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Feeding Bonsai Video Sample
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BONSAI CARE - Fertilizer & Feeding

Plant Food & Elements
  • Carbon Dioxide & Water - These are nutritional elements for plants. Combined with sunlight, these materials convert to sugars and carbohydrates that help plants thrive.
  • Nitrogen - It is responsible for the green color of the leaves and the amount of new growth each spring. It affects the length of the internodes and leaf size. Nitrogen is needed for cell division and the manufacture of proteins.
  • Phophorus - Responsible for good root growth and flowering.
  • Potassium - Activates certain cell enzymes and is associated with healthy cell activity. A deficiency can lead to a chlorosis of the leaf margin.
Label Analysis
  • All fertilizers manufactured for use in the US contain the NPK method (the number such as 15-10-15, 20-15-20, or 18-8-12 are common - these numbers are the percentage by weight of Nitrogen, Phophorus, and Potassium).
  • " A complete analysis of all major, minor and trace elements can be found on the back of the commercial package.
When to Fertilize?
  • Begin balanced fertilizing in the Spring right after new leaves begin to harden off. Continue feeding the plants until Fall or early Winter.
  • Avoid applying plant food to any sick, recovering or newly transplanted plant.
How Much?
  • Many fertilizers, especially the liquid forms such as Miracid, Miracle Gro, Peters, etc., will list a concentration for a particular feeding period. Just follow the instruction but apply only half of the recommended strength.
  • Do not over feed. The more frequently you wish to feed your plants the less concentration the solution should be. Normally, it is not recommended to feed more than once in two weeks.
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