Watering is one of the main management tasks for bonsai plants. Watering seems simple, but it is not easy to water it just right. Watering should be carried out according to the plant species, seasonal changes, the growth period, flowering period, dormancy period and weather conditions of the plant. Mastering the watering time and amount is very important for the growth of plants. The death of some bonsai plants is directly related to improper watering.

In addition to supplying water and nutrients to potted plants, pot soil also maintains the plants' normal breathing of air. When the pot soil has sufficient moisture, the soil particles expand, squeezing out the air in the gaps between the particles, causing a lack of air in the pot soil; when the pot soil is dry or relatively dry, the soil particles shrink, the volume becomes smaller, and gaps between the particles appear again. The gaps are filled with air.

As the soil changes between dry and wet, the air in the pot soil also circulates continuously, allowing the plant roots to breathe normally. After each watering, the plant's roots will be able to tolerate the lack of oxygen in the pot soil within a short period of time. However, if the pot soil is too wet for a long time, resulting in long-term lack of oxygen, it will cause root erosion and other diseases; If the soil is dry for a long time, although there is sufficient oxygen in the pot soil, the plants cannot absorb water for a long time, which is also detrimental to the growth of the plants and may even cause them to die. Therefore, when watering bonsai plants, the principle of "don't water them when they are dry, water them thoroughly" should be followed.

Insufficient watering and dehydration of plants will cause the twigs to wilt and droop, and the leaves to wither, turn yellow, and fall off. In the case of coniferous species, the needles will become soft and lose their strong and prickly feel. When water shortage is severe, the cortex of the branchlets shrinks like goosebumps. If you encounter this situation in summer, you should immediately move the plant to a shaded place. After the temperature drops, spray water on the leaves first, then pour a little water into the pot, and then pour the water thoroughly after one hour.

For severely dehydrated plants, be sure not to water enough at once, because when the plant is severely dehydrated, the root cortex has shrunk and is close to the xylem. If a large amount of water is suddenly supplied, the root system will expand due to rapid absorption of water, causing the cortex to rupture, leading to the plant dies, so there needs to be a gradual adaptation process. After the plants that are seriously short of water undergo the above treatment, it is best to maintain them under a shade shed for a few days, and then cultivate them in the sun after they are strong. However, do not overwater. In addition to causing the plants to grow steeply, affecting the tree shape and ornamental value, excessive watering can also easily cause root rot and death. Miniature bonsai pots require less soil, so it is especially important to water them at the right time and in the right amount.