Sweet Plum (Sageretia) Bonsai Tree Care Guide

Care guide for the Sageretia bonsai tree

Bonsai is a form of art originating in China and Japan which has developed over centuries. Caring for your bonsai tree is crucial in order for you to enjoy watching it grow as well as to ensure your bonsai tree has a long life. However, not all bonsai trees are the same – there are many different species of bonsai tree and it is important that you care correctly for yours in terms of its specific needs.

A particularly popular bonsai tree is the Sageretia bonsai, which is also known as Chinese Sweet Plum bonsai or Bird Plum bonsai. This type of bonsai tree is native to Southern China and part of the flowering shrub family; Rhamnacae. It has a bright green foliage, and if cared for correctly will produce small flowers and eventually fruits.

This article provides a guide on how to care for your Sageretia bonsai tree.

Where to locate your Sageretia bonsai

The first step to caring for your Sageretia bonsai tree is to know where to place it for maximum benefit. This type of bonsai tree prefers different conditions in the summer compared to the winter.

1. Summertime

• In the summer the Sageretia bonsai should ideally be cared for in outdoor conditions and preferably placed in the brightest position possible.
• The Sageretia bonsai adores the heat so, when summer nights fall below 10 degrees C, ensure that your bonsai tree is brought indoors.

2. Wintertime

• During wintertime, and when conditions drop below 10 degrees C at night, indoor conditions are more of a necessity for your Sageretia bonsai.
• However, you should note that if the room is too warm your Sageretia bonsai will dehydrate. To avoid the possibility of dehydration, during winter put a layer of gravel and water in a shallow tray and place your Sageretia bonsai in it.
• Ideally your Sageretia bonsai should be placed on a window facing south or, failing that, face it east or west.
• Your Sageretia bonsai should be given a good amount of daylight – four to six hours is usually ample.

 

 

Routine steps to take to care for your Sageretia bonsai

1. Water is a must

• Ensure that the soil is kept damp as it should never reach a stage where it is entirely dried out.
• You will know that you have given your Sageretia bonsai enough water once the water starts to leak out of the holes at the base of the bonsai pot.
• To ensure that the leaves are cared for they should be misted with water daily, taking care to do this at a time when the Sun will not be burning down on them.

2. Regular fertilizing can do wonders

• Use a general-purpose liquid fertilizer once monthly at a minimum, but not during winter.
• For the Sageretia bonsai, the dosage of the fertilizer should be approximately half of the typical recommended dosage.
• Fertilizing helps maintain healthy roots and ensures that the soil has ample nutrients. Because Bonsai trees cannot spread their roots freely in search of nutrients, it is up to the carer to make sure the tree has what it needs.

3. Tidying / Pruning

• To help new leaves to grow, ensure you prune the longer shoots of your Sageretia bonsai.
• New growth should be trimmed and pinched, but always ensure that not all of it disappears as leaving some aids the health of your Sageretia bonsai tree.
• As the Sageretia bonsai is an evergreen tree, a general rule is that you should repot it every four to five years.

4. Keep your Sageretia bonsai safe

• Routinely spray your Sageretia bonsai with insecticide to ensure that any unhealthy bugs are kept away
• Keeping your Sageretia bonsai safe from unwanted pests can be done in the same way as you would for any other tree

You should now be fully equipped with sufficient knowledge to care for you Sageretia bonsai tree, such as to ensure it has enough water and that it is kept tidy to help healthy growth. However, should you encounter any difficulties or have any questions concerning how to care for your Sageretia bonsai tree then please don’t hesitate to contact us.