Citrus trees like orange or lemon have been popular bonsai subjects for centuries. One distinguishing characteristic of citrus is the fragrant flowers that bloom in the spring and summer, as well as its colorful fruits in the winter.
Because they are so common and easily accessible, you may even be able to find a bonsai orange tree that has already been grown and trained.
However, if you are interested in growing a bonsai orange tree from seed or by grafting, you must know that it will take a few years before your plant is fully ready for you to begin training it into your ideal bonsai shape.
You will also need to make sure that you take special care of your bonsai orange tree year-round and cater to its unique needs as a citrus plant.
Today we will be learning about how to properly care for a bonsai orange tree so that you can grow your own happy, healthy tree and watch it grow along with you over time!
Why Grow Orange Bonsai:
Any citrus tree with a small fruit can be used as a bonsai, but Orange bonsai trees, in particular, are a great choice for an aspiring bonsai enthusiast.
These miniature orange trees look lovely both indoors and out, and they can be used to add a little extra flavor to your favorite recipes.
Orange Bonsai Tree Care Guide
Orange Bonsai trees are a fun and beautiful choice for bonsai enthusiasts. The following information will help guide you to keeping your orange bonsai healthy and happy.
How Often Should I Water The Bonsai?
Water your orange tree when the soil surface appears dry. The soil should stay moist but not soggy at all times.
When watering, soak it thoroughly until water begins to drain from the drainage holes in the bottom of its pot.
You can also place your bonsai in a shallow basin of water and allow it to soak for up to 30 minutes.
Be sure that all of the plant’s roots have been given enough moisture before you decide that you’re done watering.
Bear in mind your orange tree will require more water during the warmer months than it does during the winter.
Ideal Location:
An orange bonsai tree needs bright sunlight. Ideally, they should receive at least four to six hours of sunlight per day.
You can keep your orange bonsai indoors or outdoors, but it should be in a sunny and warm area with direct sunlight. Make sure that it’s kept out of extreme temperatures and direct drafts.
Expose the plant to as much natural light as possible. If you’re struggling to provide enough sunlight indoors, supplement with strong artificial lighting.
If you have a very cold climate, bring your bonsai inside for winter to protect it from freezing temperatures.
Temperature:
In general, orange bonsai trees prefer warm weather. They do best around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or above but can survive down to 45 degrees Fahrenheit without damage.
Humidity:
To help keep your orange tree happy throughout the year, try using a humidifier during the winter months when humidity tends to be much lower than usual.
The ideal humidity for any bonsai tree is around 60 percent, so keeping this in mind will go a long way towards helping your tree thrive!
Overwintering:
If you live in a climate with very low winter temperatures, you may want to keep your plant in an unheated garage during the winter months and bring it back into the house once spring has arrived. This will prevent damage due to frost or freezing temperatures.
Soil:
Bonsai orange trees thrive in soil that is heavy enough to hold together but well-draining.
They are sensitive to soggy roots, so make sure that excess water can flow through the soil freely. If the roots of your tree are constantly submerged in water, they will rot and your tree will die.
A mixture of equal parts peat moss, sand, and loam is quite good for a lemon bonsai. Keep the pH level around 6 to 6.5 (slightly acidic).
Fertilizing:
Since an orange tree is going to need plenty of nutrients in order to thrive, it’s important that you provide it with fertilizer on a regular basis.
There are different types of fertilizer that you can choose from, including liquid and granular varieties. Whichever type you prefer is fine as long as you’re giving your tree the nutrients it needs.
How Do You Prune An Orange Bonsai Tree?
Pruning and trimming are important parts of bonsai care. Orange bonsai trees require pruning throughout the year to maintain their shape and size.
You can use sharp scissors, and pruning shears to remove dead or unwanted branches and leaves.
They are deciduous, so they will lose their leaves in fall and winter. Removing dead leaves will help maintain the health of your orange tree bonsai, but it is not necessary to remove all dead leaves by hand. Most will naturally fall off when they are ready.
The best time to prune your orange bonsai tree is in spring after the new growth has started.
Be sure to disinfect your cutting tools between uses with a 10 percent bleach solution.
Styling An Orange Bonsai Tree:
The most common bonsai styling for an orange tree is informal upright, which allows for a nice display of the fruit and branches.
If you leave your tree untrimmed, the trunk will grow straight up and the branches will be horizontal. This style is more like a shrub than a tree, so it may not be your preference if you’re looking for that traditional image of a tree.
The great thing about bonsai is that you can choose any style as long as it suits the species of tree and you’re able to maintain it properly.
An orange tree would also work well in a windswept or cascading style.
How Often Should I Repot Orange Bonsai?
The roots grow quickly and aggressively especially when your bonsai is young. So repotting becomes very important for the tree to survive.
Because they are fast-growing trees, citrus bonsai should be repotted every year or two (no more than three). The best time to do this is in spring after the danger of frost has passed.
You can do strong root pruning at the time of repotting to make room for new root growth. Use fast-draining bonsai soil to avoid root rot.
After you have repotted the bonsai, keep it in a partially sheltered location until the tree gets established.
Matching Bonsai Pots:
When growing an orange bonsai tree, it’s important to have a pot large enough to accommodate several years of growth before the tree needs to be re-potted.
You can use plain unglazed or glazed pots depending on what suits your tree best and what you like yourself.
An oval or rectangular pot works well most of the time but you can use different shapes too if they suit your tree better.
For more detailed information on this, check out our post on how to choose a bonsai pot.
Pests and Diseases:
Pests like scale, spider mites, and aphids will attack your bonsai trees. Some of these pests you can control with a simple spray of insecticidal soap, which will smother them without harming your plant.
One common disease is a citrus scab, which appears as large brown spots on leaves and stems. To prevent this disease, you should water directly around the trunk of the tree rather than spraying water over the entire tree.
Orange Tree Bonsai FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about growing an orange bonsai tree.
Can I bonsai a citrus tree?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes! You can grow orange or lemon trees as beautiful bonsai trees that will produce fruit.
A dwarf variety of citrus trees is best for bonsai since they have smaller leaves, to begin with.
But there are a few pros and cons when it comes to working with citrus trees.
Some of the major advantages are
- they are easily available.
- they tend to respond well to pruning,
- They flower fragrantly and bear fruit.
But please remember that they generally need warmer temperatures than other bonsai trees and are prone to pest infestations.
However, none of these negatives should deter you from trying your hand at growing your own citrus bonsai.
Can I grow an orange bonsai tree from seeds?
It takes about three years to grow an orange tree from seed to the point where you can bonsai it and about six years before it bears any fruit.
For speedier results, you can purchase a miniature orange tree that’s already been grown and pruned into bonsai form—meaning you can enjoy its fruits in only three to four years.
If you’re growing from seed or from a pre-grown bonsai plant, you’ll want to place your tree in a sunny location and water generously during its first two years of growth.
Oranges are heavy feeders, so make sure your soil has plenty of nitrogen and phosphorus in it.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re thinning out your trees’ branches regularly to ensure proper airflow and light exposure.
How long does it take to grow an orange bonsai tree?
How long does it take to grow a bonsai orange tree? The answer to this question depends on how you grow your orange tree. If you buy a nursery stock that is at least two years old, and repot it into a bonsai pot, then your tree should be ready to produce fruit within two years.
However, if you want to start from seed, expect it will take at least six years until your tree is ready to produce fruit.
It takes longer to start from seed as it needs time to germinate (grow), which also depends on the variety of orange seeds. Some seeds won’t germinate at all, some take months or even years, and others germinate quickly.
Once your seed has sprouted, it will require another five or six growing seasons before it is mature enough to bear fruit.
Will my Orange Bonsai tree produce fruit?
Yes! An orange bonsai tree will actually produce fruit. But there are a lot of factors that you need to take care of, including the size of the tree and the amount of sunlight it receives.
If you want your bonsai orange tree to produce fruit, make sure it is getting enough light and water, and nutrients throughout the year.
Can an Orange bonsai Tree survive indoors?
Like many other bonsai trees, orange bonsai trees can also be grown indoors, as long as they’re kept in a room with plenty of light and warm temperatures (ideally around 70F), and high humidity.
Why are the leaves falling off my bonsai orange tree?
An orange bonsai tree can lose its leaves during certain times of the year, such as when going dormant. This usually happens in winter, when there isn’t much sunlight available for photosynthesis (the process by which plants make food).
Another reason why an orange bonsai tree may shed its leaves is that it’s stressed out from being overwatered. take a look at your watering schedule, maybe you have to reduce the frequency.
Indoor bonsai also lose leaves due to lack of light. If you are growing orange bonsai indoors then you have to arrange a strong artificial light that can mimic sunlight.
Conclusion:
Citrus bonsai trees are relatively easy to care for, especially if you keep the tree watered, fertilized, and pruned throughout the year. It’s a win-win for anyone who enjoys the tiny trees or simply likes the way they look in a container on the patio.
We hope this article has provided you with a thorough bonsai tree care instructional. If you have any more questions about orange bonsai tree care, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment, and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.
