Firethorn
(Pyracantha)
Country of Origin : Europe, China
Bonsai Styles : Informal upright, semi-cascade, cascade, twin trunk, broom, root-over-rock
Zone : 6 – 9
Pyracanthas are evergreen shrubs.
In summer, they produce masses of tiny creamy-white flowers. These shrubs are also grown for their stunning yellow, orange or scarlet colored berries which grow in clusters.
Slender stems of this tree are covered with these beautiful berries in fall. Additionally, the tree easily grows a thick trunk.
It has oval shaped glossy green leaves. All these characteristics combine together to make a beautiful Firethorn bonsai.
In many ways, pyracanthas resemble cotoneasters, except that they have sharp thorns.
Pyracantha bonsai tree is easy to train and care for, making it one of the ideal choices for beginner bonsai enthusiasts. While pyracantha is a shrubby plant, it can be grown into a single-trunk bonsai specimen successfully.
Many varieties of Pyracantha are used to make bonsai. To name a few Pyracantha angustifolia bonsai and Pyracantha coccinea bonsai are a common variety.
There is also a dwarf variety of the plant – Pyracantha coccinea ‘Teton’. It is highly suitable for compact small size bonsai.
Best location to keep Firethorn Bonsai
Firethorn bonsai tree can be kept in full sun or partial shade. In the growing season, a good temperature range for the plant is 54 to 68°F (12 to 20°C).
Firethorn bonsai are best kept outside in the summertime to ensure they pollinate well.
These trees can tolerate a brief period of freezing temperatures. However, in winter, protect the plant from hard frost. Ideally, a temperature above 45°F (7°C) is good for the plant in winter.
Keep your bonsai in an unheated shed. In case, the temperatures falls below 23°F (-5°C), move the pot to a heated location.
In very cold weather, Pyracantha loses its leaves. Frost damage or winter death may result from prolonged exposure to freezing winds or frost.
Refer sunlight requirements for indoor plants for more indoor gardening ideas. Also, refer to do bonsai trees need sunlight for more indoor and outdoor bonsai location ideas.
Propagation of Firethorn
Firethorn tree can be propagated by using stem cuttings in any time of the year.
It can also be propagated by sowing seeds in winter or fall.
Also, air layering can be done in the period of spring to early summer.
Watering Firethorn Bonsai
Pyracantha bonsai trees require watering throughout the year, just like other evergreen plants.
This tree is a little tolerant to dry soil. However, if the bonsai soil is allowed to dry too often, the leaves will wilt and fall. Also, dry soil will cause slow flowering.
Frequency of watering in winter should be reduced. But make sure the soil is moist. This will protect the foliage from cold winds.
Read watering bonsai tree for more details about immersion technique.
Wiring Firethorn Bonsai
You can wire the branches from late fall or early spring. Be careful while you wire the branches as they are still and will easily break.
Wires can be left on the plant for almost an year.
Pruning Firethorn Bonsai
When to prune Firethorn bonsai?
How to prune Firethorn bonsai?
In mid-summer, prune back the new shoots that appear after flowering.
During the winter, prune the plant again, trimming dead shoots and pruning some of the old flowering stems in order to promote new lateral shoots.
Make sure not to prune all of the next year’s buds.
The new shoots that have emerged after pruning, let them grow untouched until the fruits have set, and then prune them to three or four leaves.
Trim large leaves as needed throughout the growing season.
Pinching Firethorn Bonsai
The overextended shoots should be pinched only during flowering and when the fruit is mature.
These are thorny shrubs, so be careful when pinching with fingers. You can use sharp scissors instead.
Repotting Firethorn Bonsai
When to repot Firethorn bonsai?
Firethorn bonsai tree can be repotted in early spring.
Younger trees can be repotted every year.
Mature vigorous trees can be repotted every other year.
You can use a basic free-draining bonsai soil mix as a potting soil.
OR
You can also use a soil mix consisting of 40% grit and 60% organic matter.
OR
You can also use a mix of sharp sand, peat (or compost) and loam in the ration of 1:1:2.
Must Read: Bonsai Soil Recipes
Must read : Choosing the right bonsai container
Feeding Firethorn Bonsai
Apply a balanced feed once a week till the flowers start emerging. Stop feeding once the flowers are produced.
Once the flowering has stopped, start feeding the plant a low-nitrogen feed.
In case the plant fails to produce flowers, feed a low-nitrogen feed all through the growing season. And in fall, switch to nitrogen-free feed in fall.
In case the fruit does not set after flowering, instead of low-nitrogen feed, try nitrogen-free feed the next year after blooming.
Read more about applying feed to flowering bonsai in bonsai fertilizer and its application.
Diseases and pest of Firethorn Bonsai
Fireblight is one of the most serious problems, but scabs and coral spots can also present problems. The black patches on the flowers signal fireblight, which leads to die-back, ultimately killing the tree.
Shoots that are infected need to be cut and burned, and scissors should be disinfected.
Congested plants may be infested by scale insects, spider mites, and aphids.
Pick off the aphids by hand, jet them off with water, or use a systemic insecticide if the issue remains.
Caterpillars can also sometimes show up. Remove them manually.
Firethorn bonsai care
Be careful when wiring old woody branches, as they are brittle.
Frequent high winter temperatures (above 68°F (20°C)) may cause flowers to be stunted.
It takes a long time for the trunks to thicken. This can be solved by choosing the “root over rock” bonsai style. This makes the base of the tree look thicker.
Additionally, you can choose semi-cascade bonsai or full cascade bonsai styles. If you choose this style, you won’t need to have a thick trunk. Additionally, the large groups of flowers and berries will have plenty of room to grow.
Spines can cause severe pain due to their sharp points. This can pose some problems when trying to wire the branches. You can cut the points of the thorns to avoid getting pricked.
As a result of their weight, berries hang below the branches. The branches must be well-spaced to provide enough room for both flowers and fruits. They should not intertwine with foliage on adjacent branches.
What to look for when buying Firethorn Bonsai
It is a wise idea to buy your Pyracantha bonsai tree when it is in its fruiting stage. At this time you will be able to verify the colors on the tree. (Because colors on different plants can vary).
You should ensure that the roots are tightly clasping the rock when you are buying root over rock style.
