The flame tree belongs to the carob family and is known as flamboyant. The fact that this species belongs to the family of butterflies can be seen from the flowers and leaves. The feathery foliage is particularly aesthetic, which is why professionals cultivate the deciduous tree as a bonsai.
How do you properly care for a flame tree bonsai?
A flame tree bonsai requires special care through proper cutting, wiring and trimming for an umbrella-shaped crown and aesthetic branching. It is also important to have a permeable, mineral substrate and regular watering without excessively moistening the soil.
Growth characteristics
Flame trees are tropical plants that can grow up to ten meters high. Its crown is naturally umbrella-like, which is also the focus of bonsai design. In tropical conditions the tree is evergreen. Cooler conditions cause the tree to shed its leaves. It survives the Central European winter months in a neighborhood with temperatures between ten and 20 degrees Celsius.
Notes on growing bonsai
These specimens are not typical objects to create a mini tree. If you want to turn the species into a bonsai, you need to have a lot of patience. Delonix regia slowly woody. Similar to other bird of paradise bushes from the same genus, the leaves can be kept to a maximum size of ten centimeters through targeted design measures.
How to cut correctly
Despite its delicate appearance, a flame tree tolerates more radical pruning measures very well. These take place in spring so that the tree puts all of its energy into growing the existing parts of the plant in the subsequent growing season. Take away any excess shoots that spoil the overall look. In order for an umbrella-shaped crown to develop over time, regular trimming is necessary during the summer. Through constant pruning, the tree develops beautiful branches.
Tips for a balanced overall picture
Keep the big picture in mind when cutting. Flame trees look aesthetic with an odd number of branches. They increase tension and increase interest. Ideally, the deciduous tree has three branches at different levels so that flowers and leaves have enough space to develop. When cutting leaves, you should ensure that the branches are never completely stripped of leaves.
Wiring
The tropical plants have very soft and elastic wood. In addition, the young branches slowly become woody, which is why stabilizing wires (€16.00 on Amazon) are well suited for the design. Aluminum wires are wound spirally around the shoots so that they can then be bent into the desired shape. Make sure the fit is snug but not too tight. Check the bonsai weekly for growth and remove the wires when secondary growth begins.
Tip
If you want to move older branches into a different orientation, bracing is a good option.
Care
These specimens prove to be sensitive to care measures. They do not tolerate mistakes and will quickly die in suboptimal conditions. A permeable and mineral substrate is just as mandatory as a planter with drainage holes.
How to care properly:
- Allow soil to dry before watering
- Avoid dry phases and soil that is too moist
- fertilize organically every four weeks during the growth phase
