What should I do on my bonsai tree in January?

No two years are the same. Indeed, this year, the months of December and January were very mild in our nursery located in Lot-Et-Garonne and the trees have started to show signs of recovery, which is likely to be problematic in the event of heavy frosts. Dependingon the region where you are located, you will have to be vigilant, even if it means placing the trees in more shade in order to delay bud break.   

However, winter is conducive to some varieties, such as camellias, brought back into a cold greenhouse for the winter, fill the alleys with red/white flowers, the Nandinas "sacred bamboos" are of a flamboyant red and timidly the Japanese quince trees show their flower buds.

"> https://bonsaigalinou.com/466-nandina-bambou-sacre

January 2023: Prunus in bloom "M.Galinou's collection" 

In January, get your pot ready!

The months of February/March/April will be a good time to repot your bonsai, in fact, it is preferable to wait for the tree to resume its activity , the buds to swell for deciduous trees and the candles to lengthen for conifers.

So you can take the time in winter to choose the perfect pot!

For a good preparation of the future repotting, you will need: the right substrate (do not hesitate to contact us if necessary), and above all the right pottery, weoffer you pottery directly on our online site but you will have a wider choice by visiting us in our nursery.

Watering 

As in previous months, watering will be done sparingly depending on your region.   It is not recommended to water in freezing weather, or otherwise  preferably in the morning (in positive temperature), or in the middle of the day, depending on the night's forecast.  Also be careful that the entire root ball receives water. Indeed, with the dew effect and humid nights, the surface of the substrate can seem permanently damp and reassures us in the fact that we do not water, but it is very common for a large part of the root ball to be dry at the bottom of the pot.

Fertilizer 

It is preferable to allow a significant vegetative recovery before proceeding with fertilizers. It is important that the tree buds on its reserves. If you start applying too early, then the deciduous trees will grow very strongly with long internodes and the pines will make large candles and large needles. This is the reason why we wait until the pine candles are fully developed or until the deciduous trees have taken out all the leaves.  

On the other hand, if you are with a pre-bonsai or want to strengthen the base of the trunk, the previous points do not matter.

On this subject, you can read our article on the "Clip and Grow " technique which will give you the steps to follow between the stages of the pre-bonsai to the bonsai.

 ---> https://bonsaigalinou.com/blog/la-technique-du-clip-and-grow-pour-creer-un-bonsai-n47

Waist

For conifers, this is a very good time to prune, tie or work with wood

When a sculptor begins to carve a rough stone, they can let their imagination run wild and create the work they want. When a painter puts the first brushstrokes on a blank canvas, he can completely decide which image he wants to create. But that's not the case with a bonsai. As it is a living being, it will not necessarily grow as the artist had planned. The role of the bonsaika is ultimately to be that of a guide, the one who will give a direction, an orientation to follow and it is with the work of pruning, tying, woodworking that you will give the path to the tree.