Thuja bonsai, Ref. 2854

Thuja occidentalis ‘Globosa’

Age: 2 years, height: 18 cm.

Features
An amazing plant with many valuable qualities:
- It has pleasant pine aroma
- Cleaning air
- Has medicinal use in various illnesses
- Strengthens the immune system
- Prevents skin aging
- Essential oil is used in aromatherapy for relaxation
- Used to repel insects
- Used as a living hedge
- Popular in landscape design and of course in bonsai growing

Placement:
Thuja grows in North America, preferring cooler locations, so in a it should be kept out of direct sunlight. Because of this
burns the foliage and makes the needles yellow. This tree is one of
shade-tolerant plants. However, if there's not enough light, then its branches will become long.
In the room, the thuja can be placed near the window (if the window is south-facing) or on the window sill (if the window is north-facing). Thuja does not tolerate dry air in the room, drafts and air conditioning.
In the warm season, it is better to keep the tree outdoors in a shaded place.

Temperature:
The optimal temperature for thuja in the spring and summer period is +20...+25 C.
It is important to provide good ventilation, but avoid drafts.

Soil:
Use good quality universal soil or special soil for conifers plants. Сan be prepared mixture of garden soil, peat and sand in equal parts or next variant: acadama, kyrio and lava in equal proportions.  At the bottom of the pot, be obliged to put a layer of drainage (pebbles, expanded clay or broken bricks) .

Watering:
Thuja needs a large amount of water: it makes the needles more saturated, elastic and beautiful, promotes the development of the root system and rapid crown growth. Watering should be done regularly, keeping the soil slightly moist, but not overwatered. In hot weather, watering is increased. Thuja on the street grows normally at any air humidity and specifically moisturize it from a sprayer is not necessary. Water the plant well-drained water, room temperature.

Fertilizers:
In spring and summer, 1-2 times a month is necessary feeding with complex mineral fertilizers for conifers. In spring time the tree needs nitrogen fertilizers, in the summer months -  the phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. In the fall and winter period, it is not necessary to fertilize the plant.

Shaping and pruning:
Thuja respond well to decorative pruning and pinching. This helps to maintaincompact shape of the plant. It is carried out in early spring or late summer. A wire is used to shape and guide the growth of branches. It can be left on the tree for several months, after which it can be removed.

Repotting:
Young trees up to 4 years old are transplanted annually, adults every 2-3 years. When transplanting, about one third of the roots are cut and the soil is renewed. Pruning long roots stimulates the development of a compact root system.

Wintering:
Thuja in a pot is sensitive to frost, so in winter it is better to shelter the plants. You can move the pots to a cool, not freezing room with a temperature of not higher than +15 degrees Celsius. In cold season, the number of waterings is reduced. If in room, where the tree is at this time, the temperature is plus, then watered once every 2-4 weeks.