Bonsai Annual Care Calendar — Monthly Maintenance and Task Schedule

Seasonal Bonsai Management: Year-Round Care Guide

Bonsai care requires different tasks depending on the season. By performing appropriate maintenance at the right time, you can maintain the health of the tree and preserve its beautiful appearance. Here we summarize year-round bonsai management by season and explain the key points of major tasks.

Spring (March to May) Management

Spring is the busiest season for bonsai, with the most important work concentrated in this period. The management during this time when trees awaken from dormancy and start to grow heavily influences the outcome for the entire year.

• March: Peak season for repotting. For deciduous trees, the appropriate time is when buds begin to swell. Clean up the roots and repot into fresh soil.
• Late March to April: Appropriate time for repotting pines. Remove old soil and trim the roots.
• April: Time for bud pinching (green pinching). Pinch off new shoots of pines with your fingers to adjust their length.
• April to May: Begin fertilizing. Place solid organic fertilizer around the rim of the pot. Do not fertilize trees immediately after repotting.
• May: Once new shoots have fully extended, prune unnecessary branches. Leaf pruning is done on maples and zelkovas.
• Increase watering frequency after buds emerge. As temperatures rise, switch to watering twice daily, in the morning and evening.

By carefully performing spring tasks, growth remains stable from summer onwards.

Summer (June to August) Management

Summer is the season to protect bonsai from heat and dryness while maintaining tree vigor.

• June: Spray fungicide before the rainy season begins to prevent disease. Lightly prune deciduous trees.
• June to July: Be careful of excessive moisture during the rainy season. If the pot has poor drainage, improve shelf ventilation.
• July to August: Heat protection is the highest priority. Provide shade with reed screens or shade cloth, and position to avoid afternoon sun.
• Water twice daily, in the morning and evening. On extremely hot days, also mist the leaves during midday to lower the temperature.
• Fertilizing is paused after the rainy season ends and resumes from late August. Fertilizing in midsummer can easily damage roots.
• Wire can cut into branches easily due to active sap flow. Check and remove wire frequently.

During summer, the top priority is preventing the tree from weakening. Avoid strenuous work and focus on watering.

Autumn (September to November) Management

Autumn is the season when bonsai look most beautiful and is also the time to prepare for the coming spring.

• September: Begin autumn fertilizing. Apply fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium to promote next year's flower bud formation.
• September to October: Perform old needle removal (needle plucking) on pines. Remove old needles from the interior to improve air circulation.
• October: Appropriate time for pruning deciduous trees. Shape the tree before autumn colors appear. Fruit-bearing bonsai can be enjoyed for their fruits.
• Late October to November: Viewing period for autumn colors. Enjoy the fall foliage of maples and zelkovas.
• November: After leaves fall, the tree shape is clearly visible, so check for unnecessary branches and plan wiring.
• Reduce watering frequency as temperatures drop. Be careful of overwatering as soil takes longer to dry.

Autumn fertilizing is crucial work that affects next year's growth. Ensure the tree stores plenty of nutrients.

Winter (December to February) Management

Winter is the dormant season for bonsai, but there is work for cold protection and shaping.

• December to January: Appropriate time for wiring deciduous trees. Without leaves, branch lines are visible and shaping is easier.
• December: Move cold-sensitive species to a muro (simple greenhouse or under shelves). Pines and junipers can basically overwinter outdoors.
• January to February: Watering is still necessary in winter. Water on warm days in the morning if soil is not frozen.
• February: Begin preparing for repotting. Inspect pots, soil, and tools, and replenish as needed.
• Fertilizing is not needed. Dormant trees cannot absorb fertilizer, and it only contaminates the soil.
• This is an excellent time to visit bonsai exhibitions and gardens to learn. Much can be learned from the winter forms of trees.

Since there is less work in winter, use this time to carefully observe the tree and plan its future shape.

Finding Bonsai at Botachoku

At Botachoku, you can purchase high-quality bonsai suited to the current season directly from professional producers. We have a selection of trees in their appropriate repotting season and bonsai ready for enjoying flowers or fruits, all in condition where you can immediately practice seasonal management after purchase. You can also consult with growers for advice on year-round management, so start your bonsai life at Botachoku.