A bonsai tree is a type of tree which has been reduced in size by pruning and training. The art of bonsai cultivation originated in China, where it was practiced as early as 600 AD. Today, this fascinating hobby is popular all over the world with enthusiasts from every continent except Antarctica.
There are many different species of plants that can be used to create these miniature trees; one such example is the Picea Mariana Bonsai Tree. This article will provide you with Picea Mariana Bonsai care guide so you can make sure they grow healthy and strong!
Picea Mariana Bonsai
The Picea Mariana Bonsai (from the Latin word for black spruce) is a tree that is native to North America. It can be found in the wild in Canada and the United States. This evergreen tree can grow up to 65 feet tall, but it is often used as a bonsai because of its smaller size. The leaves of the Picea Mariana Bonsai are flat and needle-like.
They can grow up to about 1.5 inches long. The Picea Mariana Bonsai has twigs that are reddish-brown in color, which is where it gets its name from (bark). It also has small white blossoms on the branches.
Picea Mariana Bonsai Varieties
There are many different varieties of the Picea Mariana Tree, including:
- Blue Shaggy Dwarf
- Canadian Black
- Colorado Blue Spruce
- Dwarf Alberta Spruce
- Graceful Weeper
- Intermountain White Spruce
- Lodgepole Pine
- Misty Dawn weeping spruce
- Parson’s Weeper
- Pygmy Alberta Spruce
- Rising Sun weeping spruce
- Royalty Purple Robe spruce
- Sierra Lodgepole pine
Picea Mariana Bonsai Care Guide
Watering the Picea Mariana bonsai can be done once a week or every three days. You just need to wait until the soil starts feeling dry before watering again. The leaves will droop when there is not enough water, so you will know when it is time to water again. Fertilizing the tree should be done once a month during the growing season. You can use a balanced fertilizer or one that is specific for evergreens.
The Picea Mariana bonsai needs to be repotted every two to four years, depending on the growth rate. The soil should be well drained and you can use a mixture of potting soil and sand.
It is also important to protect the tree from cold weather conditions. If you live in an area where the temperature drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to move the tree indoors or cover it with a frost cloth.
Picea Mariana bonsai make beautiful indoor plants, so adding one to your collection would be a good choice. Their needle-like foliage is very attractive and they can live up to 100 years if cared for properly.
How to Make a Picea Mariana Bonsai
It is important to first study the growth patterns of the Picea before making any cuts. The branches usually grow in whorls, which make it easier to provide an even canopy upon shaping.
Shaping should be done throughout the entire life of the tree for best results. The leaves need to be pinched off so that new buds will grow during springtime, leading to denser foliage. After about four years, there should be enough foliage for pruning and wiring techniques.
If the tree is shaped properly, it should resemble an upright tree with short needles. It is very important to make sure that the bonsai has enough sunlight. It needs six hours of direct sun or eight hours of indirect sunlight daily.
It is very rare for Picea Mariana to produce seeds, but if they do, you would want to plant them outside in early springtime. The trees are usually grown from cuttings or cones.
Using Fertilizer
Fertilizer is an important part of taking care of a Picea Mariana bonsai. A good fertilizer will help the tree grow strong and healthy. There are many different types of fertilizers on the market, so it can be difficult to choose the right one.
When choosing a fertilizer, it is important to consider the age of the tree. Young trees need a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, while older trees need one that is high in potassium. It is also important to choose a fertilizer that is low in salts, as too much salt can damage a tree.
Most fertilizers come with directions on how much to use. It is important to follow these instructions, as too much fertilizer can be harmful to a tree. In general, it is best to fertilize a tree once a month during the growing season.
If you are not sure which fertilizer to choose, ask your local bonsai club or nursery for advice. They will be able to recommend a fertilizer that is right for your tree.
Best Fertilizer Ratio
In general, a good fertilizer for Picea mariana bonsai is one that has a 3-1-2 ratio. This means that the fertilizer contains three parts nitrogen, one part phosphorous and two parts potassium. The nitrogen helps develop leaves and branches while the phosphorus encourages root growth and flower development. Potassium promotes overall health in the plant.
Any fertilizer with this ratio will be a very balanced diet for your bonsai Picea Mariana tree. You can also try Miracle-Gro. It is a balanced fertilizer that contains all three components. It can be found at most local grocery stores or home improvement retailers, making it easy to find and use.
Picea Mariana soil mixture
The best way to give your Picea mariana bonsai its recommended dose of fertilizer is by mixing it into the soil. If you take your Picea mariana outside during spring, summer and autumn, scatter some fertilizer on the surface of the soil. This will give your tree a good dose of nitrogen while it is actively growing new leaves and branches.
You can also fertilize indoors during winter by placing some fertilizer granules in a bag with some water and attaching the bag to the outside of the pot with a rubber band or twine. Leave this overnight so that the water can absorb into the fertilizer granules. In the morning, shake some flour onto your bonsai Picea mariana’s soil.
Shaping Picea Mariana
Picea Mariana is a popular species for bonsai because of its attractive needles and slow growth. It can be shaped into many different styles, making it a versatile tree for bonsai enthusiasts. In order to shape Picea Mariana, you must first understand the basic guidelines for pruning trees.
The goal when pruning any tree is to create a pleasing shape while also encouraging healthy growth. In general, you should prune sparingly in order to maintain the health of the tree. When pruning Picea Mariana, remember these key points:
- Prune during late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
- Cut branches back to a lateral bud or leave a stub.
- Picea Mariana leaves all year so it is important to prune through the growing season. The tree should be shaped in an organic, flowing style and make sure not to over-prune with severe angles or cuts.
Pruning is necessary in order to encourage strong and dense growth and remove any unwanted branching. This will create a smaller canopy and reduce leaf size; ideal for bonsai cultivation. To control the direction of new branches, cut back one branch at a time instead of cutting away large sections of the tree at once (coppicing).
Pruning branches closer to their point of origin will produce dense foliage. Always select branches that grow towards the outside edge of the tree, as opposed to those that grow inward.
In addition to pruning, wiring can be used to help shape the tree. Wiring is a process where a thin metal wire is wrapped around the desired branch and then bent into the desired position.
The wire should be left in place for several months until the branch has grown into its new shape. Remove the wire by gently unwrapping it; do not pull on it or you may damage the branch.
With a little care and patience, you can create an attractive and well-shaped Picea Mariana bonsai using these basic guidelines.
Things to Remember
- Spruce bonsai should have the top of the tree slanting down to allow water to drain off.
- The trunk and branches should be relatively thick for a Picea Mariana bonsai, as this species does not thicken well with age.
- Needles are placed in clusters of 5 or 7 needles with 2 being at the tip. This is another characteristic that distinguishes it from its look alike cousin, Norway spruce ( Picea abies ), which has 3 needles per cluster.
- Needles are typically dark green with white underneath when exposed to sunlight. This can easily be seen by looking at photos of seedlings on the Internet where the exposed side is paler than the side in the shade.
- Branchlets will droop somewhat as they grow and should be trimmed to maintain the desired shape.
- Picea Mariana bonsai thrive in full or partial sunshine.
- When choosing a pot for your spruce, be sure to select one with a drain hole. If you don’t have a pot with a drain hole, you can drill one yourself.
- Other kinds of Spruce bonsai trees may require more or less sun.
- Picea Mariana bonsai are best watered when the soil is dry to touch and then thoroughly soaked until water comes out of the drain hole in the pot.
- Water sparingly during winter months only if you live in a warm climate, otherwise let it be completely dormant (no water or light).
- Picea Mariana bonsai should be fertilized once every month during the growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer and follow directions on packaging for amounts, as it varies depending on your climate zone and pot size.
Factors that affects the health of Picea Mariana Bonsai
- Location: The health of a Picea Mariana Bonsai is affected by the location in which it is situated. If the tree is too close to a heat source, such as a fireplace or radiator, it can dry out and die. Additionally, if the tree is placed in direct sunlight, it can suffer from sunburn.
- Soil: It is important that the soil in which a Picea Mariana Bonsai is planted is well-drained and has a pH level that is slightly acidic. If the tree is not planted in the correct type of soil, it can become root-bound and stunt its growth.
- Watering: Picea Mariana bonsai should not be watered very often. This tree likes drier climates so it would require infrequent watering practices. Overwatering can cause root rot, so it is important to be patient and wait for the soil to dry out before watering again.
- Fertilizing: A Picea Mariana Bonsai should be fertilized once a month during the spring and summer months using a balanced fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can harm the tree.
- Pruning: Pruning is an important part of taking care of a Picea Mariana Bonsai. The branches should be pruned in the early spring before new growth begins. Dead wood should also be removed periodically.
Why choose Picea Mariana as a Bonsai?
One of the reasons to choose a Picea Mariana as a Bonsai is that it is hardy and can tolerate many conditions. It also grows quickly, so it can be trained into the desired shape relatively easily.
Additionally, its needles retain their color well throughout the year, making it a beautiful addition to any landscape. Finally, Picea Mariana is resistant to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance option for those who want a Bonsai tree.
Costing and Maintenance
This is a very simple, low budget bonsai. Though it may be easy to do, that does not mean that it does not require special attention! This is the only plant you will need to water quite often.
Try to water this plant everyday in hot weather, and 2-3 times per week when cool. It can also be misted 1-2 days per week for extra humidity (not necessarily an issue in cold climates).
Fertilize once or twice a month with 10-15-10 fertilizer (or something close). If you notice any brown needles growing out of the green tips of your tree after around 1 month, you should prune them off immediately.
Picea Mariana is a great tree for beginners, and it can be very rewarding to see it grow! With a little bit of effort, you can create an amazing bonsai from this spruce. Thanks for reading!
