Technical Sheet - Chinese Privet

Common Name: Chinese Ligustrum

Scientific Name: Ligustrum chinensis

Characterization: Belongs to the Oleaceae family and is native to China, Japan, and Europe.

Although there are various types of Ligustrums, in Bonsai a variety originating from China with small leaves that compact easily is used, as it yields the best results in Bonsai.

It is an evergreen shrub with oval green leaves, producing white flowers in the summer (rare in Bonsai due to pruning). There is also a species with white and green leaves (variegated).

Location: It can live indoors near a well-exposed window with at least 2 to 3 hours of daily sun and no air conditioning, where it should be rotated 180° weekly.

It can also live outdoors all year round as long as it is protected from strong winds and frost; it is very sensitive to the lack of direct sunlight.

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

For tips on watering, consult the watering technical sheet.

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

If there is 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 the days you fertilize and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but ensure the leaves dry by night to prevent 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 all year round (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, consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

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

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

Repotting: With Bonsai Soil for Deciduous in February/March, with strong partial defoliation.

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

Wiring: Wiring can be done all year round. It is usually done at the end of Winter or the end of Summer together with formation pruning and partial defoliation.

For wiring guidelines, consult the wiring technical sheet.