Date: 15 Aug 2018, Entry id: 1534332662
Q: How to grow Baobab bonsai properly? How long does it take to shape a nice little bonsai tree?
A: Baobab,
or Adansonia digitata, is a unique addition to a bonsai collection. Native
to Africa, it has an unusual structure and appearance. Some legends say that
the tree was cast down from the heavens and landed upside down, where it
began to grow. This story is no doubt a result of its appearance in the
winter, when the upper branches of the tree look more like roots than treetops.
The Baobab has some specific needs, but if you pay careful attention to its
requirements, this tree is not difficult to grow and makes an excellent
bonsai specimen.
1. Keep Baobab warm, it is sensitive to freeze.
2. Place Baobab in a bright, sunny window. Baobabs need at least six
hours of full sunlight per day, so a window with a western or southern exposure
is best. If your house doesn’t get enough light, supplement natural light
with artificial grow lights. See article Indoor lighting for
tropical plants.
3. Water Baobab regularly during the growing season whenever the soil
is dry. Never water the tree when it is dormant (dropped leaves).
4. Feed Baobab a good-quality fertilizer about once a month. Apply
micro-element solution SUPERFOOD once a month, as well as SUNSHINE-BC plant booster for Bonsai and Caudex plants.
5. Prune the branches of your Baobab bonsai as often as they need it to
give the tree the shape you desire, pruning or pinching off branches that
are growing at odd angles or are too long. Trim early in the spring before new
growth appears.
6. Repot the baobab bonsai every year in Spring. Remove it from pot and
trim the roots back by one-third of their length, completely removing any
that are damaged or dead. Place it in a container that is twice the size of the
root ball and fill the pot with a well-drained soil like Adenium Mix.
It is believed that it takes forever to form a nice shaped tree, up to a few years. However if you provide warmth and bright light, branches grow very quickly, and an experienced bonsai hobbyist can make a unique specimen within 2-3 years. And then, the tree will stay with you for 5000 years - it can be passed from generation to generation!
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