Learning How to Grow a Ligustrum Bonsai

Ligustrum bonsai is an admirable miniature tree to grow. It is native to the woodlands and
bushes of North America, Asia, Australia, Himalayas, and Europe. Ligustrum or Privet has
about 50 species and each tree species have their own form and color of leaves. Ligustrum
bonsai produce beautiful scented white flowers and it also bears a small round fruit.

Here are some of the most popular ligustrum tree species grown as a miniature tree:

' Oval Leaf Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)

' Japanese or Wax Privet (L. japonicum)

' Common Privet (L. Vulgare)

' Glossy Privet or Rapid Growing (L. lucidum)

' Chinese Privet (L. sinense)

' L. recurvifolium

Everyone can grow a ligustrum bonsai as long as you have basic knowledge in growing it.
Here are some important facts you should know about growing a ligustrum bonsai:

' Grow your little ligustrum tree in a container that has drainage holes because this will help
prevent clogging of water inside the pot.

' Avoid standing water in the pot for your miniature tree because water can still get to the root
system, especially if you are using a saucer or tray under the pot of the miniature tree.

' Ligustrum bonsai does not require a specific soil mixture, but you should make use of soil
that its components will promote good drainage.

' Provide your miniature tree with sufficient amounts of water. You must not allow your little
tree to be extremely dry because it will suffer from dehydration, which is a very fatal
condition to it.

' When you water your ligustrum bonsai, it is recommended that you use a water container
that has fine nozzle to prevent washing out of the soil from the container of the miniature tree.

' Expose your little tree to morning sunlight because this is good for them, it will help your
little tree to produce their own food without causing damage to its leaves. But you must
provide shade to your miniature tree during midday and afternoon because the sun rays are
very strong and it can cause burning of the leaves.

' Feed your miniature tree with an all purpose fertilizer. Usually you have to feed the
miniature tree twice a month during the season of growth, and apply fertilizer to your indoor
bonsai once a month during the winter period. But be sure that you read the manufacturer's
instruction printed over the label so that you will not give too much or too less fertilizer to
your miniature tree.
' Repotting your ligustrum bonsai should be done every year. But you can check the roots of
your ligustrum bonsai on a regular basis so that you can change the container of the little tree
as early as possible, and prevent pot bound.

' Trimming your ligustrum bonsai should be done during the growth season, and hard pruning
should be performed during the late part of winter or early part of spring.

' It's up to you either to use copper or aluminum wire in wiring the branches and trunk of your
miniature tree. You can perform wiring from spring up to summer season.

Ligustrum sinense Chinese Privet, Small-Leaved Privet

A deciduous Shrubs or small trees growing to between 2 meters and 4 meters, rarely 7 m.
Branchlets and leafs are hairy when you gradually become hairless. It habitat is in China and
Vietnam is in thickets, mixed woods and forests in valleys and ravines mainly along streams.
Is widely grown as a Bonsai in China from where hundreds of thousands have been exported
to Europe and the America.

Styles:

Informal Upright, Slanting, Cascade, Semi-cascade

Location:

Indoor

Position:

When growing indoor place out of direct sunlight. When there is no danger of frost it can be
can be grown outside in semi shade to full sun. It is more likely to flower and bear fruit in full
sun conditions.

Watering:

Water regularly during the growing season, during the hot summer months if the trees are in
full sun you may need to water more than once a day. Let soil surface dry out between
watering though. Ensure that pots do not remain water logged.

Feeding:

Feed just twice in spring and autumn, this will ensure that the plant gets enough fertiliser
when it has its growth spurts and needs the extra feed, while ensuring that leaf sizes are kept
in check.
Leaf and Branch Pruning:

Ligustrum are vigorous growers and constant pruning is necessary to ensure the plant stays in
shape and that the leaf sizes are reduced. In mature bonsai pinch out shoots as soon as a to
leaflets appear, in younger bonsai cut back to 2 leafs once 5 to 6 leafs have grown on a shoot.
Structural pruning can be undertaken at anytime of the year, but for faster healing best
between spring and summer.

Re-potting & Growing Medium:

Repot every year on younger plants which can get pot bound quickly, older plants should be
repotted when they need it around once every two years. Use a well drained moisture
retaining soil. Use 100% Akadama, or 1 part loam, 1 part peat, 1 part sharp sand.

Wiring:

Branches are very flexible and wiring can be done anytime of the year. Do not leave the wire
on for too long autumn and winter wiring will leave for the least scars possibility as the
branches do not thicken too much during this season.