Care Guide Larch - MiKo Bonsai Leicester

Bonsai
Larch
Care Guide
Larix
MiKo
Bonsai
Larches are a very popular subjects for bonsai, with large trunked raw material relatively easy to obtain. Being one of only a few
species of deciduous conifer, it has the advantage of its radical change in appearance of its foliage through the seasons. Larches
produce cones at an early age and cones persist on the tree for a number of years.
Larches are good subjects for the beginner as they are easy to look after and hardy enough to withstand a few mistakes made.
The only thing that is really going to upset a larch is when the roots are disturbed while it is in leaf.
The most common varieties used for bonsai in the UK are:
Larix decidua / European Larch
Native to central and southern Europe, the European Larch grows extremely fast , eventually reaching heights of up to 50 metres.
Once mature, it becomes broader with a flattened crown and gracefully drooping branches . Its leaves are 1-3 cm long, flat, soft
and pale green turning to golden yellow in Autumn. It has greyish bark that forms cracks and ridges as the tree matures.
Larix kaempferi / Japanese Larch
Native to Japan, the Japanese Larch is also widely planted in other parts of the world as a forestry tree due to its vigour. Young
trees grow faster than the European Larch, although its ultimate height is similar. The branches of Larix kaempferi spread more or
less horizontally, rather than showing the drooping habit of the European Larch. The main way to differentiate between the two
species is the colour of the new twigs in winter; Larix kaempferi has a reddish colour whilst Larix decidua is yellowish straw colour.
Larix x eurolepsis / Dunkeld Larch
A hybrid of L. decidua and L. kaempferi, the Dunkeld Larch displays characteristics of both its parents.
Position
Larches are not suitable for indoor growing!
Place in a sunny position or in dappled shade. Protect in very severe weather in winter and temperatures below -10°C.
Larches produce shorter, more compact needles in cooler climates similar to their native habitat; in hot and humid conditions their
needles will grow longer.
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist.
Feeding
Feed heavily with a high nitrogen feed as soon as buds appear in Spring to force vigorous growth. Continue to feed well until
mid-summer when the tree will enter a semi-dormant period. From late-Summer onwards revert to a low-nitrogen feed to strengthen
the tree for the coming Winter.
Repotting
Larches resent being pot-bound and need repotting annually or bi-annually in Spring as start to turn green. Use basic soil mix.
Pruning
Hard pruning and formative pruning is best carried out in late Winter, Larches need judicious pruning at this time of year to retain
their shape. Maintenance pruning should be carried out through the year by pinching back new shoots; allowing new growth to
extend first before pinching back will allow the branches and trunk to thicken. Larches are very vigorous and can replace pruned
growth within a matter of weeks.
Wiring
Larches are best wired in Spring when the leaf buds turn green and the bare branches can still be seen. Take care not to knock
off the new buds. Larch branches thicken rapidly and wire should inspected regularly to ensure it is not cutting in. Old branches
can be successfully wired though if the bark is rough it can mark easily and the use of guy wires is preferable.
Pests and Diseases
Aphids and scale insects. Treat infestations with a proprietary insecticide as soon as detected.