The tree returns to 100 % function
Over the winter it lived on its reserves. As it had neither leaves, nor active rootlets, it drew on its energy reserves for survival. These reserves were accumulated at the last vegetative cycle the previous autumn. The more a tree has reserves, the more its awakening from dormancy will be strong and effective.
The buds open and the new leaves spread
Needs of the tree: Plenty of food to encourage growth.
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Needs of the tree:
Plenty of food to encourage growth. Repot, fertilise; wire, prune.
Water every day.
It’s full steam ahead for your bonsai — buds open, leaves develop, rootlets are fully functioning! Prunus are in flower. In the North of Europe it is the awakening of the trees. Watch out for frost, which can damage tender growths or barely opened buds.
Placement
The tree needs sun and water. The more of these two elements that are evident, the faster you will see results. If there is lack of sun, the leaves will be larger, and the internodes will lengthen, too.
Fertilizing
Trees in formation and young ones: apply plenty of nitrogen, that is, give a fertiliser with a higher N rating rather than P and K. Solid organic fertiliser or liquid. Apply liquid fertiliser every week, solid fertiliser every 15 days to one month. Add a well-composted humus to the surface. Specific leaf fertiliser can be used if it is rich in trace elements. Indeed, a contribution of trace elements is necessary at this time of the year. Attention with chemical fertilisers, which are instantaneous but can burn the roots and don’t contain trace elements. Lastly, if you use fertiliser for tropical indoor plants, apply them only in the prescribed amounts, not in half-amounts as you might have read elsewhere.
Watering
Trees in formation: regularly provide ample water. Mature trees: similar to fertilizer, water regularly but in moderation to prevent overly large leaves and excessively long internodes. If there is a lack of water, the leaves will become weak and the internodes will be shorter.
Treatment
Parasitic insects must be detected, because they can multiply on well-fertilised trees. In particular, watch out forscale insects, aphids in particular.
Activities
Bring your trees out of the cold greenhouse or shelter. Turn them regularly so that they are receiving an identical amount of light on their four sides.
- Graft: possible on leafy trees.
- Conifers: possible to carry out repotting and grafting. From the end of the month spray moderately with water so that the new needles stay small.
- Maples: pinch buds as soon as they open to avoid lengthening of the internodes. When the bud opens, two small leaves spread. Then a small branch emerges between them. It is necessary to pinch it, that is, remove it with the nails before it grows and so its leaves are not spread.
- Azaleas: repotting before flowering at the beginning of the month. You can also wire them carefully. Wood is not yet too brittle. It will become brittle, and therefore easily snapped, when the sap runs from May to July.
- Fruits and flower trees: structural pruning after flowering.
- Leafy trees: Trim to thicken. Prune the new small branches leaving 2 nodes to bring them closer to the trunk, and to encourage ramification in pairs. This kind of trimming helps to make the tips denser. On mature trees leave the small branches to grow so that later they lignify. They will be pruned once lignified to allow a back budding.
