Mulberry
(Morus)
Country of Origin : North America, Asia
Bonsai Styles : Informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade, cascade, root over-rock, twin-trunk, clump
Zone : 4 – 8
Mulberry trees are hardy, deciduous, slow growing, small or medium trees that grow in twisted, picturesque shapes.
These trees have become a familiar ornamental feature of parks and gardens. It is also gradually gaining popularity in bonsai circles.
Can you bonsai a mulberry tree?
Yes. Mulberry trees can be used to grow a delightful flowering bonsai tree. Moreover, its heavy trunk, rugged bark and serrated leaves offer bonsai growers a great combination of texture and shape. The flowers of the tree are quite small, however these flowers are soon followed by small edible fruits which ripen from white to reddish-pink. This tree is particularly suitable for the informal upright, slanting and semi-cascading bonsai style.
One more characteristic of this tree that makes it highly suitable for bonsai is that when planted in pots, the leaves and fruit of the Mulberry tree will grow smaller.
Some of the mulberry tree varieties that can be used to make a bonsai are:
- Morus alba (white mulberry) – This is a spreading tree with glossy, bright green leaves and white fruits, which ripen to pink and red.
- Morus alba ‘nana’ – This is the slow- growing dwarf form, with very compact top growth which needs constant thinning.
- Morus nigra (black mulberry) – This is more rounded in growth habit, with mid green leaves and acidic, green fruits that ripen to black. Its thick, gnarled, old-looking trunk makes it ideal for growing bonsai.
- Morus rubra (red mulberry) – This tree has lobed leaves, and reddish-brown bark. Its fruits are reddish or black.
Read more about other bonsai trees species in : Types of bonsai tree
Best location to keep Mulberry bonsai tree
Mulberry bonsai should be placed in full sun throughout the growing season as they are outdoor bonsai trees. They need a lot of light.
Even though these species are hardy in temperate areas, they will still need some protection in harsh winters as their fleshy roots can rot if not protected.
Place them in a hoop tunnel, cold greenhouse or any other such shelter to protect them from the cold. During flowering, protect the tree from frost and rain.
However, Mulberry trees can withstand winds.
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 Mulberry bonsai tree
You can propagate mulberry plants by sowing seeds in spring, from cuttings in spring, air layering in spring and grafting in winter.
In the summer, collect the seeds. Take the fruit and crush it. Separate the seeds from the squashed fruit by washing the pulp. Seeds should be dried and stored between layers of sand or earth. Sow the seeds in the spring.
The germination process takes three weeks. In autumn and winter, keep the seedlings protected after they have germinated.
Collect cuttings from the current year’s shoots in spring. Put it in an equal mixture of peat and sand to root. Make sure the cutting is protected from possible frosts and cold winds.
When other methods of propagating mulberries cannot be used, use the bench grafting method in winter. This is a more sophisticated method of propagation.
Watering Mulberry bonsai tree
Mulberries require a lot of water. Throughout the growing season, water the bonsai daily. Occasionally, on hot summer days, you will be required to water the bonsai twice a day.
However, make sure there is no standing water. Let the soil dry a little between watering sessions.
While watering the tree, you can also spray the foliage. When the tree is in full bloom, however, do not spray to avoid wetting the flowers.
It is advisable to water less frequently in the winter, but keep the soil moist at all times.
Read watering bonsai tree for more details and also about bonsai water immersion technique.
Wiring Mulberry bonsai tree
Young mulberry bonsai trees do not need wiring. On the other hand, branches of old and mature mulberry bonsai trees can be done in midsummer after they have hardened and flowering has finished.
You can wrap the branches in raffia to protect the bark from getting damaged.
Since these trees are slow-growing, wires can be left on the branches for almost the entire growing season.
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 Mulberry bonsai tree
When to prune Mulberry bonsai tree?
How to prune Mulberry bonsai tree?
Early spring, and again after flowering in mid- to late summer, when the shoots have grown too long, prune for shape.
Trees should be pruned and pinched back to two or three new leaves on a regular basis to keep the tree in shape as well as encourage new growth.
Remove large leaves as they appear. Prune heavy branches in late winter or early spring before bud open. Removing some of the old shoots that bore fruit this year is also recommended.
Withered fruit should be removed from the tree if it does not fall on its own.
Hollowing out the thick trunk to create driftwood effects should be done during spring and summer when the tree is vigorously growing and heals quickly.
The tree is susceptible to fungal attack, so seal any wounds.
Read how to prune a bonsai to know about the right technique of pruning and more about defoliating a bonsai tree.
Repotting Mulberry bonsai tree
How to repot mulberry tree?
Repot young Mulberry bonsai trees every year and older trees (more than 5 years) every second year. Repot the tree in early spring.
Repot the plant in a larger container after pruning a third off the roots.
Select bonsai pots that are fairly flat and preferably glazed, in white, green, blue, beige, willow etc.
Light, sandy alkaline soil is best for mulberries, while damp, heavy soil is not.
Use a standard free-draining, moisture-retentive bonsai soil.
You can also use sharp sand, loam, and peat moss (or garden compost) in the ratio of 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 Mulberry bonsai tree
From spring to summer, fertilizer should be applied every two weeks. Late summer to autumn is the time to switch to a high potash feed. Liquid fertilizer is recommended.
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 Mulberry bonsai tree
Mulberry plants can be defoliated by caterpillars. As soon as you notice these pests, pick them off by hand.
If scale insects and aphids become a problem, they can also be removed manually, water jetted, or treated with systemic insecticides.
Coral spot, Honey fungus, and canker may require fungicide sprays.
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.
