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Bonsai soil is designed to drain water away quickly, carrying with it the vital nutrients your Bonsai tree needs.

So fertilizing your Bonsai tree is important and should be done regularly during the growing season. Every two weeks is a
good rule of thumb.

Liquid fertilizer is quick acting and easy to use; just add it to your watering can when you water. But it also dissipates
quicker than granular fertilizers do by leaching out with the water. Granular fertilizers are usually just pushed into the soil
surface of your plant and dissolve as you water normally. They're easy to use but can be unsightly and some smell a little
funky.

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Fertilizers are made two ways: organically and synthetically. Organic fertilizers are made from natural sources -
everything from fish to chicken poop is used. Synthetic fertilizers are formulated chemically. Which one is better is a
matter of debate, but the bottom line is your tree can't tell the difference between the two, and won't care.

Fertilizers provide nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (among other things) that promote the vigorous growth and
health of your Bonsai tree. Vitamins on the other hand, are formulated to enhance the condition of the soil, stimulate the
root system and encourage macrobiotic growth. It’s a little like giving your Bonsai a multivitamin to supplement your

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tree’s normal diet of fertilizer. Vitamins also help your tree fight off diseases and allows them to better handle pruning
and re-potting.

Fertilizers are assigned three numbers that represent the proportion of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, in that
order. A 3-1-2 fertilizer would be 3% Nitrogen, 1% Phosphorus and 2% Potassium (leaving 94% of inert ingredients.) A
5-5-5 fertilizer would have the same proportion of all three and is called a balanced fertilizer.

Remember the numbers this way: Up, down and all around. Up = Nitrogen that promotes foliage growth. Down =
Phosphorus that promotes healthy roots and All around = Potassium that benefits the whole plant.

Nitrogen
Digging further, you will see that nitrogen is composed of Nitrate Nitrogen, Ammonicial Nitrogen and/or Urea. Nitrate
Nitrogen is readily available to a plant. Ammonicial Nitrogen is the second element to be taken up, but at a slower rate,
and finally Urea. Urea, however, is not soluble in water so in a hydroponic system it is almost useless.

Phosphorus
Next, phosphorus is generally considered important for early root development and for increased flower bud set and

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color. Fertilizers with low phosphorus ratios will produce short and bushy plants. Too little phosphorus and stunting will
occur.

Potassium
Lastly, potassium plays a major factor in plant respiration and water uptake. High potassium promotes sturdy, solid
stem and leaf development. For instance a finishing fertilizer may have high potassium to harden growth and increase
stem length of a flower.

Yep, just mix them in the same amount of water you normally would and they can be used side by side.

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You can mix up your fertilizer in advance and keep it in a cool place out of the sun and it should be good for a few weeks.
After that the nutrients begin to break down. Make sure you shake the container well before using.

Yes indeed. Although your tree will be dormant and additional nitrogen isn’t needed, the rest of the plant will benefit
plenty from a no-nitrogen fertilizer. Your bonsai will stay happy and healthy during the dormant months and more
vigorous in the Spring.

Bio Gold: Use every 6 to 7 weeks during the growing season at a rate of 12 -15 pellets in a 6” pot, and 30 – 40 pellets
in a 12” pot. Press into the soil surface and water.

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Organic Pelletized Fertilizer: Use monthly during the growing season at a rate of ½ teaspoon in a 4” pot; ¾
teaspoon in a 6” pot; ½ tablespoon in a 12” pot. Press into the soil surface and water

Liquid Fertilizer:* Apply every two weeks during the growing season. Mix 1 tablespoon per gallon or 1 1/3 teaspoon
per quart and water as usual.

Liquid Vitamins:* Apply every two weeks. Mix 1 teaspoon per gallon and water as us usual.

Hi-Nitrogen Summer Fertilizer: Apply once a week during the growing season. Mix teaspoon per quart and water as
usual.

No-Nitrogen Fertilizer: Apply once a week during the dormant/winter season. Mix 2 teaspoon per gallon and water as

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usual.

*These two products can be mixed and used at the same time at their normal dilution rate.

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