Chinese Myrtle

Chinese Myrtle Bonsai Tree (syzygium) is an indoor evergreen shrub. Chinese Myrtle grow small white flowers and berries which can be used to make liqueur

Chinese Myrtle (syzygium)

Placement

Chinese myrtle bonsai trees can be grown both indoors and outdoors, depending on where you live: in the UK it is best kept indoors but placed outside during hot and sunny days as it likes a lot of air and light. If placing outside, choose a location that receives ample sunlight throughout the day, but provide semi-shade during the midday when the sun is at its strongest to prevent leaf burn. In the autumn, winter months and early spring months, protect your tree from temperatures that fall below 10 °C by bringing it inside.

When placing indoors, choose a windowsill that gets plenty of sunlight. Chinese myrtle bonsai tree can tolerate low light conditions, but this may result in slower growth and discolouration of the leaves. If you need to place your chinese myrtle bonsai tree in a location with lower light levels, consider supplementing with artificial grow lights to provide the 4-6+ hours of light per day that gives adequate energy for healthy growth and flowering in the summer. The Chinese myrtle bonsai tree can withstand high temperatures of up to 40 °C but not cold temperatures.

Watering

There is no definitive guide to watering and it should be conducted on an observational schedule, not a routine. This means that it is important to keep an eye on the moisture levels of the soil to avoid over and under watering, both of which can lead to dropping leaves and/or root death. The amount of water a bonsai requires depends on pot size, climate, airflow, soil and tree type so it is best to use your eyes and fingers to assess whether the soil is damp, wet or dry. As a general guide, if the top inch or so has dried, it is ready to be watered. When you water, ensure an even coverage over the roots and soil, allowing water to flow out from the bottom of the pot to allow for a good soaking. Never let the soil dry out completely and never let your bonsai sit in water for long periods of time.

The Chinese myrtle bonsai tree does not like high concentrations of lime so if you live in a hard water area it is best to use rainwater where possible. To balance the high heat required by a myrtle, most of which can be very drying when inside the house, place the bonsai on top of a tray of water that is filled with gravel (to stop the bottom of the pot sitting in water). When this water evaporates it will create a humid environment around the tree.

Fertilising

Using fertiliser on your Chinese myrtle bonsai tree will help encourage healthy growth and this should be done periodically from once a week to every two months and only during the growing season. You can start adding nutrients to your water from March until October and use weekly. If using solid fertilizer, use once every one to two months. With bonsai trees, less is more and we tend to advise using half the recommended dosage to see how your bonsai reacts first. During the winter months, your tree will be resting and it is not necessary to continue feeding. However, if the temperature is kept above 10 °C and you can see some signs of new growth, then continue to fertilise a little.

Pruning and wiring

Pruning your bonsai is important not only to maintain or create an aesthetic style but to also ensure light and airflow can reach inner foliage. The Chinese Myrtle bonsai tree thickens rapidly and frequent trimming will produce a dense network of fine branches (ramification). To do this, after flowering, use appropriate tools to cut back stems which have grown longer than at least six to eight leaves, leaving the two leaves which are closest to the stem intact to ensure new buds will be produced.

Training your bonsai using wiring is easy when working with the younger shoots, but older shoots of the Chinese Myrtle bonsai tree can crack and break, requiring more care and risk.

Repotting

Repotting your tree is an important way to provide a fresh and suitable soil mix and ensure appropriate root health. As a general rule, your Chinese myrtle will produce more flowers if it is a little root bound. Younger specimens can be repotted every two to three years, while older ones can wait every three to five years. Prune the roots only lightly and choose a well-draining soil mix that is lime free.