During the grow segment of a koi's year,that would be water temperature 70 F or more I feed 3% of their body weight with Hikari Saki growth.Prior to a show I feed 2% of their body weight with hikari wheatgerm for a period of 3 weeks and then discontinue feeding the week prior. During the winter I feed sinking hikari wheatgerm at 1/2 per cent of their body weight every 3 rd day along with same amount the other 2 days with cooked barley. During winter I will wean them away from food for a period of 6 weeks and then start back up again with same wheatgerm/barley regiment.
I don't believe in color food altho truthfully wheatgerm has shrimpmeal but absolutely no Spirulina! My ponds are temp controlled so it's a little easier to maintain a regiment with constant metabolism. Those with unheated ponds need to watch for floating wastes and discontinue feeding for 24 hrs before trying to build back up to a routine gradually. Always better to error on the lean side....
Larry with apologies for what I'm gonna say because the way you phrased it your intend was understood by all , but being the teacher I am for understanding...the art of bonsai is not the art of making minature. Growth is controlled as to what is needed by the specimen to develop into a finished
art form. There are times when a bonsai is put back into the earth and grown
or put into a ridiculously large pot to accomplish the same end. When a bonsai is intended to be held close to the same size then measures are taken
to reduce any growth. This slowing down often causes the leaves or needles to reduce in size which makes it scale more believeable. Bonsai koi however that are deliberately held for size develop over the years bigger and bigger finage in proportion to the body which is a tip off which tells you their condition. You can but a bonsai back in the earth and it will take off in a year or so....not so with bonsai koi as after several years with this minimalist regiment they are truely stunted. thanks for letting me speak about another
hobby I'm passionate about
