Technical Sheet - Macieira

Common Name: Apple Tree

Scientific Name: Malus spp.

Characteristics: Belongs to the Rosaceae family and its main origins are Asia, Europe, and North America.

It has a medium size and deciduous, oval-shaped leaves. They are highly appreciated in Bonsai for their abundant flowering and fruiting.

Various species of Apple Trees are used for Bonsai, mostly ornamental, very floriferous and with smaller fruits, some with a diameter less than 1 cm (the Micromalus).

In Europe, the Everest variety is widely used, but other red fruit and leaf varieties are also used; in Japan, the Malus Haliana with more oval fruit is very common.

Location: Outdoors, 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. They like locations well exposed to the sun and cold in winter (which will stimulate good fruiting).

Watering: Water the soil abundantly until a good amount of water flows out of the drainage holes, to moisten the soil evenly, always from above and never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.

For watering tips, see the watering technical sheet.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry between each watering (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).

Although very resistant to the climate, they have a high water consumption especially during flowering and fruiting. Avoid watering the flowers so as not to damage them.

If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to avoid root rot).

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 make sure the leaves dry by night to avoid fungi.

Nutrition: From February to the end of September/October, with a base plan consisting of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant throughout the year (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.

Detailed information on how to combine these products with the rest of our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, please refer to the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: We should maintain the shape by cutting at the first leaves and apply "Metsumi" to keep the leaves small.

Formation pruning can be done at the end of winter, but respecting the flower buds (the plumper ones), or alternatively in summer (with or without defoliation) as the flower buds have not yet formed.

For pruning tips, see the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

Transplanting: With Leafy Bonsai Soil at the end of winter before flowering begins. In weakened plants during the transplant year, flowers should be removed as they appear to avoid straining the plant too much.

Details about transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use can be found in the transplant technical sheet.

Wiring: Before flowering, or at the beginning of summer with total or partial defoliation.

For wiring instructions, see the wiring technical sheet.