Campeche / Logwood / bloodwood tree / campeachy
(Haematoxylum campechianum)
Country of Origin : Central and South America
Bonsai Styles : Informal upright, slanting, root-over-rock, twin-trunk, clump, multi-trunk, group
Zone : 10 – 11
Logwood (aka Campeche, campeachy, bloodwood tree) is an evergreen,slow-growing, thorny bush, with gnarled branches and small, shiny, feather-like leaves that fold up at dusk. This is a relatively small tree that grows to a height of 20 to 26 feet (6 to 8 m) in the wild.
The light green, pinnate leaves of the tree close up as the light fades at nightfall.
The tree grows yellowish white inconspicuous flowers on its woody leaf axis.
When the plant is outdoors and in full sunlight, its new shoots are fiery red in color. There are thorns in the leaf axils or on the left and right sides of the petioles.
When its gnarled bark or a thick branch is pruned from the trunk, the tree exudes a blood-red sap. Hence, the tree is also called “bloodwood tree”. Over time, this sap turns deep black in color.
As an indoor bonsai, a logwood tree should only be grown by experienced bonsai growers. This tree is not recommended for bonsai beginners.
Read more about other bonsai trees species in : Types of bonsai tree
Best location to keep Campeche bonsai tree
A logwood bonsai tree requires bright, sunny, and warm conditions with high humidity all year round. (This tree needs plenty of light)
During the summer months, the bonsai can be moved outdoors to a sunny spot, although it must become accustomed to its new environment gradually. When the bonsai is kept indoors, keep it in a location with plenty of light and a temperature of 59°F to 71°F (15°C to 22°C).
In the winter as well, this bonsai needs to be in a warm location. A temperature higher than 59°F (15°C).
Make sure that you have made enough arrangements to keep the humidity in the room high. You can use a shallow tray of water with pebbles under the bonsai pot or even a humidifier.
Click here to read our detailed guide to indoor bonsai tree care.
IMP: Refer to do bonsai trees need sunlight for more indoor and outdoor bonsai location ideas. Also, refer sunlight requirements for indoor plants for more indoor gardening ideas.
Propagation of Campeche bonsai tree
Logwood can be propagated by using cuttings. Plant the cuttings in early summer.
For roots to emerge from the cutting, temperatures between 77°F and 86°F (25°C and 30°C) are required.
Alternatively, seeds can be used for propagation; however, seeds aren’t readily available.
Watering Campeche bonsai tree
Keep the bonsai soil moist at all times. Water thoroughly. However, make sure that you do not over water the tree.
In the winter months, if the tree is placed in a cooler location, reduce watering. Also ensure that the water is not too cold.
Furthermore, do not use hard tap water. If tap water is your only option, then dilute it with distilled water or let it stand for some time to reduce its hardness.
Read watering bonsai tree for more details and also about bonsai water immersion technique.
Wiring Campeche bonsai tree
It is best to wire logwood bonsai before the main growth period (early spring) or in the early fall, when the new shoots are long enough and slightly lignified.
It is possible to wire branches that are one or two years old. To prevent bark damage, older limbs should be guyed down.
Read : Detailed guide on How to wire a bonsai. This extensive guide includes all the wiring techniques and Do’s and Dont’s. It will also show you other bonsai training techniques which can be achieved without using wires.
Pruning Campeche bonsai tree
When to prune Campeche bonsai tree?
How to prune Campeche bonsai tree?
In the case of young bonsai trees, new shoots should be pruned back to one to three leaves once they have reached a length of 6 inches (15 cm).
Thicker branches can be pruned back in early spring. Wipe off the excess sap dripping from the pruning wound to avoid staining.
Read how to prune a bonsai to know about the right technique of pruning and more about defoliating a bonsai tree.
Repotting Campeche bonsai tree
When to repot Campeche bonsai tree?
Young Campeche bonsai trees can be repotted every 2 years in the spring. Older bonsai specimens can be repotted every 3rd year or when the roots are pot bound. Do not prune more than 1/3rd of the total root mass.
Use a free-draining, moisture-retaining bonsai soil mix.
You can also make a bonsai soil mix by mixing loam, peat moss and sand (1:1:1) OR fired clay particles, sand and potting compost (1:1:1).
Please check out how to repot a bonsai to know everything about repotting and root pruning a bonsai.
Must Read: Bonsai Soil Recipes
Must read : Choosing the right bonsai container
Feeding Campeche bonsai tree
From mid-spring to summer, apply liquid bonsai fertilizer every two weeks. During the fall and winter months, use it only once every four weeks.
Read more about bonsai fertilizer and its application. This will also give you more details on how to feed flowering bonsai trees.
Diseases and pest of Campeche bonsai tree
These trees can be attacked by Wood borers / tree borers.
You will notice peeling bark if the tree is infected. The tree will have saw-dust like material under the bark. There can even be small holes in the trunk of the tree from where sap will be dripping.
You can apply systemic insecticides. You can also use a direct spray of bifenthrin, permethrin, or carbaryl insecticides.
You can also apply some neem oil. Putting some garlic cloves around the tree has also been effective in some control of these pests.
Remember that these insects attack trees that are under stress. Healthy trees are not infected by these insects that often. Hence, the best way to avoid these pests is to take proper care of your bonsai.
Our comprehensive guide: How to identify and treat bonsai pests and diseases is a great resource for you to see all the organic and inorganic remedies you can use.
