Most Popular Care Recommendations:

  Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov
Ph Cold Sun Water
Japanese Beech( Fagus crenata )
by Bill Johnson in Zone 6
Graph_2 Graph_3 Graph_3 Graph_4
feed 2 3 3 1 1
Fertilize with balanced liquid from beginning of growth thru July
feed 2 1
Fertilize with low nitrogen liquid from September thru after leaves fall
prune     prune                  
major pruning, from March, thru when buds swell
prune       prune prune prune            
pruning to shape, from April, thru June
wiring         prune prune prune          
Wire from May thru July. Check after 3 months.
repot     prune prune                
Repot starting in March thru when buds swell. Repot every 2 to 3 years.
view detail Growth/Ramification/Maintenance
Japanese Elm( Zelkova serrata )
by David Morrow in Zone 6
Graph_2 Graph_4 Graph_4 Graph_4
feed 1 2 2 2 1 1
Fertilize with high nitrogen solid (green dream) from when buds swell thru end of growth
feed 1 1
Fertilize with low nitrogen liquid (fish emulsion) from August thru September
prune   prune prune                  
pruning to shape, from beginning of growth, thru when buds open
prune     prune prune prune prune prune prune        
pinch new shoots, from after leaves emerge, thru end of growth
prune       prune prune              
defoliation, from April, thru May
wiring     prune prune           prune    
Wire from March thru October. Check after 1 months.
repot     prune prune prune              
Repot starting before buds open thru when buds open. Repot every 2 to 3 years.
view detail Ramification
Kingsville Box( Buxus microphylla Kingsville)
by Rodney Clemons in Zone 7
Graph_3 Graph_5 Graph_4 Graph_3
feed 2 2
Fertilize with balanced liquid (Fish Emulsion) from when buds swell thru April
feed 1 1 1 1 1
Fertilize with balanced solid (Organic) from May thru October
feed
Fertilize with balanced foliar (Inorganic) from thru
prune prune prune prune   prune prune prune   prune prune prune  
major pruning, from January, thru November
wiring   prune prune                  
Wire from February thru March. Check after 2 months.
repot   prune prune   prune prune     prune prune    
Repot starting in February thru October. Repot every 3 to 5 years.
other other       other other     other     other
Pest Control starting in January, thru December
view detail Growth
Japanese Larch( Larix kaempferi )
by Colin Lewis in Zone 7
Graph_1 Graph_5 Graph_2 Graph_4
feed 1 1 2 1 1
Fertilize with balanced solid from beginning of growth thru when leaves change color
prune   prune prune                  
major pruning, from before buds open, thru when buds swell
prune           prune prune          
major pruning, from after shoots harden, thru July
prune       prune prune prune prune   prune      
trim new shoots, from April, thru September
wiring   prune prune                  
Wire from before buds open thru when buds swell. Check after 1 months.
repot                        
Repot starting when buds swell thru . Repot every 3 to 5 years.
view detail Ramification
Amur Maple( Acer ginnala )
by David Morrow in Zone 6
Graph_3 Graph_4 Graph_4 Graph_4
feed 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Fertilize with high nitrogen solid (green king) from beginning of growth thru end of growth
feed 1 1 1 1 1
Fertilize with low nitrogen liquid (fish emulsion) from after shoots harden thru end of growth
prune   prune prune                  
major pruning, from before buds open, thru when buds open
prune         prune prune            
defoliation, from after shoots harden, thru end of growth
wiring   prune prune prune                
Wire from before buds open thru when buds open. Check after 1 months.
repot   prune prune prune                
Repot starting before buds open thru when buds open. Repot every 1 to 3 years.
view detail Ramification
Welcome to BonsaiBench.com
This site contains information about how to care for and train different species of bonsai. On this page are the favorite care recommendations entered by our users. To learn more about these calendars or about how this site works, go to the Using This Site page. Or just dig right in.

You can use the site without entering a user name and password, but if you want to select your own list of favorites or enter recommendations of your own, just click on the Create Account tab. If you have other questions they may be answered in our BonsaiBench FAQ page.

We are currently beta-testing some care recommendations and will make them public as we refine the site. Thanks for your patience, and let us know if you have any feedback.

Special thanks to Colin Lewis and John Callaway of Matsu Bonsai for adding recommendations on larch, maple, and other species.

Organizations
In order for us to find organizations close to you based on your zip code, please sign in or create an account.
Columbus Bonsai Society
Monthly meetings usually feature workshops, lecture/demo or other organized program. Meets at Franklin Park Conservatory on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 2pm.
Tallahassee Bonsai Society
The Tallahassee Bonsai Society is a diverse group of individuals of all skill levels dedicated to the promotion, eduction, and enjoyment of the art of miniature trees. Meets 2nd Saturday at 2:00.
Bonsai Society of Kalamazoo
Founded in 1980 to promote knowledge, appreciation, enjoyment, and interest in the arts of Japanese bonsai and Chinese penjing. Meets the second Sunday of each month
Milwaukee Bonsai Society
Meets on the 1st Tuesday at 7pm.
Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society
Meets second Tuesday at 7:30pm. Annual Society Show is in May at the Botanical Gardens.