Food is to people as fertilizer is to plants - necessary. For the bonsai tree, fertilizer is one thing that’s absolutely critical in the growth and development of a thick trunk, branches, and leaves. Bonsais live is really a limited amount of soil that it’s very hard for that tree to grow and thrive with no addition of more nutrients as food for that tree. Without the additional nutrients present in fertilizer, proper tree growth is severely hindered. At the same time, too much fertilizer can easily kill your tree. There are many places with bonsais available, and when you’ve found an ideal tree, you need to maintain it healthy.

bonsai tree

Probably the most desirable fertilizer for bonsai trees must contain three key elements- nitrogen, phosphate and potassium, roughly in the proportion of 5:3:2. Nitrogen can help boost the development of the branches, leaves, and also the roots. If your leaves start to turn a yellowish-brown, then you are not applying enough nitrogen. Phosphate will aid in the development of the branches, leaves, and roots too, but also within the growth and development of the flowers and fruit. Be sure not to apply too much phosphate, particularly in the pine or oak species. Lastly, potassium can help aid in the healthy development of the bonsai as a whole.

bonsai tree

There are several various kinds of fertilizer- liquid, solid, chemical, organic. I personally recommend using solid organic fertilizer, and this can also be considered to be the very best by most bonsai enthusiasts. Bone meal, rice bran, and oil cake are thought to become the most balanced from the common fertilizers. For bonsai trees particularly, rapeseed cake fertilizer is ideal and should be available at a larger nursery. If you fail to get your hands on rapeseed cake, use a combination of fertilizers in the proportions stated above.