Care & Maintenance of a Dawn Redwood Bonsai Tree

Environment

• The dawn redwood bonsai thrives in bright light, needs high humidity through misting and requires regular watering. The addition of organic material to the container will help keep the soil moist; redwoods do not like dry conditions. The dawn redwood does not suffer from any pests or diseases, and new redwoods can be created using hardwood cuttings in winter, semi-ripe cuttings mid-summer or by sowing seeds in the fall. This bonsai requires regular fertilizing every two weeks during the spring and summer growth period.

Shaping

• Pruning clippers, shears and wire are the tools needed to train the bonsai into the desired shape. The dawn redwood is best suited to a formal upright style of bonsai, where the trunk remains vertical and each branch is slightly longer than the one above it, similar to how this tree grows in its native setting. Wiring the bonsai branches is the process of bending and forcing the tree branches into the right style for the tree, moving leaves and adding interesting characteristics. Once wired, over time, the branches remember the new shape and remain in place when the wire is removed.

Trimming

• The dawn redwood is a fast-growing tree and regular pruning is needed to help maintain its shape. Cut the largest branches as needed when they sprout and grow outside the tree's determined shape. Once trimmed, the branches will continue to grow quite quickly over the summer months, requiring additional light pruning. The roots also need regular pruning. Each spring, remove the tree from its container and cut the roots back so the root ball is the size of a fist. The roots are aggressive growers and require trimming before the new growth season begins.

Winter Dormancy

• Lacy dark green leaves turn to yellow and then bronze as fall approaches, before falling from the tree. This bonsai enjoys a lengthy dormant period over the winter, giving it time to rest and then grow strong each spring. During the dormant period, the dawn redwood bonsai requires no fertilizing. Watering frequency decreases during dormancy, and the soil should remain damp, but never soggy or dry.