Bonsai Palm

Tips and Techniques on Growing and Caring

Bonsai palm is one of the most interesting species to be grown as bonsai. The palm offers a wide varieties of species to choose from, approximately 2500.

Palms are generally restricted to the tropical, sub-tropical and temperate climates of the world.

With there large leaves and a single stem system palms give a very ornamental look when grown as bonsai. Palms make a good choice for growing bonsai in the formal upright style.

These make good choice for beginners as they are easy to care for. Being a tropical plant palm tends to be more weather hardy , although like any other species they need to be protected from harsh winters, especially from chilly winds and frosts.

Bonsai Palm Care

Sunlight

Palm should not be grown in direct sunlight; it should ideally be grown in a shade or a place which gets indirect sunlight. Certain varieties like Parlor palms require even lesser sunlight.

Watering

Palms, being a tropical plant do not require a lot of water, as they are naturally adaptable to arid conditions. The best ways to water your palms is to first water it thoroughly and then leave it till the time the soil becomes dry again. Frequent watering could result in root rot and would be detrimental to the plant.

Soil

Palm requires soil with good drainage capabilities, hence a soil with good mix of granules, sand and normal soil would make a good mix for growing it as bonsai. You may also consider putting in some sphagnum moss in the bonsai container housing the bonsai plant.

Fertilizers

Palm bonsai needs to be fertilized in small amounts all round the year, and during the summer season it would be advisable to feed them a little more.

Pruning

Palms tend to have longer leaves hence it would take some effort on your part to prune the plant regularly so as to keep it in shape. Make sure that you remove any yellow leaves present in the plant.

Repotting

Certain palm species grow there roots fast and would need to be repotted more frequently while others do not need as much of repotting.

Root pruning may be carried out during the time of repotting. You may cut down multiple plant roots by 1/3rd of the existing size.

Some palm species like the Sago palm have a pattern where in new leaves tend to be longer that the old ones. To cope with larger leaf size you could keep the plant in direct sunlight, and further more you may consider keeping the bonsai palm in a smaller pot and carrying out root and leaf trimming exercises more often.

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