General Care Guide for a Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Bonsai
The Hinoki Cypress is a distinctive evergreen conifer known for its dense, fan-like foliage and often dramatic, swirling movement. It is prized for its textured bark and reliability as a bonsai species.
Placement and Temperature
- Sunlight: Hinoki Cypress prefers full sun but needs protection from the intense, scorching heat of the mid-day summer sun in hot climates. In these areas, place it where it receives morning sun and dappled or light shade in the afternoon. Good light is necessary to maintain dense, tight foliage.
- Temperature: It is a hardy evergreen that must remain outdoors year-round. Provide root protection when temperatures drop below -5C, such as storing the pot in an unheated shed or cold frame.
Watering and Feeding
- Watering: Water thoroughly when the topsoil is just dry. Hinoki Cypress must not be allowed to dry out completely at any time, as this leads to browning of the foliage that does not recover. Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy.
- Fertilisation: Feed consistently throughout the active growing season (early spring through early autumn). Use a balanced, slow-release organic fertiliser or a liquid feed. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers in late summer.
Pruning and Repotting
- Pruning: Never use scissors to prune the foliage pads, as this leaves brown, dead edges that are permanent.
- Technique: Pruning is done by pinching or plucking out the tips of the foliage pads with your fingers to maintain density and shape.
- Apex: Control the top (apex) aggressively, as it is the most dominant area. Thin out dense pads internally to allow light and air into the centre.
- Repotting: Repot every 2–5 years in early spring just before the main growth starts. Check the roots every 2 years.
- Root Work: The root system is delicate. Be gentle; reduce the root mass only by about 1/3 at a time.
- Soil: Use a fast-draining, well-aerated, but slightly moisture-retentive inorganic bonsai mix (e.g., higher percentage of Akadama) to help prevent the soil from drying out too quickly.
Wiring
- Timing: Wire during the dormant season or early spring.
- Wood: Branches are flexible when young but become stiff quickly. Be gentle, as older wood can split easily.
- Removal: Check the wire frequently, as the soft bark can be permanently damaged by cuts. Remove the wire as soon as the branch holds its new shape.