Thinking of growing a bonsai weeping willow, prepare for a daunting task. Growing and caring for a weeping willow bonsai requires a lot of attention and care. Also, they grow relatively fast.
So, if you don’t know where to start, I’m here to help you. I will go through the entire process of growing and caring for a weeping willow bonsai. Without wasting any more time, let’s get on with it.
Can you make bonsai a weeping willow?
Content Overview
At the Bonsai All, we often say that any plant can be grown into a bonsai form with proper care. But when it comes to weeping willow bonsai, “with proper care” is key to that statement.
Weeping willow is not the best beginner bonsai. Providing the right conditions for growth and controlling that growth after the fact can be difficult. But if you’ve been dreaming of a miniature Grandma Willow, don’t despair—we’ll show you how!
How To Grow a Weeping Willow Bonsai?
photo by pinerest
Before I begin, I want to tell you that growing this plant is hard work and patience. However, it is also worth the hard work because the result you get after growing it is pure beauty. So, let’s start with the basic things you need to follow to grow weeping willow Bonsai.
Growing a weeping willow bonsai from seed
Weeping willow bonsai can be grown from seed, but it can be a challenge. The seeds will germinate better if you stratify them first. Stratification is a process that breaks seed dormancy. You can stratify the seeds by placing them in damp sand in the refrigerator for about two months.
Once the seeds are stratified, you can plant them in the soil and water them well. Keep the soil moist but not wet until the seeds germinate, which should be in about two weeks. Once the seedlings appear, you can begin to reduce the amount of water you give them until they are again moist but not soggy.
To Know More :Ultimate Guides How To Grow A Bonsai Tree from Seed?
Growing a weeping willow bonsai from cuttings
Weeping willow bonsai can be grown from cuttings from a healthy tree. Cut a young branch (6-8 inches long) from the desired plant and remove all the leaves, leaving only the petiole (connecting the leaf to the stem).
Dip the cut end of the branch in rooting hormone and then insert it into a pot filled with moist potting soil. Keep the soil evenly moist and make sure the cutting gets plenty of sunlight. Should root in about six weeks.
When new growth appears, transplant the cutting into a larger pot. Weeping willow bonsai should be repotted every two years or so.
Weeping Willow Bonsai Care Guidelines
If you are a bonsai garner ,you don not know to to take of your Weeping Willow Bonsai. You have to follow the following steps-
Location of Weeping Willow Bonsai
First you need to think about where you are going to grow the tree. Weeping willow is a type of bonsai tree that prefers warm and humid temperatures. So, this makes the plant an outdoor option for you.
You Shouldn’t Place the Plant There Among the various bonsai plants, weeping willow is quite popular. The reason is that its beauty and grace is something you can never stop admiring.
If you are in the air area. The branches of the tree are quite delicate and can be easily damaged by strong gusts of wind.
For sunlight, you’ll want a spot where you can get direct sunlight. However, you have to be careful that the sunlight is not too strong as it can burn the leaves of the plant. The perfect spot for weeping willow is in a spot where you get direct sunlight but not too much to burn it.
So, you have to be careful, especially on hot days, when the sun can give off a lot of heat. At this time, you may need to move around the plant if the sunlight is tolerable, for example, in the morning and afternoon.
The Soil
Choose a soil that holds water well but drains properly. While weeping willow bonsai like constant humidity throughout the growing season, even this water-loving plant will suffer if it becomes waterlogged. Acidic soils fit the bill for this particular plant; Many enthusiasts prefer a red acacia with gravel and peat moss.
Watering the Weeping Willow Bonsai Tree
A plant like weeping willow needs a lot of water. From that point of view, you can call it thirsty bonsai. However, you should always keep the water under control. Just make sure not to over water the plant. It will help if you water as much as needed to keep the soil moist.
Generally, you can water your weeping willow once a day. But during the summer months, you need to water your plants twice a day. Because the soil dries up very quickly in the summer months.
To keep it moist throughout the day, you need to water it several times. Also, a good practice during the summer is to keep the plant under some shade so the soil doesn’t dry out too often.
A clear sign that your plant needs water is when you see drooping branches. Generally, the leaves of the plant should look crisp and have healthy leaves.
Learn More: How often Do You Water a bonsai tree?Ultimate Beginners Tips
Feed the Weeping Willow Bonsai Plant
To get the best growth from your weeping willow, you may choose to feed it a liquid fertilizer. They do better with weeping willow. Use fertilizers that maintain the correct balance of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Try to avoid any fertilizer with high amounts of nitrogen. Although this may not harm the plant, it will certainly disrupt the natural growth process. This, in turn, affects the appearance of the tree.
Spring and summer are the best times to plant your weeping willow. These are the times when he will absorb the most nutrients from whatever you feed him. With phosphorus, you can ensure good growth of roots, flowers and stems. While potassium keeps the plant healthy, nitrogen helps it grow lush branches.
Learn More : The Ultimate Guide To Best Bonsai Tree Fertilizers
Weeping Willow Bonsai Maintenance
The real value of bonsai cultivation is in its maintenance. The maintenance process of any bonsai differentiates it from growing a normal tree. Here, I will go over the maintenance procedures you need to follow for a weeping willow bonsai. Let’s keep going.
- Pruning
Pruning is cutting the unnecessary branches to keep the shape of the tree. This is an important part that keeps the miniature aspect alive in the bonsai tree.
For weeping willow, you will need to prune much more than usual because weeping willow continues to grow.
Sometimes you need to cut the growth on the main branches of your tree. You can do this after the growing season has passed.
To keep your weeping willow in perfect shape, you’ll need to choose wire for each branch. When you’re wiring, be sure to keep it a bit loose as the tree’s wood is soft. You don’t want to stain the wood at all.
You should always be aware that plants grow fast. So, you have to be a bit flexible with the design you want on your tree. It is also important to adjust the wires once in a while to keep the shape of the tree which makes it look nice.
- Wiring
Now, this is a point of contention for some. Purists believe that the bonsai willow tree should be kept in its natural, asymmetrical beauty. They also claim that the tree doesn’t take very well to wire.
As a practical tip, we believe you can wire new bonsai shoots as early as June so that they are lowered into a hanging position. It’s not just for aesthetics, but for practicality. If you do this, make sure the wires don’t bite into the bark of the tree.
During spring, you can also wire down old branches. You want them to have a downward slant.
Learn More : How To Wire a Bonsai Tree? The Complete Guide To Make Your Bonsai Aesthetic
- Repotting
As with pruning, you will often need to choose between repotting your weeping willow. And the reason is the same; It grows much faster than any other bonsai tree. A weeping willow can grow up to a foot per month if you don’t cut it back or repot it.
To stop this from happening, you need to report your weeping willow. The best time to do this is during the warm season. Just make sure it’s not too hot in there as this can stress the plant.
Every time you report your weeping willow, make sure you cut off the root ball of the tree. The root ball grows at an alarming rate, so you have to prevent it from being cut down. And, you don’t have to worry about pruning the roots of this tree because it has great bearing capacity.
It is best if you report your weeping willow every six months or once a year. Without repotting, the plant’s roots can tighten into the container. This affects the health of the plant. So, you must report when you think the time is right.
Learn More : How to Repot a Bonsai for Beginners Complete Solutions
- Pests Control
Like any other plant, weeping willow can be vulnerable to pests. To prevent this from happening, your best bet is to use an organic pesticide.
Insects and pests that commonly attack weeping willow are willow borer, gall mite, scale, canker, aphids, gall borer and rust. You can also call a professional to help you with these problems as they will have better solutions to these problems.
With these maintenance procedures, you should be good to go with weeping willow. You will need to do these things more frequently than other bonsai plants. So, you can say weeping willow is a high-maintenance bonsai tree.
Weeping Willow Bonsai for Sale
There are a few different places you can buy a weeping willow bonsai. An alternative is to make an online purchase. There are several websites that sell bonsai in all different shapes and sizes, so you should have no problem finding one that suits your needs. Another option is to visit a local garden center or nursery. They will likely have a wide selection of plants to choose from and may be able to give you some tips on caring for your new bonsai.
FAQ
Here are some common questions people ask about weeping willow bonsai –
What type of soil works best for weeping willow tree?
Weeping willow grows best around ponds, rivers or lakes. So, you’ll want soil that stays moist for the most part. Also, you don’t want water to sit in the soil, so the soil must have good drainage.
Can I grow a weeping willow bonsai from cuttings?
Yes! In fact, propagating a weeping willow is easier than most trees because they are so fast growing.
- Starting with a standard-sized weeping willow branch, trim off all leaves and secondary branches and cut into several smaller sections.
- Place in a bucket or bucket full of water for a few weeks until roots begin to form.
- Next, place in small nursery pots and keep constantly moist until the cuttings bud and establish themselves in the soil.
- Your tree may even be ready for a training pot during one growing season.
Can I Weeping Willow Bonsai indoors?
Well, you can’t grow weeping willow indoors. This is because weeping willow needs a lot of direct sunlight, which you can’t get indoors. Can be kept indoors for a while in rough weather. But it is not possible to grow a weeping willow indoors.
Is weeping willow harmful to pets?
No, weeping willow does not harm pets. It has no poisonous parts in the plant, so you can rest assured with your pet. However, it will help if you are worried about your pet harming the plant instead.
Is it difficult to grow a weeping willow?
Actually, growing a weeping willow bonsai is not difficult. But maintaining the tree as a bonsai is quite difficult. Weeping willow grows rapidly in every part. So, you have to constantly prune it and keep it in shape and keep it as a bonsai. Also, the tree is quite delicate, so you have to be careful.
What is the lifespan of a weeping willow?
The lifespan of a weeping willow tree is about 50 years. It is considered short for a tree. A weeping willow that lives up to 70 years is considered very old, and almost no weeping willow survives 100 years.
Related :How Old Are Bonsai Tress? Bonsai Tree Lifespan
Summary
All in all, however difficult it may be, growing a weeping willow bonsai is definitely worth it. It is one of the most beautiful bonsai plants you can ever find and has a unique appeal.
Downy foliage makes it an attractive choice to have in your home. Also, it expands, so you don’t have to wait ages to see the full form of the weeping willow bonsai. This is a great bonsai tree if you live in a warm and humid area.
