Ma-Ke Bonsai

Bonsai Tree Care Guide

Tamarindus indica

Tamarind, Indian tamarind, kily tree, Imli

Description

Tamarind is a large, beautiful evergreen tropical tree that can grow up to 75' tall. The trunk has cracks, down and across; the bark is brown-gray. It has a dense and spreading crown of bipinnate foliage and numerous yellow, with red and purple filaments, flowers.The brown woody pod contains the seeds; black, shiny squares surrounded by pulp. Tamarind is a slow grower but can live and still remains productive for 150 years or longer.

Styles:

Formal upright, Informal Upright, Slanting, Cascade, Semi-cascade, Literate, Broom, Rock-over-root, Clasped-to-rock, Twin-trunk, Group planting, Saikei

Location:

Indoor

Position:

Full Sun minimum indoor temperature should always be above 10C

Watering:

Prefers a dryish soil, allow surface soil to dry out slightly between waterings, before watering thoroughly.

Feeding:

Every alternate week during the growing season. Use an organic feed. Inorganic feed can make the leaflets quite large.

Leaf and Branch Pruning:

Let young branch grow - until end of summer then prune back hard to desired position, along with removal of branches not necessary for the final design.

Re-potting & Growing Medium:

In young plants remove and prune excess roots every year. In older plants - every 2-3 years. Use basic bonsai mix, 1 part loam, 1 part peat, one part sharp sand. Best to prune when night time temperatures are well above 10C.

Wiring:

From late spring to summer. Heavier branches may need to be shaped with anchor wires.

Notes:

Indoor ensure that a it is placed in full sunlight is chosen, minimum daytime light requirements in the region of 1500 Lux, which means that for most of us in the UK we need to provide additional winter lighting. In summer the pants benefit buy being moved outdoors. Move plants back indoor in August.