When you go to the stores on the day when the plant sales arrive, one of the types of bonsai you can find is Sageretia bonsai. It is one of the most widespread with ficus, carmona and serissa. And yet, with the exception of the ficus, all the others are not easy-care trees for beginners in the world of bonsai.
For this reason, on this occasion we are going to focus on it so that you know what it looks like and the most important care you need to give it so that it does not die in two weeks (literally). Go for it?
How is Sageretia bonsai
The first thing you need when you have a Sageretia bonsai is to understand what it looks like. Its most “common” name is the Chinese plum, although in stores and among buyers the Sageretia sounds much more.
It is characterized by tiny leaves and a compact habit. Its trunk is smooth and quite normal (very thin in the bonsai that we usually see in stores).
Moreover, it blooms with tiny flowers (which are nothing special). But, after them, the fruits arrive, small balls between blue and purple.
Sageretia Bonsai Care
As we have already told you, Sageretia bonsai is touted as one of the best for beginners. And you really couldn’t be more wrong. Along with carmona and serissa bonsai, they are one of the three most complicated. They even stand up to many experts in the bonsai world.
Therefore, if you have received one or are planning to buy it, you should read carefully about the care it needs.
location and temperature
Like any tree, whatever its size, it must be outdoors. This is another mistake that is made. He needs the outside, and he needs the sun. Now, that doesn’t mean you put it in the sun and forget about it.
In fact, the best thing is that the tree only gets direct sun during the first hours of the day, but after noon when the temperature starts to tighten, it should be in shade or partial shade. .
In other words, it needs indirect light as much as possible, but direct light only a few hours a day.
As for the temperature, it is a delicate tree, and it does not do well when temperatures drop below 12°C, because it begins to suffer. If this happens in your house, then it is better to protect it or put it in a greenhouse to better control the temperature. For its partIt tolerates high temperatures much better.
Substrate
The ideal mix for this bonsai must be a mixture of blond peat, volcanic clay and akadama. This way you will have a soil that will retain moisture, and at the same time it will drain very well.
Irrigation
Watering is undoubtedly one of the biggest headaches for this bonsai, along with location. And it is that it does not tolerate drought or floods, being able to die in a few days for one reason or another.
We can tell you that You will need to water the Sageretia bonsai often but without flooding it. And at the same time you have to check that the earth you have put drains well, but also that it retains humidity. See how complicated it is?
If it helps, we’ll help you with these tips:
- The best water for bonsai irrigation (not just Sageretia, but all) is rainwater. But we understand you’re not always going to get it, so opt for tap water but with a minimum of 48 hours of rest. Additionally, we recommend adding a few drops of vinegar as it enriches the water much more.
- The way to tell if your bonsai tree needs water or not is to touch the soil with your finger. But of course, this is where the first problem comes in: the bonsai that you buy in supermarkets have such compacted soil that this technique is almost impossible to perform. And also, if you buy it and transplant it, the shock is so great for the plant that it could easily die. You will therefore have to apply watering with very little water, and more daily, until two weeks have passed, Sufficient time for the plant to adapt to the new home, and when the time is right, you can transplant it.
- When watering, try to water with a thin bottle so that too much water does not fall on it. The days before this transplant water very little, but more often. When you already have the right soil, and check with your finger (by inserting it) if it is wet or dry, water until you feel water coming out of the pot’s drainage holes. At that point, stop doing it.
Humidity
Another of the Sageretei bonsai concerns that is hardly talked about, but which is important, is humidity. This plant needs constant humidity. But how much? Well, we investigated and the data tells us it must be at least 30%. If it is between 30 and 40, which is the ideal humidity, it will be perfect.
This implies that you will have to spray the leaves often so that they are also hydrated in this area.
Subscriber
We continue with the care of the bonsai Sageretia and in this case the subscriber is a bit particular. You will see, It starts in the spring, and a nitrogen-rich fertilizer is applied that you can add to the irrigation water.
However, when the temperature exceeds 30ºC, the subscriber must be reduced by half.
On the other hand, when autumn arrives, it is advisable to fertilize it with a product rich in potassium and phosphorus. And in winter you will have to pay once a month.
Transplantation
Transplanting is a little “dangerous”, in the sense that you have to wait to see a lot of roots out of the pot. At this moment, it will be time to transplant, approximately every two years, but experts recommend that at this time you remove 30% of the roots it has.
If you do not know how to prune them, or which ones, you can cause them a lot of pain, so we recommend that you inform yourself well on the subject before doing so.
Size
Pruning is done throughout the year to keep it as you wish.
Plagues and diseases
Red spider, whitefly or mushrooms are the downfall of Sageretia bonsai. Almost all will appear for not having taken into accountor not to do it correctly, so it is possible to improve their modification.
Even so, it will require the use of insecticides and fungicides, both to treat it and to prevent problems.
Multiplication
Eventually, the propagation of Sageretia bonsai can be done, either by seeds (from the fruits it produces), or cuttings that you can take from your plant.
Now you may have more opportunities with your Sageretia bonsai, but remember this is one of those you should be more aware of.