Ligustrum Bonsai
Growing A Ligustrum Bonsai
There are a several species of the 50 or so different species of the ligustrum plant which lend themselves to an attractive ligustrum bonsai tree. The ligustrum plant, a member of Oleaceae family, and more commonly known in many places as the privet, is usually grown as a landscaping or privacy hedge due to its attractive yet dense foliage. Being a woody plant and an evergreen, ligustrum is in many ways an ideal plant to train when one has an attractive miniature tree in mind. Ligustrum can be trained to form all of the more classic shapes associated with bonsai plants and trees, as most species of the plant are quite tolerant of heavy pruning.
The ligustrum, or privet plant, is not native to North America, and when not grown in a controlled landscaping environment can become quite invasive. Some are allergic to the pollen of several of the ligustrum species, something to bear in mind when choosing one of these plants for a bonsai project. If allergies will not be a problem however, the end result can be very rewarding. Three of the favored species of ligustrum for bonsai applications are L. japonicum, the Japanese or wax privet, L. sinense, the Chinese privet, and L. sinense 'Variegata', which features small white to yellowish variegated leaves.
General Care - The ligustrum is a plant well suited for temperate zones, hardy in USDA zones 7-11. When the in a container however, particularly a small one, it should be overwintered indoors to avoid a risk the root system becoming frozen. Otherwise, this bonsai plant will be at its best when growing outside during the spring and summer months, and taken inside, and best placed in a cooler location, in the winter.
A ligustrum bonsai is not particular about the soil it is placed in. Most bonsai trees do best when placed in a very coarse soil mixture, but ligustrum seems not to care as long as the soil it's in allows for good drainage. A ligustrum bonsai will need to be re potted every year however. The pest most apt to affect the plant are similar to those affecting many house plants, principally white flies, spider mites, scale and aphids. Leaf spot and root rot are about the only diseases apt to affect the plant, but are seldom a problem when the plant is well attended and cared for.
Watering And Feeding Your Ligustrum Bonsai - Avoid over watering this type of bonsai, especially since it can grow in finer soils than do many bonsai plants. A good watering now and then won't hurt the plant as long as any excess water is allowed to drain away rapidly, and the plant is not left standing in a saucer of water. Less water is usually needed in the winter, but be careful not to let the soil dry out completely.
Insofar as fertilizing is concerned, a light feeding of a general purpose fertilizer once a month during the growing season will usually suffice. A fertilizer with an NPK of 10-10-10 will be fine.
While not all that difficult to care for, bonsai plants do require careful and consistent attention, primarily to avoid their drying out. Just remember that a plant in a small container usually cannot be neglected for a lengthy period of time. Ligustrum can be a nice choice for someone just becoming acquainted with the art of bonsai. Most species of the plant, suitable for a bonsai application, are not too expensive; in addition, many of the favored species are fairly rapid growers. That coupled with the plant's tolerance of being pruned can allow some of the mistakes that beginners are apt to make to be overcome, or one can tart all over again if need be without having suffered a tremendous loss of time or money.