Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Bonsai Care Guide
The Hinoki Cypress is a popular conifer species native to Japan, highly valued for bonsai due to its naturally fine, fan-shaped foliage, deep green colour, and textured, reddish-brown bark.1 It allows for the creation of ancient-looking, highly refined tree forms.
Placement & Light
- Outdoor Only: Hinoki are hardy evergreens and must be kept outdoors year-round to experience seasonal changes. Do not keep them indoors.
- Light: Prefers full morning sun and light afternoon shade.
- Air Circulation: Ensure good airflow around the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.
- Winter: It is generally cold-hardy, but protect the pot and roots from deep, sustained freezing below -10C by placing the tree in a cold frame or unheated structure.
Watering
- Consistency is Crucial: Hinoki require consistent moisture. They hate to dry out completely.
- The Check: Water thoroughly when the topsoil just begins to dry to the touch. Do not let the root ball become bone dry.
3. 🍲 Feeding (Fertilising)
- Timing: Feed regularly throughout the growing season (early spring to late autumn).
- Type: Use a balanced, slow-release organic fertiliser or a liquid feed applied every 1–2 weeks.
- Avoid High Nitrogen: If the goal is density and refinement, avoid fertilisers with excessively high nitrogen content, which can lead to large, coarse foliage pads.
Pruning & Styling
- Pinching: Do not use the traditional pinching method on Hinoki Cypress, as this can leave brown stubs that take a long time to heal.
- Pruning: Maintain the shape by tipping back the new growth using small scissors, removing the strongest tips to encourage side branching and denser pads.
- Dead Growth: Hinoki Cypress has a tendency to shed inner, older foliage.
- Wiring: Branches are flexible when young. Wire carefully, as the bark is thin and can scar easily.
Repotting
- Frequency: Younger trees every 2-3 years; mature, refined trees every 3-5 years.
- Timing: Early spring, just as the buds begin to swell and before the active growth phase starts.
- Soil: Use a fast-draining bonsai soil mix (e.g., Akadama, Pumice, Lava Rock). Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
- Root Pruning: Be conservative, as root disturbance can cause the foliage to temporarily turn brown. Only remove about 1/3 of the roots at one time.