What are the care of beech bonsai?

Do you like beech? Yes? Me too. The problem is that they are very large trees, which can reach heights of 20 and even 30 meters, so they are not very appropriate to have in small gardens or in pots. Well, sorry, in pots it may be ... if we work it as bonsai.

El beech bonsaiBe it European or Japanese, it is a true wonder. If you would like to have one, or if you couldn't wait to buy it, Then I will tell you what care it needs.

What are the characteristics of beech?

First of all, it is interesting to know a little about which tree we are going to work on. The Fagus (name of the botanical genus to which they belong) are deciduous plants native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North America. Their growth is very slow, but their life expectancy is very long since they can live more than 200 years.

With a height of up to 40 meters and a rounded crown of 4-5 meters, it is the best plant in large gardens. Planted as an isolated specimen or in groups, it looks gorgeous. The only downside is that it does not survive in tropical climates, and in the Mediterranean it needs protection from the sun during the summer.

How do you take care of yourself as a bonsai?

If you have or are going to have a beech bonsai, we recommend providing it with the following care:

• Location: if the climate is temperate with frosts and mild summers it can be in full sun all day; in case of being warm (Mediterranean) place in semi-shade.
• Substratum: 70% akadama + 30% kiryuzuna.
• Irrigation: water very often in summer, every 1-2 days. The rest of the year it will need a watering every 3-4 days.
• Subscriber: once a month from spring to autumn with a specific liquid fertilizer for bonsai.
• Pruning: in winter branches that are growing too much, leaving the design, have to be pruned or trimmed. It is cut in a bevel leaving 2-3 leaves per branch, just above the foliar insertion. The new shoots must also be pointed out, and pinched (cut off the tips) before they get longer.
• Wiring: in spring, for a maximum period of 3 months.
• Styles: Chokkan (formal vertical), Yoseue (forest).
• Flower pot: it does not have to be very decorated, since you want the tree to be the only protagonist. In addition, it should be about 4-8cm deep if a single specimen is planted, or flat if it is intended to make a forest.
• Transplant: in spring or autumn, every 2-5 years (young specimens will need more frequent transplants, while adults over 50 years old will suffice to change pot every 4-5 years).
• Rusticity: it resists cold and frost down to -5ºC, but its roots must be protected with a padding of leaves as soon as it drops below 5ºC.

Enjoy your beech bonsai!