This post may contain affiliate links
It is a trendy plant that is found in many homes. However, did you know it can be grown in an indoor setting? Growing an avocado-based bonsai could require time and effort, but they are stunning when they grow to their full size. Below are eleven steps to help cultivate the avocado tree of your dreams.
Growing avocado bonsai is an engaging activity that has become increasingly well-known because of its health advantages. Avocados are rich in potassium, which helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Avocados are also loaded with monounsaturated fats, which could benefit heart health!
What is an Avocado Bonsai Tree?
Bonsai is a Japanese word that means “plant in a container.” As a result, moving a bonsai is equivalent to planting a tree in a container. Therefore, you get avocado bonsai. The small bonsai is not a specific species but regular trees that have been meticulously trimmed and taught to conform to their new environment.
Aside from the size that differs from the actual tree, the goal of a bonsai is to be as near to the life-size tree as feasible.
Can I bonsai an avocado plant?
You can bonsai, an avocado plant. After cutting off the excess, it could take a while to bring the tree into an ideal condition. Seedling trees are perfect for including.
Nurseries might even provide the tree already constructed for you with a seedling or allow you to select from their selection of seeds. It is easier to shape your tree to start with a smaller tree and then form it according to your needs at regular intervals. When you’re beginning to form the trunk of your tree, it’s advised not to cut it off excessively, as the tree will become too small.
See Also:Â Pine Tree Root System (Cool Facts You Should Know)
How to grow Avocado bonsai?
Avocado trees are simple to cultivate. They can be grown outdoors, indoors, and in a greenhouse and bloom all year round, provided they are well-maintained.
What you will need to plant an avocado bonsai: avocado tree; avocado pots; potting mix pruning shears, wire brush/scrubber
Choose the right Avocado Tree
Avocado trees are typically offered as seeds. The easiest method of choosing an avocado tree is by looking through the available avocado seeds they provide on their website or purchasing online.
A smaller tree branch is more straightforward to manage but could be more challenging. When developing the tree’s trunk, be careful not to remove it excessively, or your bonsai could be too small.
When choosing the avocado plant, be sure it has plenty of leaves. Ideally, it should not show any yellowing or browning of the leaves.
Be sure not to allow your avocado to reach maturity before cutting off some leaves (about halfway), so it has enough room to expand.
Prepare the Avocado Tree
The avocado plant must be removed from its pot and wash the roots of the soil. Next, take the plant out of the pot in which it is currently located. Please remove most of the roots in the soil before transplanting. Be careful not to cut the steam while removing it, as this can damage your plant.
Prune the avocado tree’s roots
After you’ve cleared all the soil, cut back some leaves (about one-half). If you don’t have enough space to develop within the pot, think about moving it to a bigger one. It’s sometimes difficult to locate an avocado with plenty of leaves and isn’t ripe yet. If this is the case for yours, cut off branches whenever necessary to ensure they don’t begin to grow too large.
Select a pot for your avocado bonsai
Select a container that has drainage holes for the avocado plant.
The pot must be at least 2 inches larger than the root ball of the avocado and deep enough to reach 1 foot tall.
If you plan to plant an avocado bonsai with seedlings, select a pot that can support three years of growth. If you’re starting from an existing branch, pick the smaller pot, or transfer to a larger one when required.
Prepare Avocado bonsai for potting.
It is necessary to prepare the pot to accommodate an avocado bonsai. It would be best if you used coarse-grained dirt at the bottom of the pot. This soil is excellent for draining water and helps keep the roots dry. This is great for avocado trees which thrive in tropical climates with wet and dry seasons.
Choose a soil of good quality that drains water efficiently in the pot’s top. You should leave enough space on the top of the pot to cover the avocado root of the tree when it is planted in this layer. Using the same soil type as the bottom layer or a sandier one with a lighter hue is possible.
Mix this in with compost to add nutrients to the avocado plant.
Pot the Avocado Bonsai
Place the avocado bonsai into the container. The tree’s height should be approximately one-half to two-thirds of the size of the pot.
In the topsoil, drill holes and push them out to ensure that they’re at least one inch apart, centered around the area you intend for your avocado to be planted. This will provide better drainage while you are watering.
Fill the holes with water, let the excess water drain away and then add some compost into the holes. The avocado tree should be planted solidly to its lowest root point in this soil mix.
Forming the Avocado Bonsai Tree
Before beginning bonsai training, it is critical to determine which is the front perspective. Also, flexible copper or aluminum wire designed particularly for bonsai gardening would be appropriate for training horizontal branch growth.
To prevent the plant from not developing correctly, wrap the wire securely but not too tightly around the branch. The bendable wire will allow you to position the branch in the desired direction.
A fishing line is an excellent substitute for copper wire as a bonsai guide wire. Wrap the fishing line around the branch and gently pull it into place before tying it to the pot. Pruning and training your avocado bonsai is best done twice a year, right when new growth develops. It is also a good idea to replace the fishing line yearly to avoid leaving marks on the tree branch.
See Also:Â Top 7 Small Trees with Non-Invasive Roots (Full Guide)
Avocado Bonsai Care Tips
Follow these care tips for your Avocado Bonsai Tree:
- Â Place your bonsai into the pot that is appropriate in size.
- Regularly water your bonsai, and be sure to keep the soil wet.
- Give your bonsai an avocado feed fertilizer every 2 weeks, and make sure that you water your plant afterward.
- Prune branches whenever they become more extensive than you’d like.
- Make sure your bonsai avocado gets a small amount of sun now and again, but not too often! Sometimes, it also needs shade!
- Please do not put anything harmful in or around the avocado plant (such as pesticides) since it could cause it to die.
How to grow avocado bonsai from seedlings?
Follow these tips to grow your Avocado Bonsai Tree from Seedlings:
- The seedling should be planted in a well-drained pot.
- Plant it in a shaded spot that doesn’t receive direct sunlight.
- It is irrigated regularly and watered every month.
- Prune dead branches or dead leaves when needed.
- Take your time: Bonsai trees take years to fully develop and mature, so be prepared to be patient!
- Monitor your plants. If they’re getting too large for their pots, you can transplant them into bigger pots before the roots begin to expand out of control and cause damage to the root system. This will cause the plant to die!
Conclusion: How to Grow an Avocado Bonsai
Avocado bonsai (any kind that is bonsai) is a tough plant to cultivate from the beginning and requires careful maintenance. If you’re thinking of growing an avocado tree for an indoor plant or simply to have fun, keep in mind that it requires lots of sunshine and water to flourish. It won’t be able to survive outside in cold temperatures! However, if you take care of it, your avocado will transform into something extraordinary.
Pin & Share