Giant Sequoia Bonsai Care
XL dish giant sequoia bonsai
Large dish giant sequoia bonsai
Medium dish giant sequoia bonsai
1) The Sequoiadendron giganteum is only unique in its care requirements to other more common bonsai tree species in the water requirements. With the giant sequoia, constantly moist soil is preferred. Most species prefer a wet then dry, then wet then dry regimen. The sequoia prefers consistent moisture. An occasional soaking is good but an occasional drying is bad for the sequoias. Think moist not muddy. The giant sequoia will tolerate virtually every extreme in nature except drought.
2) Sequoias are ravenous feeders and will grow accordingly. It is a mistake to attempt to miniaturize the giant sequoia by withholding nourishment. Miniaturization must be done with bonsai techniques such as root pruning and selective branch pruning. Feed your shallow potted sequoia with regularity during the growing season. Cut back some during extremes in temperatures. Following the instructions on the box of Miracle Grow 20-20-20 will work just fine.
3) The giant sequoia is an outside tree. Direct sun for at least a portion of the day will be necessary for vitality. Be careful when the temperatures get high. The sequoias will suck all of the moisture out of the container in a short time on a hot day. If the summer becomes blistering hot move the sequoias to a shadier spot so they don’t dry out. High temperatures (100° F+) are not harmful to the foliage but will cause the roots to wither. Try to keep the roots cool in the summer (90° F or less). It’s ok to move the sequoias into the house for a period of time if the outside is too hot. Just remember to move them back out for sun occasionally when the temperatures are more moderate. During the winters in cold climates the danger is not cold it is, once again, dehydration. The trees can dehydrate even though the temperatures are below freezing. The best thing to do is to construct a well-drained pit and place the shallow potted trees into it. Water the trees well before a freeze and then bury the trees in snow if possible. They will remain in perfect condition, just as they do in nature, buried in snow for the entire winter. That will insulate them from the drying cold winds and preserve them perfectly. If there is no snow you may need to take them into a garage or cellar occasionally to thaw them out and water them good. It’s not a good idea to keep them long in a heated house in the wintertime. They will harden themselves in preparation for winter but sudden extreme changes in temperature are shocking to them.
4) Remember to work towards keeping the tree in its natural proportions so that you don’t wind up with a morbid looking freak. The diameter of the branching spread should be around 6 times the diameter of the trunk at its base upon completion. The tree height should be 7 to 9 times the trunk diameter and the branching should start about halfway up the trunk.