The birch is undoubtedly one of the most expressive and picturesque plants in nature. If you want the decorative tree in your own home, you can definitely be successful with a bonsai. Although birch trees are considered rather capricious bonsai trees, with a little commitment and the right conditions they certainly thrive.
A birch needs a lot of light, especially as an indoor plant
Birch as a houseplant - yes or no?
Basically, the birch is one of the pioneer plants in nature: As a true artist of life, it colonizes even inhospitable areas and can withstand harsh conditions. In contrast, the birch in the pot is known to be rather difficult. That doesn't mean it's not worth trying, though, as with the right location and good care, it can produce impressive dwarf trees. The most important thing for the birch as a houseplant is a location that is as bright as possible. The trees are extremely light-hungry and prefer sunny semi-shade outdoors. In a rather dark apartment, a different type would certainly be more suitable.
Grow bonsai birch
If you have decided on a birch as a houseplant, you can either buy the tree directly as container goods, or cultivate it yourself step by step with the following variants:
- Grow the birch from seed.
- Bring out a cutting from a branch.
- Plant a cutting.
proper care
Whichever option you choose: In order to slow down the birch in its usually very rapid growth, you should not give it a pot that is too large. Start with the size of an ordinary cleaning bucket and only increase the dimensions sparingly with the annual repotting. Because the following applies: The more the roots can develop, the more the growth of the entire tree is stimulated. On the other hand, depriving the plant of light or water is not a good way to keep it small. In addition to sufficient sun, bonsai birches need a constantly moist substrate, otherwise they can die.
Pruning of the house birch
Your room birch does not make any great demands on the cut. You should only pay attention to the right time and only shorten the sapling in the autumn season. In spring and summer, the birch could "bleed to death" because the sap stream pushes intensely into the tips and would cause the tree to lose a lot of water. Simply cut the crown nicely into shape, the birch will already give you the contour with its natural growth.