Tamarisk Bonsai Care Guide

For Tamarisk to thrive they need full sun but can withstand semi-shade. For temperate climates like the UK, an indoor location is advised as this species enjoys hotter climates. While hardy to temperatures down to -5 degrees C, this desert species appreciate a heat up to 35 degrees C.

Be sure to keep the soil moist at all times. Water plentifully particularly during the summer. Judge by assessing the top inch layer of soil for moisture. Do not waterlog the plant with overwatering. Reduce your watering come the winter months. 

Tamarix appreciate misting. This can be achieved by using a mister to spray the leaves, as well as placing a gravel tray under the pot to create a more humid microclimate around the tree and reduce evaporation from the leaves.

Make sure to feed your Tamarisk bonsai on a fortnightly basis across the growing season. 

Pruning your bonsai is important not only to create or maintain an aesthetic style but also to ensure optimal health. Tamarix should be trimmed in the Spring. Cutting back hard should be done in autumn. Removing all branches and twigs is not a necessity as they can be bent and moulded into the desired shape. 

Tamarix are suitable for cascade forms in particular due to their weeping foliage. Wiring downward is required for its weeping foliage. Be mindful that this is a fast-growing species that can easily cause set wires to cut into its bark. Keep vigilant on when to remove wires. 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 in early spring. Generally, your dawn redwood will need to be re-potted once every two years if it is young, while older ones can stay in their pots for longer. However, you should always check if it has become root-bound before you change pots. You can do this by lifting the tree gently out of the pot by the main trunk and examining the root system. You will know it is ready if you can see that the roots are circling around each other and the pot. If, however, they still appear contained in the soil, you should place it back and wait until the following spring to check again.  

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.