If you have fallen in love with the cotoneaster but don't have much space left in the garden for this groundcover, a bonsai is a space-saving alternative. But what requirements does such a plant have?

Proven Varieties

Whether for the garden, the balcony or the terrace, there is not only one variety among the cotoneasters that is suitable for bonsai design. The most popular varieties include:

  • Cotonester horizontalis
  • cotonaester preacox
  • Cotonaester microphyllus
  • Cotonaester conspicuus
  • Cotonester congestus

Convincing characteristics of the cotoneaster as a bonsai

These are the characteristics that make the cotoneaster an ideal bonsai:

  • absolutely compatible with cuts
  • good, quick sprouting
  • small, shiny leaves
  • decorative flowers and fruits (caution: poisonous)
  • small, compact growth
  • wireable all year round

What care does the cotoneaster bonsai require?

The cotoneaster is considered easy to care for. But as a bonsai, it requires more effort. While it should be repotted and given a root pruning every two to three years before spring budding, it is important to regularly trim, wire, water and fertilize it.

cutting and wiring

Wiring this bonsai is always possible. Up to three-year-old branches can be brought into shape. When cutting, the following should be observed:

  • Prune regularly (to two nodes) for more branching and a compact shape
  • cut back young bonsai by half (use the branches for propagation, for example)
  • Remove older branches in spring when they are sprouting

watering and fertilizing

Between May and September, the cotoneaster should be watered generously. She needs a lot of water. Even in winter, the soil should be kept slightly moist. Ideally, fertilizer should be applied from March to September every two weeks in the form of liquid fertilizer or a special bonsai fertilizer.

Which location meets your requirements?

The location should be airy in summer and sheltered in winter. A sunny to partially shaded location would be ideal. This plant does not make any outstanding demands on the substrate. It should only be well drained. A special bonsai soil is well suited.

tips and tricks

Do not water the bonsai too much in spring. Too much water in the cotoneaster bonsai leads to leaves that are too large and branches that are too long.

KKF

Category:

Vegetable garden