Chinese Redbud Bonsai Care Guide

Across the growing season place your Chinese Redbud Bonsai tee in full sun. During the hottest days of the year in summer provide some semi-shade. These species can survive some frost but when planted in the ground, they require some protection. 

Keep the soil moist, but not saturated, while the tree is establishing. Water your Chinese Redbud well in summer. Reduce the frequency and water sparingly in winter.

Apply the first dose of half-strength liquid feed before the flowers bloom in April. Feed every two weeks after that throughout the growing season and summer. Stop feeding in winter to allow for dormancy and recovery. 

Start pruning during dormancy, this way the tree is less prone to damage or stress, ideally between late winter and early spring. New growths can be trimmed continually. New shoots should be reduced to two or three sets of leaves. Any crossed branches can be removed from the crown’s interior. 

Chinese Redbud are suitable for various forms of bonsai style. We recommend using wires with a thickness that matches the thickness of the branch: if the wire you choose is too thick you will damage the bark. If it is too thin, it won’t be effective.

Repotting your tree is an important way to provide a fresh and suitable soil mix and ensure appropriate root health. Repot your Chinese Redbud every two years in the Spring. 

Trees that are ready for repotting will require root pruning, a suitable new pot and appropriate soil mix.

When repotting, do not cut back the root mass by a large amount, and choose a well-draining soil mix that has a neutral or slightly higher PH value of 5-6 but not over 7. We tend to use a mixture of different speciality bonsai soils on our trees. Every species is different so please contact us for free soil-mix advice or to take advantage of our repotting service.