Environment

• The environmental needs of bonsai trees vary by species. While some trees require full, direct sunlight, others thrive only in partial, indirect sunlight. It is important that you identify the species' needs of your bonsai for best results. Though the sunlight needs vary, all bonsai trees require well-ventilated areas for healthy cell development. Always choose a location with good air circulation and consistent temperatures, since severe temperature variations, such as cold drafts, will certainly harm your bonsai.
  
  

Water

• The bonsai's soil should never be allowed to dry out completely, but this does not mean that the tree's soil should be kept saturated. Most bonsai trees require deep and infrequent irrigation to allow the soil to dry slightly between each watering. Still, some bonsai trees, such as azaleas and grape bonsais, require moist soil environments that are neither saturated nor dry. Always check your soil's moisture levels before irrigating it. Water the bonsai deeply so that the water reaches its deepest roots.
  
  

Pruning

• The objective of bonsai pruning is to promote healthy development while developing shape. Though most bonsai trees respond well to early springtime pruning, some bonsai trees respond best when pruning is completed during other seasons. Identify your species' preferences to ensure the proper response. Always complete your pruning cuts with sharp, sterile pruning shears. Trim away the unhealthy areas of the bonsai tree before making any cuts for shape. Develop your bonsai tree's shape slowly over several seasons to avoid stunting the bonsai's growth.
  
  

Repotting

• Every bonsai tree benefits from regular repotting. The repotting process is designed to provide your bonsai with a fresh loamy soil environment with increased aeration and replenished nutrients. Ideally, you should repot your vigorously growing bonsai every one to two years as the tree begins to approach root-bound status. Complete the bonsai tree's repotting in the early spring, just before the growing season begins. Remove any dead or wilted roots from the root system during the repotting process and give the healthy roots a trim. Trim back the healthy roots no more than a third from the tips to avoid stunting the bonsai's growth. Always repot your bonsai in fresh soil mixture with a clean container, and irrigate it immediately after repotting.