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With the development of new bonsai concepts and design ideas, gardeners have been able to take different varieties of plants and grow them into breathtaking miniature trees. Although Jacaranda is more recognized as a shade tree, it is one of the woody plants that can be grown as a bonsai. As a tree, it has very large surface roots and can grow for up to 90 feet tall, so growing it as a bonsai takes time and effort. It is not for beginners but can still be done with proper care.
The first step in growing a Jacaranda bonsai is obtaining a nursery stock from your local supplier. These plants are in 1 and 5 gallon cans and already have root systems that are adapted to cramped conditions. When buying potential Jacaranda bonsai, check that the plant is on a par with bonsai requirements on size, scale, trunk, and leaf. Look for plants that are already well rooted and well branched. Well defined roots and branches help the Jacaranda bonsai withstand severe pruning. The leaves should be full enough to be ready for shaping and the branches should be where you need them. Although Jacaranda leaves are considered large for bonsai purposes, they are still acceptable because they are deeply cut and light in feeling. A potential Jacaranda bonsai should not be easily transplanted to a pot. When transferring to a smaller container, root thinning is the next thing to do. However, the roots should not be thinned excessively all at once. The reduction of the Jacaranda bonsai’s root system should be done gradually over time; otherwise, it will be gravely damaged.
Cutting is another method to grow a Jacaranda bonsai. It is actually faster than starting one from seed. Cuttings are best made after new growth has hardened during late spring and early summer.
Jacaranda bonsai can also be grown from layering, which involves rooting branches in the soil while they are still attached to the mother plant. Layering reduces damage and death as it often produces balanced root systems. The best time to do layering is in mid-spring. When choosing a branch, just make sure that it is low enough to reach the ground and that it’s in good shape. Layering is done by making a slanting cut on the underside of the branch, bending it back, anchoring it and covering it with equal parts of sand and peat moss. The potential Jacaranda bonsai will have rooted in 6 to 8 weeks. When this happens, cut it and transfer it to a smaller pot. New buds should be pinched off until a mature root system develops. Keeping the layered area moist will also help root systems of the Jacaranda bonsai to develop quickly.
For bonsai growers, propagating a Jacaranda bonsai and achieving the famed lavender flowers on its terminals are extremely difficult and require special attention. Careful pruning, shaping, watering, and fertilizer application are the maintenance procedures called for to ensure that the bonsai achieves its finest size and shape.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about trees and shrubs and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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