Raising the walnut tree as a bonsai

Walnut as a bonsai - is that even possible?

The fact is that not every plant is suitable to be kept as a bonsai. Well, nut trees in general and walnuts in particular are actually part of it.

Whether in forums or in specialist articles: Experienced hobby gardeners and experts generally advise against cultivating a walnut as a bonsai (due to its sensitivity to cutting).

It is also clear that a walnut tree cannot normally be grown as a “real” bonsai. However, you can try to grow a larger bonsai from a walnut from a height of one meter.

Practical tips for walnut tree bonsai

Note that you can only actually transform a walnut into a bonsai after it has been standing and growing for about four years.

Before doing this, you must have the Germinate walnut and then plant the seedling in a large pot so that it can grow as usual.

Then wait two years before making the first root cut in spring.

Important: Only cut when the walnut tree has developed enough fiber roots. Then you can shorten the taproot by a third.

Then put the walnut back in its pot and care for it as usual.

Two years later you shorten the taproot again by a third.

Carry out plant pruning once a year

In order to keep the walnut at a low level, it applies the Plant pruning to carry out regularly:

• once a year
• in August or September

Caution: A walnut kept as a bonsai is another lot more sensitive to fungi than a "normal" walnut tree.

Work with absolute concentration and as cleanly as possible. This is the only way to prevent one
Penetration of the fungus into the cuts.

Where to grow the walnut as a bonsai?

Without exception, you should grow your walnut in the garden as a bonsai - it is not suitable for housekeeping.

Important: Ensure frost-free overwintering.

Finally, we want to point out that your experiment can also go wrong. Your walnut tree may die. You should be aware of this.