The typical look
The older the bonsai gets, the more it looks like a real tree. The trunk becomes stronger and stronger, its bark takes on a gray to reddish color. Often the trunk is unusually shaped, which makes it even more attractive.
also read
- Cutting Japanese larch - the skillful use of scissors
- Bonsai larch - a conifer in a decorative miniature format
- Cutting back larch - does it make sense to use scissors?
The needles sprout like tufts, are 2-3 cm long, soft and a delicate green. In summer their color changes to dark green, in autumn they turn yellow until they finally fall off. This is a peculiarity of the larch, which is not the case with the others Conifer species fits.
The blossoms are a long time coming, after 15 years at the earliest, the larch will bloom for the first time in spring. The reddish flowers stand out against the green background, the male flowers can be recognized by yellow bushes. Cones follow that stick to the tree for years.
The main task: cutting
Every bonsai lover seems to have his own approach, for example different information can be found at the time of cutting. The least you can go wrong is buying a pre-formed bonsai. In summer all you have to do is pluck out the new shoots.
Larger changes in shape on the tree, on the other hand, should be made in autumn. If you want to delve deeper into the art of bonsai cutting, you should get appropriate literature and shape the Japanese larch into a cascade or a "mini" forest tree. Over time, your own practical experience will be added to the knowledge you have read.
Optimal care for the small tree
The small bonsai tree does not have its roots outdoors like the large specimens, but instead has to be content with a pot. However, this means an increased maintenance effort for its owner, which he will certainly be happy to do. Here are the most important things in brief:
- Keep the soil moist throughout
- pour more modestly in winter
- daily on hot days
- fertilize from the budding in May to the beginning of September
- every two weeks with a bonsai fertilizer
- regularly check for pests
- take immediate action in the event of infestation
Location and wintering
Most owners will cultivate their bonsai indoors and, if possible, put them out in summer. Both indoors and outdoors, the small larch likes it when it gets enough sun.
The winter is stingy with the sun and often lets the temperatures plummet, the bonsai doesn't mind. This tree is hardy and does not necessarily have to be overwintered warm. He can also stand outside with his bucket all year round.
Tips
Replace the substrate every 2-3 years while keeping the pot size unchanged. The strongly grown roots have to be cut back when repotting.
