Cedar (Cedrus species) Bonsai Care Guide
Cedar is a stately evergreen, known for its layered, horizontal branching and clusters of fine needles. Species commonly used for bonsai include Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica), Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara), and Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani).
Placement & Light
- Outdoor Only: Cedars are hardy outdoor conifers that need a cold winter dormancy. Do not keep them indoors.
- Light: They thrive in full, direct sunlight. More sun encourages denser growth and overall vitality.
- Summer Protection: In the hottest part of summer above 30C, provide light afternoon shade.
- Winter: They are frost-tolerant, but the pot and roots should be protected from the deepest freezes below -5C by placing the tree in an unheated garage or burying the pot.
Watering
- Avoid Wet Feet: Cedars prefer to be kept slightly on the dry side.
- The Check: Water thoroughly only when the topsoil is dry to the touch. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings, especially in winter.
- Sign of Overwatering: Yellowing needle tips often indicate the soil is too wet.
Feeding (Fertilising)
- Timing: Feed every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser, or use a slow-release organic pellet fertiliser, throughout the growing season (early spring to late autumn).
- Caution: Reduce or stop feeding during the hottest part of summer and during winter dormancy.
Pruning & Styling
- Pinching: The best way to manage new growth is by pinching back the elongating new shoots (candles) in spring or summer to encourage back-budding and ramification .
- Structural Pruning: Major structural cuts and heavy branch removal are best done in early spring before the new flush of growth.
- Wiring: Young branches are flexible and can be wired.
Repotting
- Frequency: Cedars are slow-growing and dislike root disturbance. Repot sparingly, typically every 3-5 years for mature trees, or every 2-3 years for younger trees.
- Timing: The ideal time is early spring just as buds begin to swell. Some practitioners also repot in late summer/early autumn.
- Soil: Use a very fast-draining, gritty bonsai soil mix (e.g., Akadama, Pumice, Lava Rock).
- Root Pruning: Be conservative with root pruning; do not remove a large mass of roots at once, as this can severely stress the tree and cause older needles to drop.