Species originating from Madagascar, it is part of the Rutaceae family.
The Zanthoxylum Bonsai has deciduous, compound, shiny green leaves that emit a citrus scent when pruned.
It is also called Operculicarya, flowering on male and female plants, without easy dimorphism between sexes. It is rare for Bonsai to bear fruit, but to achieve this we need to have one plant of each.
The Zanthoxylum Bonsai is a plant with dual location.
Common Name: Zanthoxylum and Chinese Pepper Tree
Scientific Name: Zanthoxylum Piperitum
Characteristics: Originating from Madagascar, it belongs to the Rutaceae family.
A medium-sized tree, with deciduous, compound, shiny green leaves that emit a citrus scent when pruned.
It is also called Operculicarya and blooms with male and female plants without easy gender dimorphism. In Bonsai it rarely produces fruit, but to achieve this, you must have one plant of each gender.
Location: It can live outdoors all year round, being deciduous. If grown indoors, it is likely to want to renew its leaves in mid-summer.
It should not be overly protected in air-conditioned environments and requires a lot of sun, at least 2 to 3 hours per day (ideally early or late in the day), rotating the tree 180° weekly.
Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water comes out of the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above and never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.
Tips about watering can be found in the watering technical sheet watering.
Let the surface layer of soil dry between each watering (to confirm if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).
It tends to suffer from root rot due to excess water/lack of light, especially after heavy pruning, during which we should moderate watering until new growth begins.
If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to avoid roots rotting).
There is no benefit to misting the leaves; only do this on days you fertilize and if the fertilizer is specifically for foliar application, but ensure the leaves dry by night to avoid fungi.
Nutrition: From February to October/November, follow a basic plan composed of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.
Detailed information on how to combine these products with others in our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.
Pruning: Always done above the axil of a compound leaf. When grown indoors, heavy formative pruning in summer is usual so it regrows with new leaves.
Pruning tips can be found in the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Transplanting: Using Leafy Bonsai Soil in February/March, before bud break and with heavy pruning.
Details on transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific strengthening products you can use are available in the transplanting technical sheet.
Wiring: Can be wired all year round.
Instructions on wiring can be found in the wiring technical sheet.
