in place. You will notice bubbles forming as all the air holes are filled.
Once the bubbles stop, the plant can be removed and left somewhere to dry. This method helps get deep into the root system at a faster pace.
Things To Consider For Bonsai Watering Routine
A bonsai grown in warmer climates may require more frequent watering, and the same goes for growth during the summer.
Additionally, the size of the pot will make a difference in frequency. Larger pots hold more soil which retains more water. More water usually means less watering long term.
Know your Bonsai
Instead of using a watering routine, it’s best to listen and try to understand what your bonsai wants! Not all bonsai are the same; you will get to know yours and understand when it looks thirsty. Some may soak up water faster than others. It will depend on the species and its root system, the pot size, soil type, weather conditions, etc.
What time of day should I water my bonsai?
The jury is out on this one. The time of day doesn’t matter much for an indoor plant unless it is placed somewhere with bright sunlight.
The sun may dry the plant out a bit faster. Most outdoor plants can soak for longer when watered in the afternoon as the sun starts to go down. They get that bit of extra time unhindered by sunlight and possible heat.
Choose The right Soil Substrate
If you are not good at maintaining a watering routine, you can prepare a soil substrate that holds water for longer periods. Using materials such as perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, coarse sand, lava rock, and various clay products in certain combinations can have great benefits.
The more dense your soil composite is, the more water it can hold. Although, there must be a balance as too compact soils restrict aeration and drainage. There is a bit of trial and error involved.
Can a dry bonsai come back to life?
To answer this question, you need to determine how dry the bonsai plant has become. Some species can have drier-looking leaves, stems and trunks, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is dry. The roots are what matter most in this case.
Sadly, if the root system is bone dry, the plant will be extremely hard to save. If the roots are still slightly moist, they can still be rescued via appropriate watering and routine care. You will need to remove the whole plant from the pot to check the condition of the roots to get a good feel of just how dry they have become.
Frequently Asked Questions (fAQs)
Can a bonsai survive a week without water?
Generally, going longer than 10 days without water is not advisable. So a week is ok, but many factors can determine the frequency of water required per bonsai plant. These include species, temperature, soil conditions, pot size and weather conditions, among other things.
How long can a ficus bonsai go without water?
A ficus bonsai should be watered the same as most other species. That’s by checking the soil to see how dry it is to determine when more water is required. There is no specific timeframe. No 2 bonsai are the same as the amount of water and the frequency needed. Generally speaking, though, once a week should suffice.
How long can a juniper bonsai go without water?
A juniper bonsai has the same water requirements as most other bonsai species. Their soil must be checked regularly to determine when and how much water. They shouldn’t be left without water for longer than 7-10 days if grown in an optimal environment. This is a guide, though checks are essential.
How often do you water bonsai seedlings?
Bonsai seedlings should be watered carefully daily and be closely monitored. Watering this frequently should be done for the first year until they are fully established. It’s easy to drown them out and disrupt the soil they are trying to establish themselves.
Conclusion:
Bonsai plants can be quite rewarding. They require patience and care. The toughest part to master is the amount of water they should receive. This is determined by a range of factors, including their species and size, amount of allocated sunlight, pot size, soil conditions, weather conditions and even if they are grown inside or out.
We hope this well-researched article on how long can bonsai go without water has helped you understand how long your bonsai plant can go without water.
