Technical Data Sheet - Carvalho Faginea

Common Name: Portuguese Oak

Scientific Name: Quercus Faginea

Characteristics: Native to the Iberian Peninsula and parts of Western Europe, it belongs to the Fagaceae family.

This marcescent-leaf bonsai is notable for its dense and leathery foliage with slightly wavy edges. The bark is dark and deeply fissured, giving the trunk a characteristic and robust appearance, contrasting with the leaf color changes from light green during budding to golden at leaf fall.

The Portuguese oak is valued for its resistance to adverse conditions such as drought and its adaptability to Bonsai styling. It is a popular choice due to its longevity and the impressive visual impact it offers.

Location: Very hardy, they enjoy abundant sunlight, living outdoors all year round, where they receive 2 to 3 hours of direct sun daily (ideally in the morning or late afternoon), protected from strong winds and frost.

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

For watering tips, consult the watering technical sheet.

Allow the surface layer of soil to 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 root rot).

There is no benefit in misting the leaves, only do so on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but ensure the leaves are dry by night to avoid fungi.

Nutrition: From February to October/November, with a basic 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 others from our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan,  consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: Let 6 to 8 leaves grow, then reduce back to the first leaves.

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

Repotting: With Bonsai Soil for Deciduous Trees in February/March, with strong partial defoliation and/or heavy pruning.

Details about repotting, post-repotting care, and specific fortifying products you can use, consult the repotting technical sheet.

Wiring: Preferably at the end of Winter or in Summer but with partial defoliation.

Guidelines on wiring,  consult the wiring technical sheet.