It is possible to cultivate vinegar trees as bonsai. The young plants are formed by cutting and wiring. Through appropriate care measures and regular repotting, you support the vitality of the small trees.
How to cultivate a vinegar tree as a bonsai?
To cultivate a vinegar tree as a bonsai, you need regular cutting, wiring, repotting and care. You shape the trunk and branches with aluminum wire; cuts back branches, shoots and roots every 6-8 weeks; repot every 2 years and always keep the soil moist.
Wiring
In bonsai cultivation, wiring is important to direct the growth habit. Wrap the trunk and branches in a spiral with aluminum wire. This is wrapped tightly but not too tightly in turns from bottom to top. You can then bend the branches into the desired shape. As soon as thickness growth begins in May, you should remove the wire. Otherwise there is a risk that the wire will leave unsightly marks in the bark.
Cutting
To cultivate a vinegar tree as a bonsai, you must regularly cut back branches, shoots and roots. Begin cutting young plants for the first time in May. This care measure is then carried out approximately every six to eight weeks until September. When transplanting, you need to cut back the roots so that there is a balance between the crown and the root ball.
Repotting
Repotting takes place every two years in spring. Choose the size of the bowl according to the height of the plant. A ratio of 2:3 between bowl length and plant height is ideal. Replace about two-thirds of the substrate with fresh soil to allow the root system to branch. A bonsai soil (€5.00 at Amazon), which consists of equal proportions of lava grit, humus and akadama, is ideal.
Care
Make sure to keep the soil continuously moist. Use a fine spray and spray the entire plant with water. This increases the humidity for a short time and the soil is not washed out of the bowl. Water the tree briefly and repeat the process until the soil is saturated.
How to fertilize the bonsai:
- fertilize regularly between spring and autumn
- Use organic fertilizer in ball form or liquid fertilizer
- do not fertilize during flowering and after repotting
Place the bonsai outdoors so that the vinegar tree gets enough light and oxygen. The trees need these conditions for their growth. In locations exposed to wind, the leaves become harder and more resistant to diseases and pest attacks.
