Weeping Willow Bonsai Care | Gardening On

Weeping willow bonsai care

Before the Internet was in every house, finding bonsai different from the usual ones that were brought in supermarkets or flower shops was very complicated. In addition to the fact that the latter could have exorbitant prices. However, now it is easier, not only to acquire them, but to know what needs they have. And of all bonsai, without a doubt the weeping willow is one of the most beautiful. But, what care should be given to the weeping willow bonsai?

If you are going to buy a weeping willow bonsai and want to know how to care for it to last a long time, we will talk about it below.

Weeping Willow Bonsai Characteristics

Characteristics of Salix babylonicaCharacteristics of the Babylonian Willow

Source: I came

The weeping willow is a deciduous tree that comes from Asia (especially China). It is characterized by being a very tall, between 8 and 12 meters high. But the most striking of this are the fallen branches, creating as if it were a curtain of light green and very long leaves. Together with the dark gray bark, it creates a very striking contrast.

In the case of a bonsai, it retains that characteristic that makes it so beautiful, that is, the thin, hanging and flexible branches covered with leaves that seem to “dress” the tree.

Now, we must warn you that it is not easy to care for it as a bonsai, especially if you live in an area where the summers are too hot. On the other hand, winters tolerate them even when there are frosts or intense cold.

Weeping Willow Bonsai Care

Weeping Willow Bonsai CareWeeping willow bonsai care

Source: Pinterest

Don’t let what we have told you discourage you. It is true that there are some bonsai that are better in one environment than another. But it is also true that they can get used to the climate if you are careful the first few years, which is how long they need to settle.

Now, among the care of the weeping willow bonsai, you must take into account the following:

Location

a weeping willow enjoy in cold and slightly temperate climates, but nothing else. Therefore, you always have to place it outdoors. In fact, the interior does not tolerate it, first, because of the heat from the heating in winter; and second, because air conditioning in the summer can overdry your soil and leaves and you will suffer just the same.

Therefore, try put it in a place outside the house and, if possible, where it is not too windy because he can’t tolerate it. We recommend that you put it in semi-shade or in the sun if you live in a cold climate area.

Temperature

Regarding the temperature, you should know that prefer cold to heat. When the sun begins to shine, the tree suffers and suffers, therefore, it is not recommended to have it in climates that are too hot (for example, in the south of Spain).

It is capable of withstanding both frost and intense cold and snowfall; but the same does not happen with the suffocating sun because the drought, even if it is minimal, affects it greatly.

Earth

The substrate you should use for a weeping willow bonsai will always be a akadama mixture (70%) and volcanic gravel (30%). Why so? Because you have to ensure that the soil is always moist, but not waterlogged. In this way, it can be nourished and healthy, plus you will encourage the growth of moss in the soil.

weeping willow bonsai

weeping willow bonsai

Irrigation

Of the weeping willow bonsai care, watering is one of the most important and perhaps the one that fails the most.

To begin with, you should know that irrigation, in winter, of this bonsai, it is four times a week, without flooding it, be careful. In spring, and of course, in summer, you will have to increase watering, needing, Depending on where you live and where it is, 2-3 times a day watering.

You always have to water it from the bottom up without the water touching the leaves of the branches. Once you have done it, you have to wait to remove the excess water.

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Yes, the weeping willow bonsai requires fertilize it every 20 days from spring to autumn, then every 30-40 days and, in winter, every 60 days.

Be careful, because if at some point you transplant it, it is highly recommended that you do not fertilize it for a while, since when you add new soil it already has the nutrients it needs and it is better to wait a bit before fertilizing it again (it is as if you were skipping a of that subscription).

Pruning

Weeping willow pruning is done always in November and on the part of the cups if they are long or there are excess leaves. If there is not, it is better not to touch it, but if you leave it, it will end up breaking the glass.

In addition, other areas will have to be cut so that it does not lose the shape you want to give it.

Now, in the case of the roots, it is better never to cut them (even if a transplant is done, I do not know if they really need it and always with great care) because they are very delicate and could end the life of the bonsai.

Wiring

The wiring technique is used to shape the bonsai, both the trunk and its branches. In the case of the weeping willow, only they are used in the growth stage so that the branches and leaves touch each other.

Plagues and diseases

Another important care for the weeping willow bonsai is to know what are the pests and diseases that can attack it. In the first case, we talk about the aphids They will attack to feed on the sap of the tree. In the second, the Royaa fungus that you can easily identify because the leaves and stems will have orange bumps or pustules.

Multiplication

The only viable way to reproduce it is through cuttings taken in spring.

Of all the care of the weeping willow bonsai that we have mentioned, perhaps the two most important are the location and the irrigation. Also the observation of pests and diseases. If you manage to keep this under control, you should have no problem having your precious bonsai from spring, when the leaves begin to sprout and offer you a very beautiful sight.

Have you ever seen a weeping willow bonsai?

Weeping Willow Bonsai Care | Gardening On

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