How do I look after my new Chinese privet?

SonicBoom

I've been looking on the internet at how to look after my Chinese Privet and have not come up with much. The instructions that came with it are quite basic, and I am wondering what you all think. Should I be caring for it differently?

"How to tend Bonsai:
- The tree requires a bright place.
- Avoid sunlight to prevent withering.
- The daily watering and sprinkling of the leaves is necessary.
- When the top of the soil looks dry, then immerse the tree and the pot to just over the rim of the pot until the air bubbles subside, then remove from the water and drain. Do this at least once a week.
- Add once a fortnight special bonsai nutrients to the water for shiny leaves.
- In autumn the tree tends to lose some leaves, however new leaves will grow in spring.
- Through regular lopping, meaning cutting the new runners, the tree remains small and keeps its original shape."

What I am unsure about is whether or not I should be submerging the pot and soil in water each week, where I can get "bonsai nutrients" and how exactly and when I should be "cutting the new runners"?

Any help will be much appreciated!

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Aaron_K

Hi Sonic,

Call me stupid but don't the first two instruction on the care sheet kind of contradict one another?

The tree is best kept outside in the sunshine, like all trees should be. The soil is probably compact and organic so allow it to dry to just being damp between waterings. To do this, insert a wooden chopstick an inch or so into the soil and inspect. You can use your finger too. Don't water on a schedule. Only water when required. I wouldn't recommend the submersion method either, as it can lead to a build up of salts in the soil. Watering from the top until water flows from the drainage holes is better. The submersion method is best used if the soil dries out too much and needs to be thoroughly re-hydrated. Feed every two weeks with a bonsai fertilizer or regular garden plant food at half the manufacturers dosage.

If the soil is highly organic, I would repot into a free draining soil mix in the spring. This will help prevent root rot. Give protection to the roots in extreme winter temperatures by either mulching it into the ground, or placing in the garden shed or unheated garage when out of leaf.

Chinese privets can tolerate indoor conditions provided there is reasonable lighting, so you could bring it inside in late autumn and not give it a dormancy period.

New runners are just new shoots that will appear on the trunk and branches and will need to be removed or trimmed with scissors to maintain the shape of your tree. If you post a picture of your tree in the show and tell forum, people will be able to suggest styling options to you.

Here is a link to a great many bonsai related articles from Evergreengarden works and are very informative and helpful.

All the best,

Aaron

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