Many people are under the misconception that bonsai are tiny, delicate trees that must be babied and cultivated indoors. To the contrary, there are both indoor and outdoor bonsai trees. And since most bonsai are just trimmed and miniaturized versions of ordinary trees, many species thrive better in an outdoor environment. These ornamental trees make wonderful additions to your deck, patio, or garden.
Outdoor bonsai species fall into two categories: deciduous and evergreen. Deciduous trees have leaves that turn color in the fall and then fall off, while evergreen trees keep their needles or leaves year round. There are flowering and fruit-bearing versions of each. Good deciduous bonsai tree species include Japanese red maple, Chinese elm, Japanese larch, and gingko. Evergreen bonsai species that are easy to maintain outdoors include blue moss cypress, boxwood, blue spruce, and Japanese black pine.
Proper watering is an important part of caring for an outdoor tree. If the soil dries out completely, the roots will be stressed. On the other hand, if you overwater, you can cause rot root. To see if your bonsai needs watering, poke your finger into the soil about an inch. If the soil is dry, water until the water begins to flow from the bottom of the pot. Hydrate your bonsai with a gardening can or with a gentle stream of water from a hose. Using a spray attachment on a hose can produce a jet that is too powerful and you might wash nutrients from the soil. Of course, summoning a good rain is always the best way to water your bonsai tree!
To keep your bonsai healthy, you will need to replenish nutrients in its soil by fertilizing. Most all-purpose fertilizers found at garden centers and nurseries are fine for bonsai. Experts recommend using the fertilizer at half its recommended strength. You