Indoor bonsai

The so-called indoor trees are mostly trees from tropical origins, that do not support low temperatures. We must place them indoors, always close to a source of natural light.

Portulacaria afra

Family

Portulacaceae

Origin

South Africa, tropical/desert zones.

Etymology

Jade Tree.

Portulacaria afra

Characteristics

Bush of about 3m in height, with a brown/grey trunk and thick branches. Its leaves are also thick, green oval or round. The stem is 1 to 2 cm long. It has got lot of small pale pink flowers which are grouped in solid bunches.


Location

Exterior the whole year with lots of sun. It is also adaptable to interior spaces if it is placed besides a window.


Watering

Moderate because of its capacity to store water in its leaves and stem. To make it flower, leave it between 7 and 10 days without watering and then begin watering moderately at first and then in abundance.


Fertilization

From spring to end of summer, once a month.

Re-potting

Each 2 or 3 years in spring.

Substrate

Soil that helps with drainage:: 25% Akadama mixed with 5% of volcanic earth.


Pruning and pinching

Pruning

All the time except in the colder and more humid months.

Pinching

At the beginning of sprouting eliminate the new leaves at the points of the branches. After that you can defoliate leaving 2 leaves at the point of the stem.

Wiring

During the whole year. Try not to make very heavy curves. For thick branches you can also use raffia.



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