Grow a sloe bonsai yourself
Unfortunately, sloes are rarely found in bonsai shops. Since the slowly growing blackthorn is well tolerated by pruning and willingly sprouts again, you can easily grow this pretty bonsai from a young plant yourself. The sloe reproduces by means of root runners, so that corresponding young plants can be found in the wild and in many home gardens.
also read
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- The vigorous sloe is easy to multiply
- The sloe Reto makes large fruits with an exquisite aroma
Alternatively, there are the vegetative options Propagation through cuttings or sowing at. For the sowing collect the drupes of a sloe in autumn and store them in the refrigerator, freed from the pulp. You can sow the stones in early spring.
Location and substrate
Like its tall relatives in the wild, the sloe bonsai thrives best in sunny locations. The substrate should be calcareous and not too fine-grained. The hardy bonsai can be overwintered outdoors without a shell with little protection.
You should exercise caution when pruning the roots, as sloes can be sensitive to it. First repot the blackthorn annually. Later repotting every two years is sufficient. When finished, the repotting interval can be extended further.
Caring for the bonsai
You should consider the following points when designing:
- cut the bulky branches frequently in the first few years
- Shorten to one or two pairs of leaves to stimulate growth
- The branches are difficult to wire because of the thorns, so it is better to brace them
- Cut ready-made plants in the spring after flowering before the leaves appear
Even though the sloe tolerates drought well in the wild, the bonsai should be watered regularly. Avoid dry balls and waterlogging. Tap water is the ideal irrigation water, as the sloe prefers calcareous water. As a fruit-bearing bonsai plant, the blackthorn needs regular fertilization. Since the plant is not sensitive to salt, you can use mineral or organic fertilizers.
Tips & Tricks
A sloe bonsai cultivated outdoors can be protected with a thick layer of loosely piled bark mulch. It keeps the soil moist, protects against frost and can be hacked under in spring as a natural fertilizer.