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It may be a tree that you think of more often as a Christmas tree , but the world is that spruce is an evergreen coniferous tree with plenty of other uses , too .
Not only is it prized for role in woodwork , but spruce is also a pop bonsai plant . Growing up to 200 metrical unit marvelous when ripe , these trees can be trained to a diminutive few inches in the bonsai civilization .
There are several types of spruce bonsai you could grow , let in the democratic Norway spruce bonsai tree , profane spruce , and the Dwarf Alberta spruce , but all of them are easy to produce . Here ’s what you need to know .
Interesting Facts about Spruce Bonsai
Types of Spruce Bonsai Tree
Spruce trees come down into thePiceafamily . Here are some of the most popular type of picea bonsai trees .
Picea abies
P. abies , or three Norway titivate bonsai tree , is traditionally used as a Christmas tree and has scarlet brown bark and shiny unripe needle . The Norway spruce bonsai tree is hardy in zones 2B through 7a , make it a honorable choice for northern bonsai growers . Of course , it can also be train indoors .
There are several cultivars of the Norway spruce bonsai tree that can be used in bonsai , too , includingP. abies albertiana ‘ conica , ’ P. genus Abies ‘ Echiniformis’(a natural dwarf miscellanea that grows slowly and produces more densely - packed foliage),P. abies‘Little Gem , ’ ( prized for its tiny needles ) andP. abies ‘ Nidiformis . ’
Some other cultivars of the Norway spruce bonsai tree to consider include :
Picea engelmannii
This kind of spruce is love as Blue Engelmann spruce or dwarf Alberta informant . Hardy to zone 3 , it has fragrant needles that smell like camphor when they are jam . It ’s great for indoor maturation and also produces delicate orange strobilus .
The nanus Alberta spruce is a cross of the Norway spruce and European spruce . The little hummock size of it and newfangled growth make it ideal for a bonsai tree , while the old wood provides a unattackable foundation for structural pruning .
Picea glauca
P. glauca , or white spruce , has blue green needles that are somewhat setose to the touch . It is stout in zone 2 - 5 and has a fresh fragrance . It ’s important to mention that this spruce bonsai tree does not do well in the heat .
There are several cultivars ofP. glaucafor you to consider as well , including :
Picea glehnii
This sort of spruce bonsai is recognise by many other names including silver fir tree , Edo spruce , common Ezo spruce , and Sakhalin slick up . While it ’s popular in Japan , it may be harder to acquire in the United States because of export law .
Picea jezoensis
Also known as Yezo spruce , H ondo spruce , jezo spruce , or Yeddo spruce , this type of spruce for bonsai is audacious to zone 5 and need to be get in somewhat shady conditions .
Picea mariana
Also known as black spruce , this species can also be found with a dwarf cultivar , ‘ Nana . ’ It grows in a minute manikin and also come in a weeping form . It is sturdy in zone 4 - 7 .
Picea orientalis
Known as Caucausain or Oriental spruce , this kind of spruce is perfect for bonsai because it has alone purple cones and inadequate needles . It is hardy to zone 5 and when happen mature in the wilderness , can grow to 50 foot or more . It ’s one of the best option if you plan on using it as a bonsai specimen in a hot , humid surroundings .
Picea oungens
Also know as Montgomery spruce , this kind of bonsai Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has blueish phonograph needle and naturally mature in a compact form , make it perfect for bonsai .
Picea pungens
You might see this kind of spruce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree referred to as ‘ River Road ’ or as Colorado blue spruce . The Colorado blue spruce can grow to zone 3 and survive some of the highest altitudes .
The Colorado blueing spruce s one of the most popular evergreen tree in the Northern Hemisphere ? It has a decided silver - blue foliage mass that stand up out in any landscape , and its rough barque and strong branch structure make it a visually likable Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for geomorphologic pruning and offshoot selection .
The cambium layer of a Colorado blue spruce is creditworthy for its active emergence and equaliser vim , which is crucial during the raise time of year . During the other fountain , when the blue spruce tree is still in the dormant level , it can withstand freezing temperatures and cold weather .
As presently as the weather warm up , active growth commence for the blue spruce , and the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree enters its prime growing season . This is the best time to move a spruce bonsai tree diagram into a young emplacement for give it enough calorie-free exposure and assure it receives good afternoon subtlety and dawning sun .
As tardy summertime approaches , the Colorado blue spruce begins to slow down its growth and prepare for the winter time of year . It is during this time that the spruce leg become a popular choice for Christmas trees due to their durability and traditional coming into court .
Picea rubens
genus Picea rubens , or ruddy spruce , can also develop at gamey altitudes and has adorable rich majestic bark that turns ruby-red on old tree and gray at high altitudes . It has aromatic candles that reek just like Malus pumila .
Picea sitchensis
This variety of spruce is oft referred to as Sitka spruce and is the fastest growing spruce in the world , complete for us impatient bonsai hobbyists !
Picea torana
Picea torana , also know as the tiger - buns spruce , is a stunning addition to any garden . This beautiful Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can be found thriving in up to zone 6 of the northern cerebral hemisphere , bringing an impressive foliage mass and rough barque to any landscape .
When it comes to cultivating this tree , it ’s important to deliberate the cambium layer – the thin stratum of electric cell just inside the bark that is responsible for actuate nutrients and body of water throughout the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . maintain a balance of energy between the cambium layer and the relaxation of the tree is primal to keeping your Picea torana healthy .
When it come to outdoor locating , Picea torana prefer a location that make enough light but also offers some afternoon shade to protect it from freezing temperatures and insensate weather . For adept results , place it in the morning Sunday to encourage combat-ready growth during the raise season .
Growing Spruce Bonsai from Seed or by Propagation
Spruce tree can be broadcast both from seed and cuttings . cutting are well direct in the later summertime .
How to Care for Spruce Bonsai
Here are somebonsai precaution tipsyou can come after :
Sunlight
rate your rakish bonsai tree diagram in full sun during the grow season . It can tolerate either direct or indirect light source . During the winter month , however , when the works is dormant , put it in a bit of shade . If you are spring up this bonsai tree diagram outside , render it with some protection from the frost . When its roots become frozen , it wo n’t be as skilful at experience piss to the foliage and it can thus dry out out .
Watering
As soon as you notice the filth has begun to dry out , irrigate your spruce bonsai . Avoid keeping the roots sluggish but ensure adequate moisture is provided even during the winter month .
Fertilizing
you may use asolid organic fertilizeronce a month or a limpid fertilizer every seven to ten day . Spruce bonsai trees benefit from fertilizers that are design specifically to feed the leaves , usually with chelates , iron , and high degree of nitrogen to improve the color and growth of the leafage .
Potting and Repotting
repot your spruce bonsai should be done once every three years for newer , younger Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . For older trees , you’re able to wait longer , usually every four or five year , since the growth will be slower . To do this , just prune the roots slightly , removing no more than a third of their growth . Use a well - draining ground mix when you put the trimmed plant in a new container .
Pruning Spruce Bonsai
Spruce bonsai has a unique whorled practice of increase , causing several arm to grow at the exact same height on the trunk of the tree . To prune your bonsai , you should remove all but one outgrowth . you could also tweet unexampled shoots in the spring while they are still soft .
If you postulate to cut back longer branches , just abridge them so they are smaller sprig near the proboscis . Leave buds and phonograph needle on branches you intend to keep .
Pests and Diseases
There are several pests and disease to which spruce up bonsai is regrettably prostrate . Watch out for plague like green spruce aphids , tittivate spider speck , and source needle miners , along with fungal diseases like rust fungus .
All of these are substantially keep by growing your spruce bonsai indoors and following the step listed above for give care for your plant . A healthy plant life will be able-bodied to defy disease and pest infestation with ease .
If gadfly and fungal disease become too much for your tree to bear and are causing serious hurt , stunted ontogenesis , or defoliation , you could use a pesticide or antifungal to get rid of them .
Where to Buy Spruce Bonsai
you could buy spruce tree diagram for bonsai anywhere you would ordinarily purchase spruce tree for cultivation in the landscape . Shop your local Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree nursery or online at your preferent bonsai specialization shop for tree that were grown from certified origin .
See moretypes of bonsai trees with picturesif you ’re concerned in growing bonsai .
References
Reference list :
1 . Oregon State University Landscape Plants ( n.d . ) . “ Picea abies . ” Retrieved from : https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu / plants / genus Picea - abies
2 . NC State Extension ( n.d . ) . “ Picea glauca ‘ Conica . ’ ” retrieve from : https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu / industrial plant / picea - glauca - conica/
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