How To Take Care Of Your Buddhist Pine Bonsai Tree

Podocarpus Macrophyllus Bonsai Care

About The Buddhist Pine Bonsai Tree

The Podocarpus, Buddhist Pine, or Chinese Yew, is a dense evergreen tree with pointed dark green leaves arranged on stiff and symmetrical branches.

It produces a fleshy and brightly colored fruit.

New foliage comes in a light green color that turns darker with age.

This is a tree that can survive, and thrive, indoors as a houseplant all year long -- if adequate lighting is provided.

Placement

The Buddhist Pine can live indoors all year if there is enough light, but would prefer to be outdoors as long as the temperature remains above 45 degrees.  It loves light, and should get plenty of it on a south (or east, or west) facing windowsill while indoors.

Watering

The Buddhist Pine, 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.

Humidity

The Buddhist Pine loves humidity in the drier months, and a suitable humidity drip tray will provide plenty.

Fertilizing

Since your Buddhist Pine 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 Buddhist Pine bonsai tree short, while helping the trunk grow thicker.

Repotting

Repotting must be performed periodically on your bonsai, Buddhist Pine 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.  Buddhist Pine, being evergreen, will need to be repotted around every 4-5 years depending on its environment.

Repotting should be done in mid-summer, when the tree is at it’s least fragile state.

Your Buddhist Pine 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 Buddhist Pine should be thoroughly watered.

Diseases, Insects & Other Pests

Your Buddhist Pine bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal Buddhist Pine tree.  Just remember, your tree is miniature and will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment.