I am a new bonsai enthusiast and I have one question which I know will
help others and myself, somewhat, in figuring out this question of
watering a bonsai correctly. In e-mails and books I hear about the
"chopstick" or "toothpick" technique of watering a bonsai. Can anyone
explain in detail, as best you can, what exactly does that mean. I also
am trying to use a "moisture probe" putting it in half way down the pot
and waiting until there is little or no sign of moisture before
watering. Is that effective or not?

Thanks for any comments!

Gary

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At 09:39 AM 1/6/2005, Gary Huff wrote:
I am a new bonsai enthusiast and I have one question which I know will
help others and myself, somewhat, in figuring out this question of
watering a bonsai correctly. In e-mails and books I hear about the
"chopstick" or "toothpick" technique of watering a bonsai. Can anyone
explain in detail, as best you can, what exactly does that mean. I also am
trying to use a "moisture probe" putting it in half way down the pot and
waiting until there is little or no sign of moisture before watering. Is
that effective or not?
Watering indicator

1. Insert a shish-ka-bob skewer or chopstick in the soil to the bottom of
pot between trunk and side of pot
2. Remove daily and check for moisture
3. If the stick is glistening wet, reinsert and do not water plant
4. If you are uncertain, place stick against cheek or inside of wrist to
feel moisture
5. The soil should be almost dry (just barely moist) before watering

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

At 09:39 AM 1/6/2005, Gary Huff wrote:
I am a new bonsai enthusiast and I have one question which I know will
help others and myself, somewhat, in figuring out this question of
watering a bonsai correctly. In e-mails and books I hear about the
"chopstick" or "toothpick" technique of watering a bonsai. Can anyone
explain in detail, as best you can, what exactly does that mean. I also am
trying to use a "moisture probe" putting it in half way down the pot and
waiting until there is little or no sign of moisture before watering. Is
that effective or not?
Watering indicator

1. Insert a shish-ka-bob skewer or chopstick in the soil to the bottom of
pot between trunk and side of pot
2. Remove daily and check for moisture
3. If the stick is glistening wet, reinsert and do not water plant
4. If you are uncertain, place stick against cheek or inside of wrist to
feel moisture
5. The soil should be almost dry (just barely moist) before watering

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

Gary Huff wrote:
I am a new bonsai enthusiast and I have one question which I know will
help others and myself, somewhat, in figuring out this question of
watering a bonsai correctly. In e-mails and books I hear about the
"chopstick" or "toothpick" technique of watering a bonsai. Can anyone
explain in detail, as best you can, what exactly does that mean. I also
am trying to use a "moisture probe" putting it in half way down the pot
and waiting until there is little or no sign of moisture before
watering. Is that effective or not?

Thanks for any comments!

Gary
my 2 cents of worth
nothing is as good tester as your own fingers and eyes
first of all!

& ou have to learn HOW to water!

First of all you need to have put a good draining soil mix with the
right size for the bonsai size and species , how to do it ,you can see
on books , and it should be put in layers according the sifted
granulometry

Than water , give water as long as you notice that the water flows
well out of the drains holes
than stop ...
do not water anymore until the soil is dry again .

How to judge when soil is dry :

1 ) chopsticks , you pull in and out a chopstick in the soil and see how
much it is dirty or not
it gives an idea of the water content ( more dirty more wet )

2) I prefer watch and check the soil this way :
when soil dries gets clearer in color when so I pinch some soil in
deep ( 1 inch) between my fingers , if it sticks to my fingers it is
still wet
if sticks mildly can wait 1-2 days more before giving water
if falls as dust and does not stick ,is too much dry
( this 1-2 days more is valid again according the season and the size
of the pot and the variety of the plant )

normally before watering well again the soil must be dry at least at
80 %, so it is always advisable to leave the soil dry at 80 % before
giving water again

Soils dries out differently according the weather conditions and the
season and the size of the pot .

Sun and wind dry soil quicker than fog and rainy days..
so you have to learn and judge and eyes and fingers are the best tool
for that .

some plants needs less water as pines and junipers most of sap
resin trees need less ,
Leafed trees like Maples normally loose more water trought the
leaves so have to be surveyed more often

Each bonsai dries the soil differently according the weather /season
conditions so getting the common sense of how might the soil dry
gives you an idea if the roots are fine or some problem sets in ..
BTW a newly potted tree *drinks * less than an estableshed plants
with a well developed root system
I hope I gave you all info you needed



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