The following is a basic overview of the needs of your bonsai.
In all areas of Australia except the coldest climates most bonsai should be kept in an outdoor setting, as in nature trees grow outside with natural sunlight, good air circulation and exposure to the elements, so to will your bonsai feel most "at home" outside.
There are 3 primary elements required for your bonsai to thrive. Sunlight, water and food. Depending on your climate and the species of tree, your bonsai will require varying levels of direct sunlight through the day, this will range anywhere from a couple of hours of morning sunlight up to full sun for the entire day, but all trees do require a period of direct sunlight each day and good
ambient light for the rest of the day to flourish. Of course the size of your tree will also affect the amount of sunlight it will need. Smaller trees will obviously dry out faster than larger trees, and as such should not be placed in direct sunlight for extended periods.
In Japan apprentices to the bonsai masters can often spend several years learning to water bonsai at the optimal rate. While it can be a little tricky, and again will vary with each species, a good general rule to use is to water only when the top 2cm of soil is dry. We have had many bonsai brought to us in a poor state due to over watering. As many bonsai are killed by being "loved to death" and over watered, as are killed by a lack of water. If the roots of your tree are not
allowed to dry out a little between waterings you will make your bonsai susceptible to root rot, which as the name suggests is rotting of the roots. Trees in larger pots would need to be watered less often than those in smaller pots. Of course this will depend a lot on the climate you live in.
As your tree is grown in a pot with limited space for the roots to absorb natural nutrients, you will need to "feed" your tree on a regular basis. I recommend using a quality slow release fertilizer such as osmocote or green jacket at the recommended rate, both during potting and also at the
recommended intervals between potting. Also during the growing season an application of liquid fertilizer at 1/2 strength is desirable. I like to alternate between several different liquid fertilizers such as fish and kelp and thrive. These should be applied about every 2 weeks between the start of spring and the end of summer.
