Fertilizing your Bonsai

Basic file parts of fertilizer

The three basic elements of any fertilizer are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K, for Kalium), with each element serving different purposes. Nitrogen increases growth of leaves and stems (growth above ground), Phosphorus encourages healthy root growth and growth of fruits and flowers, Potassium promotes overall plant health. Sometimes different ratios of NPK are being used for different trees at different times of the year, though increasingly experts recommend using the same product throughout. Apart from the three macronutrients (NPK), fertilizers often include a range of micronutrients like Iron, Manganese, Boron, Molybdenum, Zinc and Copper.

When should I apply fertilizer?

Most Bonsai trees should be fertilized during the entire growth season of the tree; from early spring till mid autumn.

Older and more mature trees are often fertilized less frequently, also depending on the species, the time of year, the stage of development and health of the tree. Indoor trees can be fertilized around the year.