Cercis siliquastrum
Judas Tree Bonsai
Native to eastern Mediterranean regions, this deciduous tree is adorned in small heart-shaped leaves for the majority of the year. Come the spring, Ceris siliquastrum bare breathtaking rose lilac flowers. This bonsai is the very same tree of biblical legend.
Judas Tree Bonsai Care Tips
Placement
Across the growing season place your Judas Tree Bonsai 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.
Watering
Judas Trees need constant moisture for their rootball and should at no point be allowed to dry out entirely. Water throughout the summer and sparingly in winter.
Feeding & Fertilising
Across the growing season be sure to feed your Judas Tree bonsai every week with liquid feed. If using solid organic feed then every month. Balanced products promote flowers and fruit.
Pruning & Wiring
Unwanted shoots and buds can be removed at any time. During the growing season, young shoots should be trimmed back to two or three leaves. Older branches are appropriate for pruning in spring after flowering.
The best time to wire Judas Tree bonsai is in June. Be mindful that older branches will be considerably stiffer. 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
Repotting your tree is an important way to provide a fresh and suitable soil mix and ensure appropriate root health. Repot your Judas Tree bonsai every two or three years in spring before the onset of growth.
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.
The Cercis genus is a subfamily of the Fabaceae and comprises 10 species. Among those used for Bonsai is the Chinese Redbud. Found the world over bar Oceania, these species have signature heart-shaped leaves and pink to red flowers.
Bonsai trees aren’t only magnificent additions to an indoor oasis, they are more than capable of standing out in any garden. Many Bonsai species are incredibly hardy and withstand nature’s colder and damper turns with aplomb making them worthwhile outdoor plants. We have an extensive library of care guides for outdoor bonsai trees. It’s not about selecting the perfect bonsai, it’s about selecting the perfect bonsai for you.
Judas Tree Bonsai - Typical Queries
How to propagate Judas Tree Bonsai?
Judas Tree can be propagated in a variety of ways including seed, cuttings, grafting and layering. Seeds should be sown in a well-draining soil mixture in Spring. Semi-hardwood cuttings can be used in mid-summer. Air layering is a viable option with an older parent plant.
Do Judas Tree bonsai get pests and diseases?
Judas Tree Bonsai can get pests. These are likely to cause withering or a yellow turn of the foliage. Leafhoppers, scale and aphids will require specific pesticides. Verticillium wilt, canker and coral spot can also arise.
Can you keep a Judas Tree bonsai indoors?
Judas Tree can be kept indoors if provided with significant sunlight which it demands, particularly in the growing season. Growing indoor will also provide consistent protection from first which is a must for this species.
