Species originating from China and Korea, belonging to the Podocarpaceae family.
It is an evergreen tree with long oval leaves, dark glossy green in color, arranged spirally around the branches. For Bonsai, two varieties are used: one with larger leaves (about 5 to 8 cm long) and the "Maki" variety with smaller leaves (3 to 5 cm). It is also known as Buddha Pine.
The Podocarpus Bonsai is an outdoor plant.
Gift Box Offer
Common Name: Podocarpus
Scientific Name: Podocarpus spp
Characterization: Originating from China and Korea, it belongs to the Podocarpaceae family.
An evergreen tree with long oval leaves, shiny dark green in color, arranged in a spiral around the branches.
In Bonsai two varieties are used: one with larger leaves (about 5 to 8 cm long) and the "Maki" variety with smaller leaves (3 to 5 cm).
It is a dioecious plant with male and female flowers on separate trees, not easily distinguishable.
After flowering in shades of yellow (in Spring), some females manage to produce fruit, a berry of purplish color similar to a grape, and it is edible.
Commonly known as "Buddha Pine," it is widely used in Japanese Gardens, either as hedges or even as shade trees (it can reach up to 20 meters), and Feng Shui enthusiasts attribute many positive properties to it.
Location: Although considered an indoor plant, in our climate it must live outdoors, always well exposed to the sun, where it receives 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day (ideally in the morning or late afternoon), protected from strong winds and frost.
Only in cases of extreme frost and prolonged low temperatures (below 0°C) would it need temporary protection.
Watering: Water the soil abundantly until a good amount of water comes out of the drainage holes, to uniformly moisten the soil, always from above never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.
Tips about watering, consult the watering technical sheet.
Let the surface layer of the soil dry slightly between each watering (to confirm if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).
If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent the roots from rotting).
There is no advantage in misting the leaves; only do so on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is specific for foliar application, but ensure the leaves dry before nightfall to avoid fungi.
Nutrition: From February to October/November, with a base 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 from our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.
Pruning: It is done above a spiral of leaves trying not to cut the leaves in half; pruning can be done at any time of the year, as it responds well with new shoots after pruning (back budding), and compacts very well.
Tips about pruning, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Transplanting: Although it is a conifer, Deciduous Bonsai Soil is used in February/March, before the start of budding.
When transplanting, small nodules are found along the root; this is not a problem but a symbiotic relationship between the plant and a fungus, which facilitates nitrogen uptake, fixation, and assimilation.
Details about transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use can be found in the transplant technical sheet.
Wiring: As it is very flexible, it can be wired all year round, but care must be taken not to damage the leaves too much when passing the wire.
Instructions about wiring, consult the wiring technical sheet.
