An orange tree bonsai does not differ too much from an ordinary one. With the exception of size, the same scheme of the usual tree is repeated, the one that gives juicy oranges to enjoy in juices and desserts, and that in spring blooms giving us a flower with an exquisite aroma.
The only thing that must be taken into account when making a macrobonsai orange tree is the pot or receptacle in which it will settle, because in these cases it must be wide and shallow so that the tree feels limited and then does not develop too much , adopting the typical characteristics of any macrobonsai tree.
Today we will give you some step-by-step tips so that you know how to make an orange bonsai tree at home, in a simple way.
Climate and exposure for your orange bonsai
Before you start creating your bonsai, study where you plan to place the tree, as it should be sunny. The ideal is a humid and temperate climate, avoiding places with very low temperatures and frosts.
However, if the weather is hot, try to get the morning and afternoon light, but not the noon, which is the strongest. On the other hand, if the weather is cold, try to get it to get as many hours of light as possible. Sowing should be done in spring, as the mild climate of the time helps in the initial growth phase.
Pot suitable for orange bonsai
To make bonsai plants, always choose a small, wide-mouthed, shallow pot to prevent the roots from spreading too far. In this way, you will control their growth much better, both in volume and in height.
You can use pots of different sizes and shapes: rectangular, circular, oval, etc. That will depend on your taste and the decoration of the corner that your little orange tree bonsai will occupy.
Substrate for orange bonsai
Fill the pot with soil with a pH between 5 and 8, that is rich in nutrients and with good drainage, but that retains moisture well. Too acidic or alkaline soils can corrode the roots which would spoil our bonsai.
You can place some stones at the bottom of the pot, to prevent the earth from blocking the drain and causing puddles, as this could rot the root. We must also be careful with excess lime or salts in the soil, as it can cause the leaves to yellow and look weak.
Planting the orange bonsai
Now is the time to plant the dwarf orange bonsai. To do this, plant the seeds (obtained during winter or early spring from any fruit) 1 cm deep.
Another option is to plant from semi-mature cuttings or by layering, that is, from an orange tree root. In this case, you will have to make a hole in the earth and place them in the center of the pot and then cover them with the earth, so that the root is completely covered.
Irrigation of the orange bonsai
Water your plant regularly, as the orange bonsai needs to thrive in a humid habitat. Distribute the water in a balanced way throughout the pot and avoid excess water, as this tree does not tolerate puddles. It may be useful to follow the following guidelines:
- In the winter, water the bonsai every 2-3 days
- In the rest of the year, do it once a day. If the weather is very hot in summer, you can increase that frequency a little
Fertilizer for orange bonsai
Fertilize the soil every week with a special liquid bonsai fertilizer to enrich it and promote the development of your bonsai orange tree. You can also choose to water it every 15 days with some liquid fertilizer that you can prepare yourself at home.
This type of fertilizer will help a lot the growth of the tree, but you should not apply the liquid to the dry soil, but it must be moistened before.
Orange bonsai care and pruning
Clean the bonsai orange tree from dust and cobwebs to avoid the attack of pests and diseases. Fruit trees tend to attract a lot of insects, so don’t take your attention away from them as they are prone to pests.
Pruning bonsai is one of the main keys to maintaining its characteristic size, and it is classified into:
Maintenance pruning: also called pinching. This pruning is intended to maintain and perfect the structure of the tree. It should be done throughout the growing season.
Modeling pruning: involves pruning the largest branches, and should be done in late fall or early spring. Preferably, use a concave pruner, in order to improve the healing of the cut, and use sealing paste in the area of the cut, to avoid infections in that part of the plant.
Try to prune the branches and thorns when you see that their size increases a lot, always trying to maintain the same natural shape of the crown, but to measure.
In very few steps you have learned the main techniques to make a bonsai step step. Today we show you making an orange macrobonsai, but keep in mind that you can make a bonsai from any tree. Making a bonsai is not complicated, but as you can see it requires a lot of special care, so you should spend time on it.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to make an orange tree bonsai, we recommend that you enter our macrobonsai category.
