- Grow copper beech as bonsai
- This is how you achieve a beautiful bonsai shape
- How to care for your bonsai copper beech
- Be careful when wiring
Copper beeches with their colorful red-brown foliage also cut a fine figure as bonsai. The tree is very pruning tolerant and can be cut into almost any desired shape. Tips for caring for copper beeches as bonsai.
The copper beech is a very special bonsai because of its beautiful red leaves
Grow copper beech as bonsai
All bonsai forms are possible with the copper beech. In addition to the simple forest style, double trunks and multiple trunks also have a very decorative effect.
Choose a sufficiently large bowl, which absolutely must have good drainage. The copper beech does not tolerate waterlogging. Lay down a thin layer of drainage.
A bonsai mixture of hummus, Akadama and lava rock is suitable as a plant substrate.
This is how you achieve a beautiful bonsai shape
The copper beech is repotted every two years. The root ball is shortened more. The best time for repotting is early spring.
Cut the copper beech into shape before it sprout. Shorten the twigs so that there is a 1 cm piece of branch above each eye.
The copper beech sprout again in June. These shoots, called St. John's shoots, are removed entirely.
How to care for your bonsai copper beech
- Water regularly
- fertilize
- don't put too much shade
The root ball should never dry out completely. Water regularly, but be sure to avoid waterlogging.
From the moment they sprout, the bonsai needs regular fertilizer in the pot. A long-term fertilizer is just as good as a fertilizer that is given weekly.
In a very shady place, the bonsai develops larger leaves. Therefore, place the copper beech in a location that is as sunny as possible.
Be careful when wiring
As long as the shoots are still young, you can wire the bonsai copper beech into the desired shape. Be careful when doing this, as the bark is easily damaged. To be on the safe side, wrap them in raffia before wiring.
You can only wire older shoots under great pressure. There is a risk that the wire will grow in. It is better not to wire these branches so as not to damage the bonsai.
tips
Copper beeches are hardy, also as bonsai. Nevertheless, you should protect the shell from frost if you overwinter the bonsai copper beech outside. Alternatively, you can take them out of the tray and plant them in the garden until spring.