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Bonsai Care Instructions - Hawaiian Umbrella in a Lava Rock
HAWAIIAN UMBRELLA TREE IN A LAVA ROCK (arboricola “schefflera”)
The Hawaiian Umbrella Tree bonsai tree is beautiful in appearance and is very easy to care for and propagate. The Hawaiian Umbrella, or Schefflera arboricola, is a flowering plant in the family Araliaceae, As it is an evergreen, it has dark green leaves year round that fan out into an umbrella form. The Hawaiian Umbrella tree has many characteristics that make it an excellent choice for beginners, as it does extremely well under various lighting conditions and isn’t too picky about watering and soil conditions.
How To Take Proper Care Of Your Indoor Bonsai Tree
Bonsai is the reproduction of natural tree forms in miniature. This art form has its origin in Japan and China where it has been practiced for centuries. Bonsai are grown in pots and are totally dependent on you for their care.
With proper care, your bonsai will remain healthy, beautiful and miniature for many years to come. Since your bonsai is a living miniature tree, it will increase in beauty as it matures through the years. The instructions below are just the basics and, therefore, we recommend that you purchase one of the many fine books available on the subject.
PLACEMENT
Your Hawaiian Umbrella tree in a Lava Rock likes warm and humid conditions best. Outside placement requires filtered sunlight. Inside, the plants should be kept away from excessive heat and cold. A bright window sill or on a table directly in front of a window sill is best.
WATERING
The watering of your bonsai must never be neglected. Water the entire rock twice a week, being sure to keep some water in a saucer or tray.
HUMIDITY
During the cold months, when your bonsai is inside, we recommend placing it in a shallow tray filled with a layer of gravel with water added. This provides extra moisture around the tree as the water evaporates and reduces the amount of moisture lost to modern heating systems.
FERTILIZING
Fertilizing is also necessary if your bonsai is to remain healthy and beautiful. Since your bonsai is growing in such a small amount of soil it is necessary to replenish the soil's supply of nutrients periodically. Any general-purpose liquid fertilizer will do fine and is available at most garden centers. We suggest that fertilizers be used at half their recommended strength. Fertilizer should be applied at least once a month except during winter. Your bonsai will also respond well to foliar feeding, with a water-soluble fertilizer applied every other month as a spray.
TRAINING
This brief explanation of basic care does not cover training. Training deals with the art of bonsai and should be thoroughly understood before undertaking -- or left to a professional. However, most of the true bonsai trees you find have already been through their training period, thus requiring only periodic trimming and pinching to remain miniature.
TRIMMING & PINCHING
Trimming and pinching keep your tree miniature. Pinch and trim back the new growth to the farthest safe point. Never should all of the new growth be removed. A little should be left to sustain the health of the tree. Tropical and sub-tropical trees used for bonsai will require periodic pinching and trimming throughout the year. Since different trees grow at different rates, it is necessary to evaluate each tree’s rate of growth and adjust your trimming and pinching to accommodate it.
INSECTS & DISEASES
Since your bonsai is a tree in miniature, it can be treated for insects and diseases the same as any other tree. If you discover any insects or diseases, visit our website where you will be able to obtain the necessary products to eliminate the problem.