Your Cart is Empty
Growing
Cross-Berry bonsai
The absolute basics
Remember that growing bonsai from seed requires patience and dedication, and not all your seeds are guaranteed to germinate and grow.
It will take several years before your Grewia occidentalis bonsai starts to resemble a mature tree.
Good luck with your bonsai growing journey!
Â
-
Originating in Africa and Australia, the Lavender Star Flower, a petite evergreen tree, derives its name from its exquisite star-shaped purple blossoms measuring approximately 2,5cm in width.
-
During spring and sporadically throughout the year, flowers grace the stem with their presence. The glossy, emerald-green leaves add to its charm.
If you are fortunate you may witness their Lavender Star yielding berries with four distinct lobes, which serves as the inspiration behind its colloquial name"Crossberry" and "Four-corner". These vibrant reddish-purple fruits retain their luster on the tree for extended durations. -
When positioned outdoors this bonsai specimen attracts butterflies and birds.
Basics
Preparation
-
Soak the seeds in water for about 24 hours to soften the hard seed coat and improve germination.
-
After soaking, plant the seeds in the pot provided, in a well-draining soil mix or a mix of perlite and peat moss.Â
We included some Professional Seedling mix from our range of growing mediums.
Plant the seeds about 1cm deep in the soil.
Place the pot in a warm and bright location, but avoid direct sunlight, as it can be too harsh for young seedlings.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Care
-
Once the seedlings emerge, provide them with filtered sunlight or partial shade to prevent them from getting sunburned.
As the seedlings grow, you can gradually increase their exposure to sunlight over time. Water the seedlings regularly, allowing the soil to slightly dry out between waterings.
Fertilize with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring to summer).
-
As the seedlings grow and develop, you can start shaping them into bonsai forms by using wiring and pruning techniques.
Begin wiring when the branches are young and flexible and be careful not to damage the delicate branches.
Prune back the branches regularly to encourage a dense, compact growth habit.
-
Repot the young Grewia occidentalis bonsai every 1-2 years to promote healthy root growth.
Repot in spring before the new growth starts.
Trim back some of the roots during repotting to maintain a balanced root-to-foliage ratio.
-
If your climate gets too cold during the winter, you might need to provide some protection for your bonsai.
Move it to a sheltered location or use frost cloth to protect it from freezing temperatures.
Featured Japanese Bonsai POts
These containers are exclusively imported from Japan by us. They are factory produced and hand finished. The quality is exceptional for the economical prices, although the artist made Tokonamecontainers remain superior.
