The Chinese orange bonsai is not only famous for its fruits. Likewise, it is thanks to its flower called orange blossom. The latter gives off a pleasant smell during twilight since insects that pollinate are active at that time of day.
The citrus bonsai is a tropical and subtropical tree. It does very well in Mediterranean climates. It is part of the orange trees. Citrus Bonsai is very attractive for its white flowering and its orange fruits.
- Genus: Citrus
- Bonsai Leaf Type: PERENNIAL LEAF
- Flowerpot or pot of bonsai: made of ENAMELED CLAY that combines with the flowers and fruits.
- Compost type: 50% coarse-grained sand or equivalent material (volcanic earth, etc.), together with 25% kanuma and 25% mulch, the perfect BONSAI FERTILIZER.
The Citrus genus encompasses different very popular species, such as orange, lemon, mandarin, and other lesser-known ones. They are evergreen and medium-growing trees.
These trees can adapt to the regions of the planet located between 40º north latitude and 40º south latitude. They are quite widespread and have been cultivated by humans for centuries.
Citrus fruits are very easy to graft. For this reason, almost all crops for commercial use are obtained by grafting the cultivable species. This results in more resistant plants. From a bonsai point of view, this ability to graft makes it possible to better design miniature trees, placing branches where they are needed.
Within this genus, the best-known plants are oranges (Sinensis), Chinese oranges (japonica), bitter oranges (reticulata), lemons (citruslimón), grapefruits (citrus paradise), limes (citrusaurantifolia), grapefruits (citrusmedica) and dwarf oranges or kumquats (citrus margarita).
Many consider that there are only three original citrus fruits: lime, grapefruit, and mandarin. The others are hybrid species resulting from the ease of grafting these plants, as well as from the pollination of their flowers that allows the recombination of genetic material.
It is an excellent bonsai. In addition, it adapts very well to the Spanish climate. Regions like Valencia are famous for their citrus crops. In such places, these small trees are very well maintained. That is why people look for them and want to have them in their homes.
The Citrus Bonsai Comes from the FAMILY
Rutaceae. This family of Rutaceae is characterized by encompassing angiosperm plants. In it, about 160 genera and 1,600 species are grouped. They are woody plant organisms, with alternate or opposite leaves. Among its species are Balfourodendron, Casimiroa, Galipea, Dictamnus, Fagara, Galipea, Haplophyllum, Murraya, Ruta, Zanthoxylum, and of course the Citrus.
Scientific name
Its scientific name is Citrusco
Citrus Types and Species | Common names
Within the Bonsai Family we can find the following species:
Bonsai Citrus also known as Citrus sp | Orange bonsai, Bonsai citrus calamondin, bonsai citrus, Bonsai kumquat, bonsai citrus sp. Bonsai myrtifolia, Bonsai citrus fortunella, Chinese mandarin bonsai, Bonsai lemon or lemon bonsai Limequat, Bonsai citrus paradise or bonsai grapefruit, Bonsai citrus reticulata or mandarin bonsai, Bonsai citrus Aurantium bonsai orange bitter, Bonsai citrus sine bonsai or bonsai sweet citrus sine bonsai.
What is the ORIGIN of Bonsai Citrus?
The bonsai orange tree (and all citrus trees) are of Asian origin.
What is the best LOCATION and the best CLIMATE for Bonsai Citrus?
Although it is an outdoor bonsai, it happens that a good orange tree bonsai with fruits must be protected from the strong sun at noon. In wintertime it resists frost, but it is advisable to avoid temperatures below -2ºC.
By placing them outdoors in sunlight, we prevent them from contracting diseases that may affect their proper development. Natural and constant sunlight is also very important for it to produce flowers and fruits correctly and abundantly. Although they also need cold, they do not support strong frosts, so in times of harsh winter, it is very important to protect them by placing them indoors during the strongest frosts.
HOW TO CARE FOR A Citrus Bonsai? | Basic Care
Every owner of one of these plants must take care of the Bonsai that allows having the beauty of this miniature tree. We mean that if you want your bonsai to bear fruit or have flowers, it is mandatory to have well-fertilized soil and do transplants in a row. It is important in this case to grow citrus bonsai step by step. This is very common in those who plant a bonsai lemon tree from seed (bonsai lemon tree from seed) as well as orange trees.
Bonsai Style
It is an ideal tree for vertical styles with a naturalistic look. For example: Chokkan, Moyogi, Shakkan, Fukinagashi, or Sokan.
Bonsai temperature
It is a bonsai of temperate climates. In this case, the lowest temperature it can bear is -2 degrees Celsius. If the area in which we live has very strong sun, we must avoid exposing it for many hours as this alters its health, so it is recommended to put shade cloth on it, avoiding direct sunlight.
What is the right type of Substrate for Bonsai Citrus
Being among the fruit bonsai, it requires a substrate mixture of 50% coarse-grained sand or equivalent material (volcanic earth, etc.), along with 25% kanuma and 25% mulch.
How much and how often to Water the Citrus Bonsai
The dwarf orange tree (sometimes called the citrus bonsai) needs to be watered abundantly in summer. The detail is that it implies the issue of not wetting the flowers, as the liquid damages them. The irrigation of citrus bonsai is very similar to that of all bonsai species. During the summer, watering should be daily or inter-daily depending on the temperature to avoid flooding the roots too much, as this would cause them to rot. While during the winter, the watering should be much less constant and prolonged.
When to pay the Citrus Bonsai
It must be paid from spring to autumn. In addition, it is necessary to avoid fertilizing it during flowering. Instead, enhance this fertilizer during fruiting. When we notice that our citrus has yellow leaves and green nerves, it means that it lacks iron, so it is time to use a greening product.
When to transplant Bonsai
The transplant of this bonsai is done twice a year. In late winter in early spring. An enameled bonsai pot prepared and prepared is recommended for each change of land.
The frequency of transplanting the bonsai should be more or less every 2 years, this must be done specifically at the end of winter before the new branches sprout. With the transplant, we renew the substrate since if it is missing, our citrus can age very quickly.
At the time of transplantation, the roots should be checked and those that are dead or in poor condition cut off. The substrate that we use during the transplant must have acid characteristics since this is the favorite characteristic of these plants.
When and How to Prune a Citrus Bonsai
It should be pruned when the stem has reached 4 to 6 pairs of leaves. You have to cut leaving just one or two.
Citrus pruning should be done during the winter before the new branches and leaves of our tree begin to sprout. Pruning must be done very carefully since if we cut all the old branches, we could leave the tree without flowers or fruits throughout the year since these are produced on the old branches.
About the Wiring and Clamping of the Citrus Bonsai
Wiring can be done throughout the year, but be careful in spring, when growth is very fast and the wire can leave a mark. Clamping can be done at the same time as pruning. Citrus bonsai is not an ideal or suitable species for wiring because its bark is smooth and for this reason, it tends to be easily marked, thus losing part of its great aesthetic appeal.
Citrus Bonsai Diseases and Solutions
It tends to suffer from fungal disease when it has a lot of moisture in the roots. In this case, it is recommended to use a pot with good drainage.
When does Bonsai Citrus bear fruit?
Many people ask how to grow orange bonsai or any other citrus bonsai for the taste of its fruits. Keep in mind that these plants usually bear fruit when they reach 5 or 7 years of age. This usually happens between March and April.
When does Bonsai Citrus give flowers?
Before the appearance of the fruits, that is to say between January and March.
Bonsai Accessories
It is important to have bonsai tools that allow transplantation and fertilization. All fruit and flower trees require nutrients in the soil to do this process. Likewise, have a ceramic pot to sow it and with good capacity to drain the water.