Care and Pruning Guides for Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree

Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai – Schefflera arboricola is a popular plant that is also known as the Hawaiian umbrella tree and is widely used for schefflera bonsai. It is a dwarf variety of Schefflera. Schefflera bonsai trees are among the most popular forms of indoor bonsai trees, despite the fact that they are not regarded as “real” bonsai trees.

The Dwarf or Hawaiian umbrella tree is a tropical tree with compound leaves that is particularly well suited for bonsai cultivation inside. Despite the fact that it can tolerate low humidity and poor lighting, it must be protected against temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F). Interested in learning how to grow a Hawaiian umbrella bonsai? Continue reading for information and suggestions on trimming schefflera bonsai.

Growing Schefflera arboricola as a Bonsai Tree

The schefflera plant is a good choice if you want a hardy houseplant that will grow in low light conditions. It is incredibly popular and simple to expand, provided that you grasp its requirements. The Hawaiian umbrella bonsai prefers wet soil that should not be allowed to dry up. Watering should be done with more caution in the winter, but if the tree is put above a heating device, special attention should be paid to ensuring that the rootball does not dry up.

Furthermore, dwarf schefflera has a variety of characteristics that make it an excellent bonsai tree. Despite the fact that this species lacks the woody stems and complex leaf structure of other bonsais, its trunks, branching, and root structure are all suitable for this purpose. Furthermore, Hawaiian umbrella bonsai trees need less light, survive for a longer period of time, and are more robust than other conventional bonsai varieties.

Follow the dosage instructions on the liquid fertilizer and apply it once a week from spring to fall and once a month from winter to spring. Solid organic fertilizer may also be used throughout the warmer months.

Making a Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai: A Step-by-Step Guide

Wiring is one of the procedures used to form the limbs of a bonsai tree, and it is one of the most difficult. If you’re wondering how to construct a schefflera bonsai, the most important thing to remember is to be very cautious with the wiring. The stems might be damaged if they are bent to an extreme degree.

As an alternative, wrap a piece of wire around the branch or stem of the schefflera that you wish to manage. Beginning with the thickest section of the stem or branch, wrap the string around it until it reaches the thinner part. To move the wire, after it is in place, gently bend it in the direction that you want it to travel. It should be moved a little farther every day for a week, then allowed to stay in place for another month.

Schefflera “Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai” Pruning Guides

Pruning and defoliation are two additional important aspects of developing a schefflera bonsai. Remove all of the leaves from your dwarf schefflera or Hawaiian umbrella bonsai, but leave the stalk in place to keep it looking good. The next year, just the bigger leaves should be pruned away. This procedure should be performed every spring until the average leaf size reaches the desired level of size.

With careful trimming, bonsai trees may be turned into beautiful specimens. (also known as dwarf umbrellas) A new sprout will emerge from the axil of the leaf that is immediately below the cut and will point in the same direction as the leaf that is directly below the cut. Even very healthy trees may be defoliated, and the tips of the twigs should be removed at the same time as the leaves. As a consequence, a large number of new shoots, increased ramification, and smaller leaves are produced as a consequence.

Due to the fact that the dwarf umbrella tree generates no firm wood, it is possible that its trunks and branches may shatter if you attempt to bend them too forcefully. You can wire and shape younger shoots with less chance of damaging them since they are more flexible than older ones.

Additional Tips: Caring for Schefflera Bonsai

Your dwarf schefflera bonsai trees should be maintained in a humid atmosphere to ensure their long-term health. A greenhouse, in which the temperature can be regulated, or an aquarium, are also suitable options for this. If none of these options are available, cover the trunk with plastic paper to keep the inside warm.

Every day, the whole tree should be misted, and the plant should be given a lengthy drink twice a week, at the absolute minimum. Fertilizer is also required for Schefflera bonsai maintenance. Use half-strength liquid plant food and apply it once or twice a week for a few weeks.

Make a decision on what form you want the schefflera bonsai to adopt when aerial roots sprout from the trunk and stems. Remove any unattractive aerial roots to make way for more appealing, thicker roots to grow.

Follow the dosage instructions on the liquid fertilizer and apply it once a week from spring to fall and once a month from winter to spring. Solid organic fertilizer may also be used throughout the warmer months.

Seeds and cuttings of the dwarf umbrella tree may be used to reproduce the plant. Cuttings will root in soil or even in a glass of water if placed in the correct environment. Every two years, in the spring, repot the plants. Keep an eye out for the fleshy roots, which are prone to breaking. Make use of a regular soil mixture.