How to care for an oak bonsai

How to care for an oak bonsai

Oak bonsai photo source: Clasf

The world of bonsai is much bigger than the ones you see in supermarkets from time to time. Those specimens, which are sold as easy-care plants, sometimes are not. But there is no doubt that if you search a little more, you find others that are a beauty. For example, him oak bonsai

Its size, the way it develops and the presence it acquires if you take good care of it make it ideal for any home. But, How to take care of an oak bonsai?

how is the oak

how is the oak

The holm oak bonsai, with a scientific name Quercus ilex, is also known as holm oak. It is a tree that is often found in Mediterranean countries and is characterized by being grown in dry climates.

In its original form it can easily reach 25 meters., although it is normal that it does not reach 15. It has a rounded crown and bears fruit, the acorns. The trunk starts out smooth but, as the years go by, it cracks and takes on a darker hue.

All the oak leaves are very small, compared to how tall you can be. But also, at the ends, they have a kind of spikes; yes, only in young specimens, adults lose this quality in their leaves.

Es one of the most resistant plants you can have and it also germinates very easily, which is why holm oak bonsai are created.

Visually you will find a robust and leafy appearance, which is why they can withstand any type of climate change, from extreme heat to the most intense cold.

And in the case of the oak bonsai, you should know that It is one of the most recommended for beginners. because it resists almost everything, it grows in a balanced way and you can also shape it without having to worry about strictly meeting its requirements.

Holm oak bonsai care

Holm oak bonsai care

Source: bonsaime

Speaking of those cares, here you have all the ones you need. When you read it, you will see that it is not a copy that needs much, quite the contrary. So if you want to get started with bonsai, do not lose sight of this one.

Location

As we have told you before, the holm oak bonsai It adapts to any climate, whether wet, dry... He prefers the dry one, but in reality, it adapts to everything. So the location of this bonsai can be both indoors and outdoors.

Now, if we wanted to give him the best care, you should place him in a area where it gets direct sun because he likes it a lot and it will also achieve a better development. Only if you see that it is too sunny (for example, in summer it is hotter and it can burn you if it is too long), it would be placed in semi-shade.

Don't worry about moving it around too much, as tolerate drastic changes and is able to adapt to changes in temperature.

Temperature

The bonsai above is one of those It has no preferences in terms of temperatures. It can live perfectly in any water season, whether in cold or frost, or in extreme heat.

Now, keep in mind that as a bonsai, its roots are more compact and much closer to the surface than in the specimens planted in the ground. That causes that in intense frosts, the roots can be damaged or at least weakened. If that happens, the integrity of the tree will be in danger.

Therefore, it is better to try to cover them to prevent this from happening to you.

Earth

The truth is that this bonsai It is not as demanding as others in terms of the substrate to be used. But it is true that a mixture of 70% akadama and 30% volcanic clay is the best you can use. Now, that doesn't mean it's the only thing. Actually, it adapts to what you give it.

For example, you could also make a mixture of coarse (drainage) sand, granular clay, and soil. Or coarse sand, akadama and topsoil.

What you should keep in mind is that needs the soil to have good drainage because it doesn't like too much water and, in fact, it does not like a puddle at all.

Irrigation

The watering of the oak bonsai is curious. Many bonsai need water and keep them moist. But not so in the case of the oak. In this case, you just have to Water it when the soil is dry. And it is not necessary to add a lot of it, quite the contrary.

What happens if you over-water? Any. This tree takes it well, although it should not happen to you very often.

In general, it is best that when you see that the surface is dry, water it a little and wait until you see that dry part again. Do not get overwhelmed if you water it and no water comes out from below, it does not mean that you have not watered it well.

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In spring and in another, it is grateful if you give it a little fertilizer. But beware, because you must apply a monthly subscription from spring to early summer. And in the fall only twice.

Pruning

If you want your bonsai to have a beautiful shape, you will need to prune it regularly. But the pruning itself will only be at the beginning of spring, and before the bonsai begins to wake up. At that time you must Prune the shoots leaving about 6cm long on each one.

Throughout the year, you should also prune it for maintenance to remove leaves, branches and shoots that you don't want or that get out of the way you're giving it.

Transplant

The oak bonsai must be transplanted, when they are young specimens, every two years. As an adult they can spend at least 3 years to do it. Of course, in the case of cutting the roots, you should not overdo it, but be very gentle, because it does not like transplants too much.

And for 3 days you should put it in a bright place but do not give it direct light.

Plagues and diseases

Like many other trees and plants, The oak bonsai is not exempt from problems due to pests and diseases. One of the most common is the powdery mildew, which is characterized by a white powder on the leaves or even on the trunk. To solve it, it is best to place it in a very dry place and reduce watering. In addition to applying a fungicide and removing the leaves that have that dust.

Another problem you may face is "dry oak" suffering from excess moisture and water. With a Fosetil AI fungicide you could solve it, but also by taking it to a drier area and spacing out the watering even more.

Apart from these problems, it is quite resistant and is not usually affected by other pests and/or diseases.

Multiplication

oak bonsai multiplication

Source: lahuertadetoni

As for its reproduction, could be from acorns even oak seedlings (that is, very fine and young specimens that save you a few months or years of waiting).

Has it become clear to you how to care for an oak bonsai?


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