Design options
The cork oak primarily allows upright bonsai shapes, in which the strong-growing main trunk looks particularly stable. These can be designed through targeted cutbacks without having to reach for a wire. If the tree has developed thick branches that you want to divert, corrections using guy wires will prove to be useful.
also read
- Cultivate larches as bonsai
- How to properly fertilize your bonsai
- Grow a fire maple as a bonsai
Cut
The evergreen wood can be pruned from February or March. Regularly reduce the shoots to one or two leaves during the season. If the focus is on the growth in thickness, leave the foliage on the branches. When the desired circumference has been reached, reach for scissors.
Wires
Young branches tend to grow steeply upwards. These can be clamped and thus redirected to an angle of 45 degrees or a horizontal direction of growth. A branch clamp for bonsai is equally suitable for making bends in the branches.
Location
Between spring and autumn, the Quercus species prefers a place outdoors, where it loves full sun conditions. Wind and rain are not a problem.
winter
The wood can withstand light frost down to minus five degrees for a short time without being damaged. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you put it in a light and frost-free place in good time. Since the plant is evergreen, it needs sufficient light and mild temperatures even in winter. The thermometer should not rise above ten degrees in winter quarters.
Maintenance measures
The cork oak has similar maintenance requirements as most of the trees that are cultivated as bonsai. Due to the limited conditions in the planter, you have to keep the water and nutrient supply in the eye keep.
Repot
Young cork oaks get new substrate every two years. As part of this measure, reduce the root ball by a third. In this way you stimulate the tree to form fresh roots and give it new strength. During the next growing season it benefits from the nutrients that the exchanged soil mass brings with it.
Ideal substrate composition:
- 40 percent Akada soil
- 40 percent pumice or lava granulate
- 20 percent soil for outdoor bonsai
to water
In summer Quercus suber has a high water requirement, which you have to meet regularly. Check the substrate surface weekly. Once this has dried, the mini-tree requires thorough irrigation. In the cold season, reduce the intensity of watering as the earth dries more slowly. Do not let the wood dry out at any time.
Fertilize
From April fertilization every three weeks makes sense. Stop this at the end of August so that the miniature oak goes into the dormant phase. To harden against the winter cold, we recommend an autumn fertilizer, which you spread over the surface of the earth.
