How To Grow And Care For Peepal Bonsai Tree

Peepal, also known as Ficus religiosa, is one of the most widely utilized plants in bonsai. Ficus Religiosa Bonsai are made from trees native to the Indian subcontinent and Southwest China. Ficus Religiosa, often known as a sacred fig in various countries, is a Mulberry Family fig tree variety.

Depending on the country where it grows, the sacred tree has been given many names such as Pipal, Peepal, Bodhi tree, and Ashwattha tree. Sacred trees are typically short-lived and deciduous. Its heart-shaped leaves normally fall off in March and April and reappear a few months later.

Peepal Trees produce purple fruits that are encased in figs and ripen shortly after the foliage has been lost. Their bark is usually a variety of gray tones that peels off as the tree becomes older. They grow quickly and can withstand certain tough circumstances. When compared to most bonsai plants, they are low maintenance and require little care.

The plants can easily live for up to 100 years or longer. They are fast-growing plants that, in addition to height, spread out in width, extending their canopy.

In this article, we’ll be learning how to grow bonsai peepal trees! Keep reading if you want to know the process and the requirements and needs that a peepal bonsai has to grow and flourish. Who knows, you might end up getting interested in peepal tree bonsai making!

Best online bonsai plant store: With so many online bonsai plant stores to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. Some of the best online bonsai plant stores offer a wide selection of high-quality plants, competitive prices, and excellent customer service. Look for stores with a solid reputation and positive reviews from other customers.

Peepal Bonsai Tree Key Facts

Scientific Name	Ficus Religiousa
Other Names	Sacred fig, Pipal, Bodhi, Ashwattha, etc.
Type	Mostly, an outdoor plant
Maintenance	Low-Moderate care
Fruits	Figs
Lifespan	50-1000 years
Light	Bright Direct Sunlight
Soil	Well Drained
Water	Required when it’s really dry because it thrives in damp soil.
Temperature	Prefers warm and humid temperatures
Common Diseases	Resistant to most diseases
Habitat	India

How to Propagate a Peepal Tree Bonsai

Seeds, stem cuttings, and marcotting are the three methods for propagating peepal tree bonsai.

1. Propagation from Seeds

Peepal tree bonsai is simple to develop from seeds. All you have to do is sow them in a pot and keep them under a bright, indirect light source. You can move the pot to a brighter spot once the seeds germinate. Ultimately, you have to go for stem propagation from the plant that will grow from your seeds, which brings us to our next method.

2. Propagation from Stem Cuttings

The stem of the parent plant can be cut off. The lower leaves are removed, leaving 2-3 leaves on top. After being coated in rooting hormone, the cutting is placed in damp soil. It is watered on a regular basis and placed in a location that receives enough sunshine.

3. Propagation from Marcotting

For marcotting, a healthy stem is chosen and 1 centimeter of skin is removed from the stem. A plastic cover is placed over the wound and moist mud is applied around it. This aids in the retention of moisture. This is watered on a daily basis. Once the root develops from the cut, the stem can be trimmed and planted separately.

Growing Requirements of a Peepal Tree Bonsai

Location

Peepal is a tropical plant that likes the sun and warmth, so keep it where it can get lots of direct/filtered sunshine. Overexposure to the direct afternoon light, on the other hand, can harm and even kill it.

Peepal Bonsai Plant Soil Requirements

This bonsai thrives in rich, well-drained soil. Make sure it’s not packed too firmly in the pot, as this will inhibit the roots from sprouting.

Peepal Tree Bonsai Watering

Ficus thrives in damp environments, although it should not be overwatered. When the earth is completely dry, water the plant. When the finger is inserted into the container and the dirt is dry to the bottom, the plant is ready to be watered. Water them thoroughly until the water drains through the drainage hole. They prefer damp environments.

The pot can be set on a watered pebble tray. Water evaporation from this will aid in moisture retention. Make sure it’s not packed too firmly in the pot, as this will inhibit the roots from sprouting.

Peepal Bonsai Temperature and Humidity Requirements

Ficus Religiosa, as a tropical plant, prefers warmth and moisture. It can withstand temperatures of up to 16°C. However, because it cannot handle freezing temperatures or draughts, keep it indoors during the hard winters, especially if you dwell in India’s far North.

Taking Care of a Peepal Bonsai Tree

Fertilization

During the growing stage, fertilize the plant with organic feed once every 2-4 weeks. Dosage and directions should be found on the label. During the winter, avoid fertilizing the plant. You won’t need to fertilize the tree much after it’s established. Because these nutrients are required for plant growth, a 3:2:1 blend of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus can be provided. A nitrogen-rich fertilizer is also effective.

Winter care for peepal bonsai tree:

In regions with colder temperatures need protection. Preserving your peepal trees in a greenhouse or cold frame during the winter is advised for those living in freezing zones of India, where temperatures frequently fall below 15 °F. A cold frame allows to decrease changes in temperature, and shields your trees from major temperature falls at night. If you can’t provide any of those, just bring the tree inside and keep it there until the temperature rises again.

Pests and Diseases

Thankfully, the plant is not subject to pests under Indian growing conditions. To avoid the spread of illnesses, avoid watering the leaves unnecessarily.

Peepal Bonsai Pruning

Ficus is a fast-growing plant. After 6-10 leaves have grown, prune back to 2-4 leaves. Heavy pruning is best done in the spring, but it can be done any time of year. During the growing season, keep the new growth clipped down. When you cut a Ficus, it bleeds a milky, white sap—latex—that you can see. This latex is quick to dry and works well as a sealer. When trimming back smaller branches, leave a short stub that will dry out over the next few days, then simply remove the dry branch, which will mend with less scarring.

Tips: Put on a pair of gloves and a clean, sharp pair of bypass pruners. The latex can irritate the skin. First, take a look at the tree as a whole and determine which portions need to be reduced. If the tree is too tall, here is where you should start, but if you want to produce a better silhouette, you’ll need to plan ahead of time. For ficus tree pruning, there are specific cutting principles to follow in order to create a better appearance and hide cuts.

The first step after deciding which plants have to be removed is to remove any dead or broken branches. This will give you a better picture of the remaining cuts that are required.

Cut immediately before a growth node to encourage new growth and hide the stump. Another tip is to prune a branch back to a size that is similar to it. This will eliminate unattractive stubs and restore the ficus’ size and look. Cut away from the node or secondary branch on a slant. Remove no more than one-third of the material from a damaged ficus with a lot of dead growth.

As the plant rebounds, you can chop more off. This type of pruning should be attempted after the plant has begun to re-sprout so that you don’t remove any recovered material.

FAQs

Can we keep a peepal bonsai tree at home?

Since the plant is easy to keep and difficult to kill, you can enjoy the elegant and stunning aesthetics of a Peepal bonsai tree in your house for several years. Its natural magnificence, decoration aesthetics, and alluring vibes are in numerous methods.

Is the peepal bonsai tree lucky?

Yes, they’re considered signs of good luck, pleasure, and prolonged life. These trees can be tall and even have aerial roots, which look unique, though they thrive in pots just as well and are suitable for bonsai. Peepal bonsai trees have some care requirements, so get to know the primary upkeep conditions before you buy.

What is the lifespan of the peepal bonsai tree?

The life span of the peepal tree is up to 2500 years.

What is the special feature of peepal bonsai?

Most peepal bonsai trees can create aerial roots in their wild habitat, which are usually favorable in attractive bonsai designs with multiple aerial root pillars or root-over rock fashions. To encourage aerial root development in our houses a humidity of almost 100% must be applied artificially. You can employ a glass bowl or structure with translucent sheets for this purpose. The peepal bonsai tree, under which the Buddha acquired refinement, is considered by many to have been this tree. Fig species are distinguished by their distinctive inflorescence and unique pollination syndrome, which employs wasps for pollination.

What are the uses of the peepal bonsai tree?

1. Peepal trees can hold their tree-like form regardless of their dimensions, so this makes them standard species for bonsais or for huge houseplants in large areas.

2. The plant is utilized for decorative purposes.

3. It’s normally kept indoors in the living space and in the balcony area.

4. The peepal tree is cultivated for its pear-shaped, palatable fruits, which are open and juicy, bearing hundreds of male and female flowers.

Conclusion

We have included everything that you need to know to grow a beautiful and sacred peepal bonsai tree. If you’re a beginner, you must start by growing a ficus because it is easy to maintain and also pleasing to look at. If you’re looking to buy one, look no further and click here to buy from abanahomes.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start growing your own peepal tree bonsai!