AusBonsai

Evening Alpine,
Here is a better photo of my bonsai, hopefully that gives you a better picture of what kind it is.

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r74 ... 1e76b5.jpg

I have a question about watering as I have been reading up on the best method. Some fact sheets say that I should be soaking my Bonsai in a tub of water for up to 10 minutes..now to me that seems very foreign and I would not attempt this unless you guys say this is the norm. So far I have been watering from a small watering (both over the leaves and straight in to the soil) can every two days or when required. (both over the leaves and straight in to the soil). Thoughts on my watering style?

Hi Andrewclimbs , it just goes to show that good quality pics are essential for identification purposes .The original pic is a shocker and it does look more like a Trident Maple than an Elm .The updated pic is definately a Chinese Elm and as i have just posted on another topic a "must have" is a good pic when asking a question or its a waste of time and effort .

Soaking in a tub of water is done when re-wetting the soil after is has become water repellant for various reasons and in most case unseen around the root mass .It also pushes the nitrogen buildup in the pot out and replaces it with a fresh intake of air as it drains . Continual watering doesn't mean the root mass around the base is actually getting watered .
It can dry out to the point where is becomes water repellant and only the outer soil actually gets wet leaving the plant to struggle on the minimum amount of water being absorbed .

Soaking for about half an hour "some say until the bubbles subside" ensures the root mass close to the trunk has been re- moistened and will continue to re-wet during normal watering . A watering can is fine , i soak/squirt/water everything here with a garden hose from top to bottom , everything here is watered the same , pines , deciduous and evergreen , and that is because my bonsai mix is the same for all my trees , plants , bonsai .

I water enough to keep them alive for that day , tomorrow they may not need water , during the growing season here i can water up to 3 times a day , but i never let them completely dry out .If they do submerge then I submerge in a dunk pond to re-wet completely .

Cheers Alpine