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 sexual dimorphism. It is rare for a Bonsai to bear fruit, but to achieve this, we need to have one plant of each.
The Zanthoxylum Bonsai is a plant of dual location.
Common Name: Zanthoxylum and Chinese Pepper Tree
Scientific Name: Zanthoxylum Piperitum
Characteristics: Originating from Madagascar, it belongs to the Rutaceae family.
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 sexual dimorphism. In Bonsai it rarely bears fruit, but to achieve this, one must have a 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 too protected in air-conditioned environments and requires a lot of sun, at least 2 to 3 hours per day (ideally at the beginning or end of the day), rotating the tree 180° weekly.
Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water comes out of the drainage holes, in order to moisten the soil evenly, always from above and never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.
Tips about watering, see the watering technical sheet.
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, at which time watering should be moderated until new growth begins.
If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to avoid root rot).
There is no benefit in misting the leaves; only do so on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is specific for foliar application, but make sure the leaves dry by night to prevent fungi.
Nutrition: From February to October/November, follow a basic plan consisting 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, see the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.
Pruning: Always done above the axil of a compound leaf. When grown indoors, it is common in summer to perform strong formative pruning so it will sprout new leaves.
Tips about pruning, see the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Transplanting: Using Leafy Bonsai Soil in February/March, before sprouting begins and with heavy pruning.
Details about transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use, see the transplanting technical sheet.
Wiring: Can be wired all year round.
Guidelines about wiring, see the wiring technical sheet.
