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Basic file parts of fertilizer. The three basic elements of fertilizer are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K), with each element serving different purposes. Nitrogen increases growth of leaves and stems, Phosphorus encourages healthy root growth and Potassium encourages growth of fruits and flowers. Different ratios of NPK are being used for different trees at different times of year, which is very important to take into account when fertilizing Bonsai.
When? Fertilize during the entire growth season of the tree; from early spring till mid autumn. Indoor trees however can be fertilized around the year. Although sometimes disputed, do not fertilize repotted trees for about a month; also do not fertilize sick trees.
Which fertilizer to choose? It is very important to choose the right fertilizer: during the early spring time use a fertilizer with a relatively high Nitrogen content (something like NPK 12:6:6) to boost the tree’s growth. During the summer use a more balanced fertilizer (like NPK 10:10:10) while during the autumn use a fertilizer to harden off the tree for the coming winter (like NPK 3:10:10).
A few exceptions are worth noting: to encourage Bonsai to flower use a fertilizer with a high Potassium (K) content (like NPK 6:6:12) and for older trees you might want to use fertilizer with a slightly lower Nitrogen (N) content.
Although “Bonsai fertilizer” is just fertilizer like any other, buying from (online) Bonsai shops will help you finding the right NPK values.
How? Feed your Bonsai using the quantities and frequency as stated on the fertilizer’s packaging. You can choose to reduce the recommended quantity slightly for trees not anymore in training, to balance their growth instead of stimulating it.
Do not overfeed your trees, as this will have serious consequences for their health. You can choose either to use liquid or solid fertilizer; follow the application guidelines as stated on the product’s packaging.
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