Tropical Bonsai Feeding Made Simple – Bonsai Thrive 180 & MicroTotal Bundle

Tropical Bonsai Feeding Made Simple

Tropical bonsai can grow through much of the year when they receive enough warmth and light. This bundle removes the guesswork by pairing a long-lasting primary fertilizer with occasional micronutrient support.

Bonsai Thrive 180 provides the tree’s primary nutrition. MicroTotal supplements it with nitrogen, iron, magnesium, sulfur, and other supporting nutrients.

Four reusable fertilizer baskets are included to make measuring, applying, and removing Bonsai Thrive easy.

The simple plan: Fill the baskets once. Apply MicroTotal on a separate feeding day every 6–8 weeks. Feed only while your tree is healthy and actively growing.

What Each Fertilizer Does

• Bonsai Thrive 180 (19-5-9): The primary fertilizer. It provides long-lasting nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for foliage, roots, and active growth.
• MicroTotal (5-0-0): A liquid supplement that adds nitrogen, iron, magnesium, sulfur, manganese, copper, zinc, and boron.

MicroTotal contains no phosphorus or potassium, so it supplements rather than replaces Bonsai Thrive.

What’s Included

• Bonsai Thrive 180 slow-release 19-5-9 fertilizer
• Ho Yoku MicroTotal 5-0-0 micronutrient supplement
• Four reusable fertilizer baskets
• Downloadable tropical bonsai feeding guide (PDF)

Step 1: Fill the Fertilizer Baskets

Fill each basket with Bonsai Thrive, close the lid, and place the baskets evenly around the pot.

• 5–6 inch pot: Use 2 baskets
• 7–9 inch pot: Use 3 baskets
• 10–12 inch pot: Use 4 baskets

Water normally, making sure water reaches the baskets. Bonsai Thrive is designed to feed for up to 180 days.

Do not refill the baskets early. Record the date when you first place them so you know when the 180-day feeding period ends.

Step 2: Apply MicroTotal

For an easy staggered schedule, make the first MicroTotal application approximately four weeks after placing the Bonsai Thrive baskets. Continue applying it every 6–8 weeks while the tree is actively growing.

• Indoor tropical bonsai: Mix 1 tablespoon per gallon of water.
• Outdoor tropical bonsai: Mix 2 tablespoons per gallon of water.

Use enough mixed solution to water the soil normally and allow the excess to drain. You do not need to use the entire gallon on one bonsai.

Beginner tip: If the soil is bone dry, moisten it with plain water before applying MicroTotal.

Is Your Bonsai Ready to Be Fertilized?

Look for signs of healthy, active growth:

• New leaves are opening
• Shoot tips are extending
• Foliage looks healthy
• The soil drains and dries normally

Wait if the tree has just arrived, was recently repotted, is unhealthy, has an unresolved pest or watering problem, or has stopped producing new growth.

Adjust Feeding with the Seasons

Tropical bonsai kept warm and under strong light may continue growing indoors through fall and winter. If healthy new growth continues, continue the MicroTotal schedule.

If growth slows or stops after the tree is moved indoors, pause MicroTotal. Do not add more Bonsai Thrive or refill the baskets early.

When the 180-day Thrive feeding period ends, refill the baskets only if the tree is healthy and actively growing. If growth has stopped, wait until healthy new growth returns.

Need More Help?

Download our How to Fertilize Tropical Bonsai guide (PDF). It has the full seasonal schedule in one place. Print it and keep it with your supplies.