Dwarf Eugenia Bonsai

When you think of a bonsai tree what shape do you see? There are straight up formal trees, wind swept looking trees, twisty trees, and others. The Dwarf Eugenia (or Brush Cherry) can be an example of the straight up formal variety. The leaves are small, firm, and glossy, and when provided with adequate light, will develop red highlights. The tree produces puffy white flowers. And following the flowers, beautiful berries. By the time the it reaches age 10, it stands about 14 inches tall, ideal for a bonsai.

The Dwarf Eugenia is an indoor plant which means it likes warm weather and plenty of natural sunlight although low levels of light are also tolerable. When growing this plant in extremely hot regions, provide it with some partial shade. In the wintertime, the It can handle temperatures between 46 and 68 degrees but again it prefers warmer climates.

During the hotter summer months, you want to make sure your Dwarf Eugenia bonsai gets adequate water, less in the cooler winter months. The key is to keep the soil slightly moist as this tree does not like variations in water. Most bonsai growers suggest the soil be soaked and then dried out but you will need to experiment a little to determine the watering schedule your tree prefers. Use a humidity tray to keep the humidity up, and occasionally try a little misting.

The Dwarf Eugenia should be fertilized every two weeks during the peak growing season and then every four to five months during the winter. The soil should be a little on the acidic side. Since this is a fast grower, it can tolerate hard pruning. New shoots should be cut back in pairs of six to eight leaves with just one to two pairs remaining. You can also wire it during the active growing season but most often, pruning produces better results. You should take care in pruning since branches tend to scar. Do the pruning in the summer.

Repot every two years, anytime from early to mid spring. You can also aggressively prune the roots since this tree can easily handle as much as two-thirds loss of root. The Dwarf Eugenia looks great with any style so be creative when shaping it. I started out saying it can be an example of a straight tree, but it can be formed in other styles as well.

Finally, while this shrub has little problem with disease, it is prone to insects such as aphids, red spider mites, meal bugs, and scales. Therefore check your Dwarf Eugenia several times a week and if you notice something, use an organic insecticide or pesticide.

David and his wife Gina love to spend their time developing their bonsai skills and knowledge as much as possible.

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