Fertilisers are necessary for good tree growth. A well-balanced fertiliser should contain equal proportions of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) also known as NPK. These elements should always be found on all fertiliser packaging.

For outdoor trees we recommend using a low-nitrogen fertiliser in spring so to control and limit the growth of your bonsai. Use a fertiliser of 5-10-5 proportions for most of the active growing season. For the hottest of months use a normal balanced fertiliser every two weeks. As you approach winter use a 0-10-10, nitrogen free fertiliser. This will help form new branch and flower buds for next year. Do not feed your bonsai anything during extremely cold periods. When you reach around late February, early March give your tree a feed of normal balanced fertiliser then continue as above.

For trees that are to be kept indoors use a balanced bonsai fertiliser every two weeks from spring to autumn, and once a month during winter. 

Only apply your fertiliser after watering your bonsai first. With time released fertilisers they should be inserted into the soil. If the pellets were allowed to sit on the surface of the soil a dark green slime will eventually appear and in a few weeks a nasty growth called liverwort would then start appearing. Both of these complaints would interfere with drainage and watering.

Keep the fertiliser weak and apply it often and regular. Never use your fertiliser beyond what the instructions state to use. Too much will eventually kill your tree.

Do not feed a tree just after it has been repotted. The root system has to regenerate first. Suspend this for approximately 5 to 6 weeks.

Do not feed your tree if it is starting to look stressed or ill. This will only harm and/or damage your tree further which will eventually lead to it's death in a pretty short amount of time.