Bonsai African Wisteria

The long-lived African wisteria is certainly one of the most spectacular native trees of subtropical South Africa. The decorative, small to medium-sized deciduous tree only loses its leaves for a short time in spring. It is usually multi-stemmed but can be pruned to form a stem. The bark is brownish gray, rough and fissured. Its blue-lilac-colored and fragrant butterfly blossoms grow spirally arranged in panicles from spring to early summer on the drooping branches and can cover the whole tree. The flowers are followed by paper-like, brown fruit capsules that hang down from the branches in bunches.

Natural site
The African wisteria is native to subtropical South Africa, where it is now protected and may not be felled.

Cultivation
Cultivation is possible all year round. In order to increase the germination capacity of the seeds, they should first be allowed to soak in water at room temperature for 24 hours. Then place the seeds about an inch deep in moist potting soil at a distance of about 5 centimeters. Cover the cultivation vessel with cling film, which you have provided with holes. This protects the earth from drying out. Every two to three days you should remove the film for 2 hours. This prevents mold from forming on the potting soil. Place the cultivation vessel in a light and warm place with 20 to 25 ° Celsius and keep the cultivation soil moist, but not wet. After two to five weeks, the first seedlings appear, which can be repotted (pricked out) after another five to eight weeks.

Location
As a young plant, the African wisteria prefers partially shaded places; later, as an African beauty, he naturally loves locations in full sun.

Care
Water thoroughly as soon as the top layer of soil has dried – even during the flowering phase – and spray the leaves, ideally once a day. Fertilize little until flowering and after flowering until late autumn every 14 days with a special liquid bonsai fertilizer.

Winter
Older trees tolerate very light degrees of frost. Otherwise, the African wisteria is of course not hardy and should best overwinter in a light, dry place at 5 ° to 10 ° Celsius after the leaves have been shed in autumn. Now only water a little so that the root ball does not dry out.

Bonsai
yes