During
last few days we enjoyed ideal bonsai weather in my area. At least,
according to my taste. We had few showers, sometimes multiple times a
day. We had some night rain also. During the day temperatures reached
over 20°C, no cold nights. During the day shower changed onto sunny
day. Ideal for the trees, right?
I
recently visited garden of one of my good friends. He is doing bonsai
also. And we were discussing watering regimes, among other topics. I
told him that I'm watering my trees 2 times a day already now in May.
Because we have quite windy weather too often now, and wind dries out
my trees quickly. I prefer more wet environment for my trees than dry
one. I personally do not believe, that for good root growth you need
to let your substrate get dry. (Remember, I do not do conifers too
much) So I explained to him that I'm using water from my well, with
temperature which is constantly at around 16°C, almost throughout
the whole year. I do spray this water all over my trees, on
substrate, on the foliage, to do it quickly and effectively. And I do
it in the morning, evening or during mid day. Actually, when ambient
temperatures are above 30°C, I try to do it minimum 2 times a day
and sometimes 3 times a day(at least during the weekends). And my
garden has direct sunlight from 7:00 till 16:00 in summer.
And than
came the question. If there are drops of the water on leaves of my
trees, on direct sunlight, isn't it dangerous? Since it can burn the
foliage, right? Since drops of water works like magnifying glass, or?
I think this is very popular myth, which refuse to die.
In case
it works like this, my garden would be burned already several times
to ashes. After summer showers, or after my midday watering sessions.
But what about foliage of trees in the woods after such summer storms
and showers changed onto hot day again? Wouldn't they burn also? And
what about tropical forests where this kind of weather is even more
intense and temperatures even higher?
|
Picture from yesterday, after rain. Drops works like magnifying glass and leaves will burn now? |
|
Picture of the same leave today. Again after rain. But point is - no burned spots. No really scientific experiment, right? Test sample is small, test methods are questionable, sun was may be in wrong angle...But for me it was and is myth. I took this pictures just to poke my friend a bit. :) but, ...what if the leave is not the same, hmm? :) |
My
experience is, it is no problem for the foliage. I do it for many
years without any problem. No burned leaves. No fungus on leaves,
even if I water trees over the foliage in the evening. No problem
with cold water even if its temperature is 16°C and air temperature
is +35°C.
Important
note is – I keep all of my trees in inorganic substrates –
mixtures of zeolite, Teramol and so on. Any watering regime is
strictly related to your own environment, climate, substrates used
and feeding regime. So it is quite complex system. But if you
understand how it works, it is pretty easy to find out what works for
you and what isn't.