Gary,

Jim and Steve gave you good advice. However, you will, in time, figure it
out. You are in the same zone as Steve and I are and we water differently
because we have differences in pot sizes, tree sizes, soil composition, etc.. I
think for the most part we all use our own mixes, something we learn as the
bonsai years pass by, so there cannot be a rule of thumb for watering. Some
soils are more draining some less. I water my trees according to how the weather
goes and if it rains...I always thank God for doing me the favor that day, (I
honestly do :-)), but summer comes it could be twice per day. I don't use
any chopsticks, I never really did since I am not the type to go and check all
the chopsticks...that would drive me to madness, lol. I simply check my
trees. I enjoy looking at them and working on them and being that they are all in
the garden I see them often . I also have two men trees, male trees,
tropicals, evergreens, indoor, outdoor trees, fast draining soils, pot bound
trees (need repotting) some mame, some in training and anything in between all of
the above.....so there goes the rule of thumb theory. Bonsai are like
life...one day at the time, you'll get the hang of it and some day you'll have the
experience. That's all. Keep enjoying your trees and while you do so, check
if they need water...have the hose nearby and a watering wand attached to
it...you'll have a gentle rain on standby. Just do NOT submerge your trees,
always water from the top. Eventually, it will become natural to you. I have
mental notes already, in a sense one brainwashes oneself as the bonsai art
progresses, and knows when it's time to water the trees. It may sound crazy...but
you'll see, it's there in the back of your brain, lol, that's why bonsai
people are different people! Right guys? I hate to worry you, but wait 'til you
get to the fertilizers, the pesticides, the jins, the grafts and so on
......Ciao!

Patrizia G. Kane
zone 7 - NYC

In a message dated 5/21/2005 5:16:39 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:

I've been studying bonsai now for about seven months and I thought I had
this watering bonsai
stuff figured out by now, but now I'm learning I may be overwatering. I use
the wood skewer
method of dry one inch down then water, the finger method of dry to the
first knuckle then water
and I even use a moisture meter to determine when to water my bonsai.


snipped

Can someone help us newbies to know exactly when to water? Should the soil
be dust dry
one inch down before watering or what? Thanks for any help!

Gary
Zone 7



************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++