Caring for a bonsai tree is easy. Just follow these simple steps.
 |  | DIFFICULTY:  ratings key CAPTION: A bonsai plant can bring years of joy if you care for it correctly. |
Select a site either indoors or outdoors. Indoors, find a cool place with bright, indirect light. Keep away from heating and cooling vents. Outside, place in a site with light shade and protection from wind. Morning sun and afternoon shade are best. Move indoors in the fall before the first hard frost.
• Check for dryness. Water when the soil surface feels slightly dry to the touch. To water, place your potted bonsai in a pan with one to two inches of water and soak until the soil feels moist. Remove from water and drain. Never allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
• Flush out salt or mineral buildup on the soil surface: Water heavily from the top to allow water to drain through.
• Fertilize every other month with a balanced fertilizer at half the recommended strength. Do not fertilize your flowering bonsai when in bloom.
• Check the foliage regularly for insect pests. If present, wash upper and lower leaf surfaces with a soapy water solution or treat with a household plant insecticide.
• Prune your bonsai to maintain plant shape and create a bushier plant. Prune by pinching off the ends of new tips. You can use herb tips and peppers for seasonings.
• During the winter, place your bonsai in a bright, cool (but draft-free), humid room. Ideal temperatures are 45-55 F. To increase humidity, set the plant in a decorative tray filled with pebbles. Add water to a level just below the bottom of the pot.
• Repot your bonsai every two to three years. Gently remove the bonsai from its pot and the soil from around the root ball. Cut off one-third of the entire root system. Replant your bonsai in fresh soil mix and water thoroughly.
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