Care Guide for the Premna Bonsai Tree

This beautiful, flowering bonsai tree is called a Premna bonsai tree and if you want one in your home, you have come to the right place! Here is a detailed guide to all the requirements of growing a Premna bonsai tree.

Premna Bonsai Care

Let’s start with our care guide for a Premna bonsai tree.

Placement

Premna species are subtropical or tropical trees that require temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). They prefer an open, sunny location, but very small specimens should be protected from the hot midday sun to avoid drying out. When kept indoors, the Premna requires a warm environment with good humidity and enough light.

Electric grow lights may be of assistance. When the deciduous Japanese Premna (Premna japonica) loses its leaves and enters winter dormancy, it may withstand a little frost but needs to be sheltered in a cold frame with temperatures between 32°F (0°C) and 50°F (10°C).

Premna bonsai tree’s placement during spring and summer: The Flowering Premna thrives in bright light indoors and prefers to be kept outside in the spring and summer. When the temperature drops below 45 degrees at night, we recommend placing the bonsai on a windowsill or anywhere near the window.

Premna bonsai tree’s placement during winter: When the evening lows drop below 40 degrees, it’s essential to take your indoor bonsai inside. On a south-facing window sill is the best indoor placement. Second, best is an east or west exposure. A northern exposure will work, but you’ll need to utilize “grow lights” to get enough light for your bonsai to stay healthy.

A daily dose of four to six hours of sunlight should be sufficient. It’ll be even better if you can supply more.

Watering

Watering your bonsai is something that should never be overlooked. Never let the soil become entirely dry by applying water before it appears dry. It’s a smart option to use a moisture meter until you figure out what your bonsai tree needs. Apply water until it starts to run out from the holes in the bottom of your planter. It doesn’t matter “how” you water your tree; what matters is that the tree is well watered after you’re done.

If the soil is still wet, don’t water your tree, but don’t allow it to dry out either. Check the soil moisture with your fingertips around one centimeter deep (0.4″) if you’re a newbie. Water your tree if it’s getting a little dry. As you acquire experience, this will become more apparent. When your tree needs watering, you’ll be able to see it rather than feel it.

It makes no difference when you water a Bonsai. When the soil is warm from being in the sun, some experts advise against using cold water because it cools the tree as well.

Fertilizing

If you want your bonsai to be healthy and beautiful, you’ll need to fertilize it. Because your bonsai is developing in such a little amount of soil, it is vital to refill the nutrients in the soil on a regular basis. Apply a solid organic fertilizer once a month or a liquid fertilizer once a week during the growing season. Evergreen trees that are dormant in the winter can be treated once a month using a liquid fertilizer. In the winter, dormant trees (Premna japonica) are not fed.

Pruning and Wiring

The purpose of maintenance pruning is to keep a tree’s shape and refine it. Trees will focus much of their growth on the top and outer parts of their stems; it is critical to prune these growth areas on a regular basis to encourage growth closer to the tree’s core parts. Early spring and, in certain situations, late fall, just before and after the growing season, are the optimal times to structure-prune a tree.

When five or six leaf pairs have formed on new long shoots, they should be reduced to one or two leaf pairs. Summer is the greatest time to clip larger branches since cut wounds heal faster when the tree is actively growing. To encourage callus production, use sliced paste. Premna trees can indeed be wired at any time of year, but deciduous species benefit from having their leaves removed.

Younger branches are more adaptable. When the plant gets strong and thickens quickly, remove the wire as soon as possible.

Repotting

When the buds swell in the spring, Premnas are re-potted every two or three years. It is possible to remove around a third of the root mass. Use a basic soil mix.

Remove your Bonsai tree from its pot carefully early in the spring to inspect it. Your Bonsai has to be repotted if the roots are circling the root system. If the roots are still in the soil, leave them there and check again in the spring.

Propagation

Seeds and cuttings can be used to propagate the Premna tree. Air-layering is also a viable option.

Pests and Diseases

Although the Premna is resistant to aphids, scale, red spider mites, and powdery mildew can arise in rare circumstances. Then, using a specific herbicide, try to improve the tree’s developing environment, particularly by providing adequate light.

Aphids are small green insects that feed on the nutrients in your tree. An infestation is indicated by curled leaves, sticky leaves, black mold, and ants. Add neem oil and insecticidal soap to your tree every other day until the insects are gone.

Scale bugs are tiny insects that feed on the sap of your tree. They’ll cause yellow leaves, limb death, and an unhealthy tree in general. The simplest technique to get rid of the problem is to prune out the limbs and use neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Red spider mites are garden pest that infects a wide range of plants. When you have a red spider mite infestation, you’ll see them all over the plant, and it’s critical to get rid of them before the plant is irreversibly destroyed. The most effective technique to control red spider mites is to use natural predators.

Lacewings and ladybugs are popular, but predatory mites can be employed as well. Every one of these spider mite predators can be found in reputable gardening supply stores and on the internet. Pesticides can also be used to get rid of red spider mites. Insecticidal soaps and oils are the most effective.

Conclusion

Don’t wait any longer, get yourself a beautiful premna bonsai tree! We hope you’ve got everything you need to know to grow your own premna bonsai tree. Happy gardening!