How To Care For Your Tropical Dwarf Apple Bonsai Tree
Clusia rosea Bonsai Care
About The Pitch Apple Bonsai Tree
This tropical ornamental fruiting tree grows intense, thick aerial roots. It produces a dense, dark green foliage that is tough like leather.
The lovely white and pink colored flowers turn into an odd looking fruit, that is wonderful for bonsai.
Placement
Like most tropical trees, a tropical dwarf apple bonsai should remain indoors when the low temperatures reach 50 degrees F.
Make sure your tropical dwarf apple tree gets at least 6 hours of quality sunlight while indoors, either through a grow light or a southern window. An eastern or western window sill would be sufficient, if it's giving 6+ hours of light.
In the summer, when the chance of dropping below 50 is gone, it can be placed outside for the season in high light.
Watering
Never let the soil completely dry out. Whenever the soil seems dry, thoroughly water your tree until the water runs clear from the bottom. In the growing season, this can be daily.
If you need help, a good moisture meter will guide you.
Humidity
If you ever need to take your pitch apple bonsai tree inside, including into a garage for the winter, using a humidity tray is recommended. It will prevent the water from running on the floor, and can help keep the tree somewhat moist in the dry season.
Fertilizing
Since your tropical dwarf apple bonsai is in a small pot, and not the ground, it needs nutrients. A slow release (pellet based) fertilizer is perfect for this, and can be added sparingly every 1-2 months during the growing season.
Pruning & Trimming
Trim back the new growth to the farthest safe point that looks good to you — but never remove all of the new growth.
A regular trim will help keep your tropical dwarf apple bonsai tree short, while helping the trunk grow thicker.
Repotting
Repotting must be performed periodically on your bonsai, tropical dwarf apple included, when its root system has filled the pot. If you can clearly see the roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, it’s time to repot your bonsai.
Generally, this means every 2-3 years for a deciduous tree and every 4-5 years for an evergreen or tropical.
Repotting should be done in mid-summer, when the tree is at it’s least fragile state.
The tropical dwarf apple bonsai tree, along with all of its soil, should be removed from the pot. From there, you can trim away no more than 1/3rd of the root mass (1/4th is preferred.)
Then you can repot the tree in the same pot, or give it a newer / bigger pot to thrive in.
After repotting, your Tropical pitch apple bonsai should be thoroughly watered.
Diseases, Insects & Other Pests
Your tropical dwarf apple bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal pitch apple plant. Just remember, your tree is miniature and will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment.
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