How To Take Care Of Your Bald Cypress Bonsai Tree
Taxodium Distichum Bonsai Care
About The Bald Cypress Bonsai Tree
The bald Cypress is a deciduous conifer (which is interesting enough) that grows on saturated swamps and seasonally inundated soils of the Southeastern and Gulf Coastal Plains of the United States.
The bark is a grayish or reddish shade of brown, with shallow vertical fissures running through it.
Unlike most other cypress trees, it is deciduous, losing its leaves in the winter months, hence the name "bald."
Placement
The bald cypress is a deciduous plant and needs to drop its leaves and go dormant to survive. Outdoors only for this one.
It loves light, and should get plenty of it during the growing season. It doesn't need any when dormant.
Watering
The bald cypress, like most bonsai trees, will die if it dries out. It enjoys plenty of water in well draining soil. Never let it dry out completely.
The bald cypress, specifically, LOVES water. It thrives in the swamps of the southern United States, so you really can't over water this tree.
Humidity
The bald cypress enjoys humidity in the drier months, and a suitable humidity drip tray will provide plenty.
Fertilizing
Since your bald cypress 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 bald cypress bonsai tree short, while helping the trunk grow thicker.
Repotting
Repotting must be performed periodically on your bonsai, bald cypress 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. bald cypress, being deciduous, will need to be repotted around every 2-3 years depending on its environment.
Repotting should be done in mid-summer, when the tree is at it’s least fragile state.
Your bald cypress bonsai, 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 bonsai bald cypress should be thoroughly watered.
Diseases, Insects & Other Pests
Your bald cypress bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal bald cypress tree. Just remember, your tree is miniature and will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment.
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