Sageretia bonsai, Ref. 3011

Sageretia plant from China and Japan, that is ideal for indoor bonsai style cultivation due to its miniature size and unusual branch shape.

Placement
It likes a semi-shaded spot outdoors in warm weather, but can be kept indoors all year round. Indoors, it should be placed near a south or west facing window, but should be protected from intense direct sunlight.
If there is not enough light, the internodes will grow longer and the color of the leaves will deteriorate.
It is also necessary to ensure high air humidity. If the air is dry, the leaves begin to wither. Periodic spraying of the leaves and the use of humidifiers can help.

Temperature
The optimum growing temperature is +20...+25 °C. Extremely sensitive to drafts and sudden temperature changes. Cannot tolerate cold temperatures below +10°C.

Watering
The root system should be constantly moist, but not over-watered. Stagnant water in the pot leads to root rot. Also do not allow the roots to dry out completely, as the leaves and twigs of Sagerecia quickly dry up and the tree may die from lack of water. It prefers a slightly acidic or neutral pH, so avoid using calcareous water.

Fertilizing
During active growth (spring and summer), fertilize every 2-4 weeks. It is best to use a bonsai fertilizer with a low nitrogen content. This will help maintain the compact shape of the plant. In the fall and winter, no fertilizing is required, as the plant slows down growth at this time.

Pruning and shaping
Responds well to pruning, so it can be shaped in a variety of styles. Young branches and shoots can be pruned in spring. Old branches are stiff and it is almost impossible to bend them. When the basic branch structure is formed, there is no need to wrap old branches.
Shoots can be pruned to 2 leaves all year round. Frequent pruning of shoots promotes the development of good branching.
Sageretia should not be pruned in late summer, as this will affect flowering and fruit formation. To form a beautiful shape, you need to regularly cut young shoots directed inside the crown or growing too high. This way you can get a harmonious crown with properly distributed branches.
Pinching helps to regulate the growth of shoots and make the crown more dense. This is especially important to maintain the plant's diminutive size.
Wiring: Wire is used to give curves to the trunk or branches. The wrapping must be done carefully so as not to damage the bark. The wire is wrapped around the trunk or branches, bending them slightly in the desired direction.

Repotting
Repot every 2-3 years, depending on the growth and condition of the roots. It is best to transplant the plant in spring, when active growth begins. It is important that the new pot is slightly larger than the previous one, so that the roots have room to grow. When transplanting, it is important not to damage the roots. If the root system has grown a lot, it can be trimmed back a little to encourage new roots to grow.

Soil
Soil should be loose, air and water permeable.
Ideal composition:
- 50% acadama
- 10% kiryuzuna
- 20% peat
- 20% sand + perlite
(see here)

Winterization
In winter it is better to keep the tree at a temperature of +10...+15 °C, but completely avoid the influence of frosts. Watering should be reduced and fertilizing stopped. Check that the plant is not affected by cold air or high temperatures from heating devices.

Pests and Diseases
When grown in unsuitable growing conditions, can suffer from spider mites, aphids and whiteflies. To some extent, insecticides in the form of sprays can help:
- warm shower
- soap and tobacco solutions
- high humidity (spray with water, cover with a transparent film and hold for a few hours).
For long-term success, it is important to provide plenty of natural light and adequate humidity. Watering with hard water can cause the leaves to show signs of chlorosis. Fertilizers containing iron and spraying with ferrous sulfate can help.
Fungal diseases can enter through fresh wounds - this is dangerous to individual branches and even the entire tree. Be sure to use clean tools and treat all fresh wounds with cutting paste (see here)
If leaves turn pale green with darker veins, the tree may need additional iron fertilizer and less lime water. Brown leaf tips indicate overwatering.

Growing a bonsai-style sageretia is a fascinating process that requires patience and care. But the result can be impressive: a compact, elegant tree with miniature leaves that integrates perfectly into the interior.