Knowing when to fertilize your bonsai is very important for it to maintain good health. A very basic fertilizing schedule is:
Early Spring - Half Strength
Late Spring and Early Summer - Full Strength
Late Summer and Fall - Half Strength
During the winter, it is best to give your tree a period of dormancy so that it can rest. You want to give it very little, if any fertilizer. This period of winter dormancy is especially important in more tropical regions that don't experience a true fall.
This is the most basic fertilizing regimen. Many bonsai growers develop their own fertilizing schedule that differs based on the tree and the climate. Therefore, think of this schedule as a reference as you fertilize, because every tree is different, and you know your tree better than anyone.
Another important thing to mention is that you should not fertilize a tree after trimming the roots. It can harm the roots, and in turn, the overall health of the tree. You should wait about six weeks before you begin fertilizing a tree that has had its roots trimmed. Roots are typically trimmed when the tree is placed in a new pot, so when buying a bonsai, it is important to ask when it was last re-potted. If the seller doesn't know, which will almost always be the case when you buy a tree from your local garden department, it is probably best to wait the six weeks, because garden center plants are usually placed in the pots that they are sold in right before they are shipped.
Coming on May 31: Selecting Your First Bonsai
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