Characteristics
Coleonemas are upright bushes that grow strongly, so they are very easy to grow as bonsai. It can resemble heater, with very thin, almost linear leaves. They are evergreen.
They bloom abundantly from October to spring with numerous tiny pink flowers.
Location
In a Mediterranean climate, outside, in full sun throughout the year. In winter they resist soft frosts.
In a continental climate, it is convenient to protect the coleonemas from extreme frost (freezing temperatures for several days).
In addition, they are very rustic trees that resist the wind very well.
Watering
It is important to control irrigation well and avoid excessive waterlogging. Therefore, between each watering, it is convenient to let the surface layer of the substrate dry. Coleonemas prefer a slight dryness than flooded soils.
Fertilization
They are not very demanding in fertilizer.
From spring to mid-autumn with organic fertilizer or liquid NUTRIBONSAI from Mistral Bonsai, applied every two weeks through irrigation water.
Re-potting
Every 2 or 3 years, at the end of winter.
Substrate
TERRABONSAI. After transplanting it is convenient to water with a solution of VITABONSAI from Mistral Bonsai, to accelerate the recovery of the tree.
Pruning and pinching
Pruning
The tips of the plant are trimmed regularly from their earliest stages of growth. Otherwise, they develop thin and messy. It is to prune slightly after flowering.
Pinching
From April to October, when the buds get too long.
Wiring
It can be wired with aluminum wire, although pruning is often enough to shape them easily.
Curiosities
The Coleonema pulchelum grows along the coastal plains, from Knysna to Port Elisabeth. They live from the sea side up to 150 meters high. The spectacular flowering of the Coleonema is one of the main attractions of the South African coast.