How to Fertilize a Bonsai After Repotting

Bonsai translates to "plant in a tray." The craft dates to 14th century China, when gardeners took naturally dwarfed plants and grew them in containers. Bonsais need repotting toward the end of the winter or the beginning of spring. The plants require fertilization during active growth, but if you're unsure of how much and when, always err on the side of less. Overfertilizing a bonsai, especially a newly potted one, can burn the roots.

Fertilizer
Gardening tools
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Wait one to two months after repotting before fertilizing your bonsai. Wait for buds to break through before you apply fertilizer.
- 2
  Consult a nursery, the plant's care label, or your local agricultural extension for species-specific fertilizer needs. The species, your climate, and the time of year all effect when and what kind of fertilizer your repotted bonsai needs.
- 3
  Purchase a fertilizer high in nitrogen. Look for fertilizers in spring marked 12-6-6. Choose a well-balanced fertilizer in the summer months, around 10-10-10. Purchase 6-6-12, which is high in potassium, to encourage blooming. Lower-nitrogen fertilizers work well for old bonsai trees.
- 4
  Mix a soluble fertilizer with water per the label instructions. Apply it following manufacturer recommendations, typically applying it to the soil surface until excess liquid drains through the bottom of the planter.
- 5
  Place solid fertilizers like rapeseed or fish meal cakes on top of the soil, away from the plant's trunk, to avoid burning the bonsai. Follow any specific label instructions and recommendations. Water the tree as usual. The nutrients release when you water the tree.
- 6
  Fertilize your bonsai once every two weeks, based on its specific requirements. Adjust fertilizer concentration based on how frequently you apply it. Frequent applications require lower concentrations.

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