Jooni
Potentilla
1 Species
Species
Fertilizing
Feed your Potentilla bonsai with a balanced organic fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring through autumn). Choose a fertilizer specifically formulated for bonsai or one suitable for flowering plants. Avoid overfertilization as it may harm the tree. Regular fertilization helps promote healthy growth and abundant flowering. During the winter months, reduce or stop fertilizing to allow the tree to enter its natural dormancy period.
For optimal results, use a combination of slow-release pellets at the start of growing season supplemented with periodic liquid fertilizer applications. Monitor the tree's response and adjust the feeding schedule based on growth patterns and overall health. If leaves show signs of yellowing or weak growth, you may need to increase fertilization frequency slightly.
Placement
Place your Potentilla bonsai in a location that receives full sun for at least 6 hours daily to ensure proper growth and flowering. While Potentilla can tolerate bright indirect light, they thrive best with direct sunlight exposure. During the growing season, keep the tree outdoors where it can benefit from natural light and air circulation. The ideal temperature range is between 50°F (10°C) to 85°F (29°C).
Though Potentilla is cold-hardy and can withstand freezing temperatures, protect it from extreme cold and frost during winter by moving it to a sheltered location or providing adequate insulation. While they can technically be grown indoors, they perform significantly better outdoors where they receive proper light levels and seasonal temperature variations. If growing indoors is necessary, ensure adequate light, humidity, and temperature control.
Pruning
Regular pruning is essential to maintain the desired shape and size of your Potentilla bonsai. Prune throughout the growing season, removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Trim back long shoots that extend beyond the desired silhouette to encourage dense branching and maintain the tree's compact form. When the foliage becomes too dense, thin out branches to allow light and air to reach the inner portions of the tree.
Focus pruning efforts on maintaining balance and the overall design aesthetic you're trying to achieve. New growth can be pinched back during the growing season to encourage ramification. Wait until early spring before the growing season begins for major structural pruning. Don't be afraid to prune aggressively as Potentilla responds well to heavy pruning, but always ensure you maintain enough foliage to keep the tree healthy.
Repotting
Repot your Potentilla bonsai every 2-3 years in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Use a well-draining bonsai soil mix that includes components like akadama, pumice, and lava rock to promote good drainage and prevent waterlogged roots. When repotting, gently remove the tree from its pot and carefully clean away old soil from the roots.
During repotting, trim back damaged or circling roots while preserving the finer feeder roots. Choose a pot that's proportionate to the tree but not oversized - Potentilla prefer slightly root-bound conditions. After repotting, water thoroughly and place the tree in a sheltered location away from strong winds and direct sun for a few weeks while it recovers. Monitor water needs carefully during this period as newly repotted trees may require different watering frequency.
Watering
Maintain consistent soil moisture for your Potentilla bonsai but avoid overwatering. Check moisture levels daily by inserting your finger about an inch into the soil - if it feels dry at that depth, it's time to water. When watering, thoroughly saturate the soil until water runs from the drainage holes, ensuring even distribution throughout the root system.
Let the soil dry slightly between waterings but never completely dry out. Adjust watering frequency based on climate conditions, pot size, and season - water more frequently during hot summer months and reduce watering in winter. Always ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot. If using a humidity tray, don't let the pot sit directly in water. Watch for signs of both overwatering (yellowing leaves, soggy soil) and underwatering (wilting, dry soil) and adjust accordingly.