Spike winter hazel
(Corylopsis Spicata)
Country of Origin : Japan
Bonsai Styles : Informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade, cascade, root-over-rock, twin-trunk, clump, multi-trunk, group
Zone : 5 – 8
Spike winter hazel is a hardy deciduous shrub. This shrub can be used to grow an exquisite medium to extra-large flowering bonsai tree. It has a busy, upright growing habit.
During the early spring season, this tree will be bursting with fragrant flowers that are bright lemon-yellow in color.
The leaves of the tree are oval, dark green on top and slightly grayish-green underneath.
Its an easy to grow and easy to train bonsai tree species. Although it can be trained in most of the bonsai styles, it is mostly trained in clump, semi-cascade and informal upright bonsai styles.
Read more about other bonsai trees species in : Types of bonsai tree
Best location to keep Spike winter hazel bonsai tree
Corylopsis spicata bonsai tree can be placed in full sun during the growing season. However, keep it in partial shade especially on very hot summer days.
This tree does not require special protection in the winter. But, extended exposure to late spring frost can harm the flowers of the tree.
Keep the tree protected from high 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 Spike winter hazel bonsai tree
Spike winter hazel tree can be propagated by using cutting, layering or air layering.
For using cutting, take a stem cutting in summer after flowering has finished. Apply some rooting hormone and plant it in a pot. In about 2 months, the cutting will have sufficient rooting.
It is worth nothing that tree has little weak roots. Hence, I would advice you to keep the cutting in the pot for 6-12 months before you repot it in a bonsai pot.
Watering Spike winter hazel bonsai tree
The tree can tolerate occasional drought. However, it might be a little sensitive when grown in a pot.
Water the bonsai regularly during the growing season. Make sure that the bonsai soil is never dry.
During the winter months, keep the soil moist.
Read watering bonsai tree for more details and also about bonsai water immersion technique.
Wiring Spike winter hazel bonsai tree
The tree has upward-growing branches. For establishing new branches, wire the branches in midsummer as soon as the shoots have hardened (become a little woody).
You can leave the wires on the branches for almost two growing seasons.
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 Spike winter hazel bonsai tree
When to prune Spike winter hazel bonsai tree?
How to prune Spike winter hazel bonsai tree?
After the flowering has finished, remove dead flower heads from the tree. Additionally, you can prune the shoots at this time in order to encourage new growth.
Be careful while pruning as the next year’s flowers are produced on the new shoots of the current season. Hence, do not remove all the new shoots. Keep this in mind at the time of summer pruning as well.
Even though pinching unwanted growing tips of new shoots is possible most of the time, avoid doing so in late summer.
Read how to prune a bonsai to know about the right technique of pruning and more about defoliating a bonsai tree.
Repotting Spike winter hazel bonsai tree
When to repot Spike winter hazel bonsai tree?
Traditionally, the tree is repotted after flowering. However there are some Japanese growers that advise repotting the tree in early spring if you are living in a temperate climate in the West.
You can repot the tree every second year.
Use a free-draining, moisture-retaining bonsai soil mix.
Don’t use alkaline soil. The leaves of the plant will turn yellow and the plant will eventually die as a result.
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 Spike winter hazel bonsai tree
Throughout the summer, apply a general fertilizer. Apply every 2 weeks. You can also apply a low-nitrogen feed in late summer.
Immediately after flowering, apply a general fertilizer.
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 Spike winter hazel bonsai tree
Generally, spiked winter hazel bonsai trees are not infested with pests or diseases. However, the hot afternoon sun can cause leaves to burn if they are left unprotected.
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.
