If you don't have enough space in your garden to grow a walnut in the traditional way, you can think about keeping the walnut tree as a bonsai. In this guide you will find out the most important things about walnuts as a bonsai.
Can you grow a walnut tree as a bonsai?
Is a walnut tree bonsai possible? Yes, a walnut can be grown as a bonsai, but only if it is at least one meter tall. Wait four years before cutting the taproot to encourage fibrous root development and keep the tree in the garden.
Walnut as a bonsai – is that even possible?
The fact is that not every plant is suitable for being kept as a bonsai. Now nut trees in general and walnuts in particular are actually included.
Whether in forums or in specialist articles: Experienced hobby gardeners and experts generally advise against cultivating a walnut as a bonsai (due to its sensitivity to cutting).
It is also clear that a walnut tree cannot normally be grown as a “real” bonsai. However, you can try to grow a larger bonsai from a walnut from one meter high.
Practical tips for walnut tree bonsai
Please note that you can only actually transform a walnut into a bonsai after it has been standing and growing for around four years.
First you need to germinate the walnut and then plant the seedling in a large pot so that it can grow as usual.
Then you wait two years before you do the first root pruning in the spring.
Important: Only cut when the walnut tree has developed enough fibrous roots. Then you can shorten the taproot by a third.
Then put the walnut back in its pot and continue to care for it as usual.
Two years later, shorten the taproot again by a third.
Carry out plant pruning once a year
In order to keep the walnut at a low height, it is important to prune regularly:
- once a year
- in August or September
Caution: A walnut kept as a bonsai is much more sensitive to fungi than a “normal” walnut tree.
Work with absolute concentration and as cleanly as possible. This is the only way to prevent the fungus from penetrating the cuts.
Where to grow walnuts as a bonsai?
You should only grow your walnut in the garden as a bonsai - it is not suitable for keeping indoors.
Important: Ensure frost-free wintering.
Finally, we would like to expressly point out that your experiment can also go wrong. Your walnut tree may die. You should be aware of this.
