The orange bonsai is one of the most interesting types of bonsai to have at home.
This is because these trees not only produce fruits but also produce fragrant flowers almost year-round.
This bonsai is usually made from calamondin (Citrus × microcarpa), a hybrid between a mandarin and a kumquat, sold in the US as a miniature orange tree.
Calamondin has glossy, dark green leaves, and its flowers are white with a pleasant fragrance.
The flowers and fruits appear almost together; the fruit is initially dark green but matures and turns orange over time.
The fruits are small, usually 2.5 to 4 cm (1 to 1.5 inches) across, and edible, although quite sour.
Continue reading this article to learn how to make and cultivate the orange bonsai.
How to make an orange bonsai
To make this bonsai, the first thing you need to obtain is calamondin seeds.
But be careful, these seeds should come from a healthy tree to avoid future problems.
Below is the step-by-step guide to making the orange bonsai.
- Obtain calamondin seeds.
- Remove all pulp from the seeds.
- Plant them at a depth twice their size.
- Cultivate them for at least one or two years, until the trunk thickens.
- Remove the plants from the soil.
- Trim the roots to turn it into a bonsai.
- Prune the tree to achieve the desired style.
- Replant them in a bonsai pot.
Keep in mind that seed-grown trees take several years to flower. If you want fruit sooner, start with a nursery calamondin or a rooted cutting.
In addition to these steps, there are also some precautions you should take.
For example, when cultivating your orange seeds, ensure that the soil temperature is between 20°C and 30°C (68°F and 86°F).
This is the temperature range in which calamondin develops best.
How to care for an orange bonsai
Cultivating the orange bonsai is usually done outdoors.
This is one of the simplest bonsais to cultivate, especially if you live in regions where temperatures are warm or moderate.
So if you are a beginner, the orange bonsai, just like the bamboo bonsai, is a great option to grow.
Here are some tips for caring for this plant:
Soil
Let’s start with a factor that can greatly affect your cultivation: the soil.
Like the majority of bonsais, orange trees prefer soil with good drainage and rich in nutrients.
In addition to good drainage and nutrients, aim to provide the following requirements for your bonsai:
- Ensure that your soil is not excessive in acidity or alkalinity. The ideal pH is slightly acidic, between 5.5 and 6.5.
- Use a pot with drainage holes and a coarse, well-draining mix (for example, akadama or pine bark with pumice or perlite). Avoid placing rocks at the bottom: this actually holds more water in the soil.
Temperature
Temperature is the easiest factor for this bonsai.
Calamondin is one of the most cold-hardy citrus trees: mature trees in the ground can survive brief drops to about −6°C (20°F).
A bonsai, however, has a small root system in a shallow pot, so bring it indoors or to a protected spot when temperatures drop below 5°C (41°F).
Very low temperatures can hinder the growth of this plant.
Therefore, ensure that it is exposed to temperatures between 13°C and 32°C (55°F to 90°F).
If the temperature exceeds 32°C (90°F), avoid exposing the orange tree to direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day.
Read also:
- Mulberry Bonsai – How to Care in 7 Steps (With Photos)
- Pomegranate Bonsai – How to Care in 6 Simple Steps
- Jabuticaba Bonsai – Care to Have Fruits
- Boxwood Bonsai (Buxus) – Step-by-Step Care Guide
- Lemon Bonsai – Discover How to Easily Cultivate Them
Lighting
Like all citrus, the orange bonsai needs plenty of sun: at least 6 hours of direct light a day.
Lighting is also closely related to temperature.
To provide optimal lighting for your plant, follow the tips below:
- Intense heat: Sunlight in the morning and afternoon, but avoid direct sunlight at noon.
- Average or cool temperature: Provide light throughout the day.
Repotting
Repotting for bonsais occurs when your tree has outgrown its current pot.
This usually happens every 2 to 3 years, but I recommend checking your plant’s roots every year.
Repot your orange bonsai in early spring, before new growth starts.
If your bonsai starts yellowing its leaves after repotting, it may be stressed.
If this happens, be patient, as it will likely recover over time.
To learn more about what can cause your bonsai to turn yellow, dry, or lose its leaves, see the article on common bonsai problems: yellowing, drying or falling leaves.
Pot
Before planting or repotting your orange bonsai, you should choose the pot you will use.
And in almost all bonsais, the choice is the same: a small, wide and shallow pot. This prevents the roots from growing too much.
As for the shape, you can choose whichever suits you best.
Options include circular, rectangular, or oval.
Pruning
To learn how to prune your orange bonsai, watch the video below.
But remember that pruning orange trees is a bit different.
Avoid heavy pruning during flowering, since the flowers become the fruits.
In addition, thin out the fruits on young trees and harvest them as soon as they ripen, since they use up a lot of your plant’s energy.
Watering
Watering is one of the most important requirements for this bonsai.
Orange trees are plants that love water, but beware, they do not like to be waterlogged.
Basically, you will water the plant when the substrate dries out.
On average, you will water your plant:
- Every 2 or 3 days in winter and colder periods.
- 1 or 2 times a day during hot days (always check the soil first).
Be very careful not to overwater and cause root rot in your bonsai.
Fertilization
Fertilization is a process that should be carried out frequently in bonsais.
Because their roots are confined to a small pot, bonsais quickly use up the nutrients in the soil.
In the case of oranges, fertilization should occur every 15 to 30 days using a special bonsai fertilizer.
Preferably, use liquid fertilizers and dilute them to half the recommended strength on the packaging.
As with the lemon bonsai, a citrus fertilizer with micronutrients (iron, zinc and magnesium) is a great choice.
Pests
Finally, let’s discuss pests that can attack this plant.
Being a fruit-bearing tree, oranges attract many insects, especially:
- Mites
- Aphids
- Weevils
- Scale insects
- Leaf miners
- Ants (they protect aphids and scale insects)
However, be aware that these pests are more likely to appear on weak or stressed plants.
If you want to learn how to combat these and other pests, see the article on pests and diseases in bonsais.
Conclusion
This completes the comprehensive guide on how to create a bonsai from the calamondin, the most popular “orange” for bonsai.
Other small citrus trees, such as the kumquat (Citrus japonica), can also be trained as bonsai.
Sources: University of Florida IFAS Extension and Washington State University Extension.
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