Weeping willow Bonsai are beautiful trees that have a cascading shape, with long, drooping branches. They are quite popular among Bonsai enthusiasts as they are easy to take care of and have a very unique look.
A weeping willow can be used both as an indoor or outdoor plant, depending on your climate, and can add a very lovely, graceful touch to your bonsai collection.
In this article, we’ll go over the best way to care for weeping willows, including watering, feeding, pruning, and more.
What is A Weeping Willow Bonsai Tree?
A Weeping Willow tree is a fast-growing deciduous tree that grows up to 30 feet tall. It gets its name from the long, drooping branches that it grows.
Weeping willow trees are native to China. They have been introduced to many parts of the world thanks to their attractive appearance and rapid growth.
Some weeping willow bonsai trees can even live for as long as 200 years!
The main distinguishing feature of the Weeping Willow Bonsai is that it has thin, droopy leaves and branches. which makes them one of the most beautiful bonsai trees in the world.
In order to maintain this type of tree, you should have a basic understanding of how they grow in nature.
Popular Varieties of Weeping Willow Trees:
There are many different varieties of weeping willow bonsai trees, but they all share the same characteristics. The most popular ones are:
- Salix Babylonica
- Salix Matsudana ‘Tortuosa’
- Salix Integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’
- Salix Babylonica ‘Pendula’
Why Grow Weeping Willow Bonsai:
The weeping willow bonsai tree is one of the most popular varieties of the bonsai tree to have because it is easy to train, and looks beautiful.
If remained untrained, it can grow to a very large size, but when you train it properly so that it remains small, you can have a beautiful and unique addition to your garden.
The tree is characterized by its graceful, arching branches that tend to droop or bend downwards toward the ground. The willow’s branches and leaves are pliable, which makes it an ideal tree for sculpting and pruning in order to achieve the desired shape you want.
The Weeping Willow tree is actually a very hardy plant and can survive in cold temperatures that would kill most other plants. This makes it an ideal choice for indoor growing.
It is also quite tolerant of drought conditions, so you can go away on holiday without worrying too much about watering or feeding your Bonsai all the time!
Weeping Willow Bonsai Care Guide
Weeping willow bonsai trees are a fun and beautiful choice for the bonsai enthusiast. With proper care, this type of bonsai can be an excellent specimen for years to come.
The following information will help guide you to keeping your weeping willow healthy and happy.
How Often Should I Water Weeping Willow Bonsai?
The amount of water needed depends on factors such as the season, weather, and size of the tree. However, you should keep the following tips in mind:
Weeping willows grow near water bodies like ponds, streams, etc, in nature. So it is natural for the plant to need more water.
Weeping willows require frequent watering to keep their soil moist at all times. They prefer soil that is consistently moist.
Remember to water deeply and thoroughly. Place the pot in a shallow bowl filled with water on hot days to avoid damage.
Never allow the soil to dry out completely. If you are not sure whether your tree needs watering then stick your finger into the soil up to your first knuckle.
If it feels damp then leave it for another day before watering again. If it feels dry then it is time for watering.
Ideal Location For Weeping Willow Bonsai Trees:
Weeping willows prefer full sun, but they can survive partial shade as well as long as they get some periods of direct sunlight daily.
In hot summers keep them in the dappled shade, or a place where they get some sun in the morning and some in the evening, but none during the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest and most intense.
If you are keeping your bonsai indoors, expose the plant to as much natural light as possible. If you’re struggling to provide enough sunlight indoors, supplement with strong artificial lighting.
Soil:
Weeping Willows prefer acidic soil but do well in neutral soils too as long as they have access to adequate moisture levels throughout their lifetime so make sure your bonsai has plenty of water!
The ideal growing soil for weeping willow bonsai trees has a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, which is slightly acidic.
Use the soil recipe we discussed in this post.
Fertilizing:
Weeping willows are heavy feeders, so you need to fertilize them regularly.
Ideally, you should feed your willow bonsai tree every two weeks during the warmer months with a water-soluble fertilizer. In the wintertime, you should feed it once a month. If it is an indoor tree, then once a month is good all year long.
You can use fertilizer tablets that are specifically formulated for bonsai trees and mix them into the soil or use a liquid fertilizer like this one. Just make sure that they have low nitrogen levels and high phosphorus and potassium levels.
Using fertilizers that have high levels of nitrogen would cause large leaves, long internodes, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.
How Do You Prune Weeping Willow Bonsai?
Pruning is one of the most important parts of bonsai tree care. You should prune your tree at least once every three months to encourage new growth and keep it looking neat and trimmed.
A weeping willow grows pretty fast and without proper pruning, a weeping willow bonsai will grow into an unmanageable mess of branches and stems.
The goal is to maintain the overall aesthetic of the bonsai.
During the winter months trim any unwanted shoots or branches and remove all but the first few nodes of the hanging twigs. It will ensure new growth in the spring.
During the growing seasons, you have to trim and pinch your weeping willow quite regularly.
You can use sharp scissors, or pruning shears for this job or you can simply pinch off with your hands.
Be sure to disinfect your cutting tools between uses with a 10 percent bleach solution.
Shaping The Weeping Willow Bonsai
The most important thing to know about shaping your weeping willow is that it’s best to do it in the spring.
Late March is a good time for trimming your weeping willow if you live in an area with mild winters, but if you live somewhere with harsher winters, early spring is better.
Remember, weeping willows tend to grow very quickly. You don’t want to end up trying to shape it when it’s already too big and out of control.
Start wiring early and keep a close eye so the wires don’t bite into the rapidly growing branches.
The bonsai needs substantial training to get to the cascading shape.
How Often Should I Repot Weeping Willow Bonsai?
You should repot your weeping willow every other year or so. The best time for this is in early spring as well, before the tree starts growing again for the season.
Weeping willows are very fast-growing trees, so you need to keep an eye on their roots and make sure they aren’t getting too cramped in their pot, or else your tree won’t grow properly.
You can do strong root pruning at the time of repotting to make room for new root growth.
After you have repotted the bonsai, keep it in a partially sheltered location until the tree gets established.
Pests and Diseases:
Your weeping willow bonsai is quite susceptible to pests and diseases. They can be affected by pests like Willow borer, aphids, scale, caterpillars, gall makers, gall mites, etc.
inspect the bonsai regularly. Check any signs of pest attacks. Most pests can be prevented by using simple water spray. You can also opt for organic pest control techniques to prevent pest attacks.
Some of the most common diseases are rust and canker. Make sure you follow the care guideline that we talked about. Regular pruning, watering, feeding, etc keep your bonsai healthy and prevent diseases.
Conclusion:
The weeping willow is actually a very hardy tree species with wide-ranging adaptability to different climates, but it requires special care for optimal growth. If you care for it properly, you can expect your weeping willow to grow between 3 and 5 meters (10 and 16 feet) in height.
We hope that this detailed care guide has provided you with a better understanding of Weeping Willow Bonsai trees and how to take care of them.
