Mediterranean bonsai

These are typical Mediterranean trees, they live better outside because they need both the sun and the cold to produce fruit. Most are grown in our fields in Tarragona, the most representatives are: olives, citrus and apple.

Taxus baccata

Family

Taxaceae

Origin

Europe, North Africa, Asia (Caucasus, Himalaya).

Etymology

Ancient latin name used by Virgil and Pliny, and from the greek “taxus”, what means poison, due to its poisonous properties.

Taxus baccata

Characteristics

Evergreen tree of slow growth and great longevity. Belongs to the order of the conifers.


Location

Exterior, exposed to the sun over the whole year.


Watering

Abundant in summer and in moderation in winter.


Fertilization

In spring and autumn.

Re-potting

Every 3 to 5 years, at the beginning of spring.

Substrate

100% Akadama, or a mixture of Akadama with a 20% of volcanic earth.


Pruning and pinching

Pruning

During winter, always leave leaves and buds otherwise the branch will dry.

Pinching

In spring. Finger pinch new shoots during growing season to encourage branching: wait until flowering is over if you want the tree to fruit.

Wiring

From September to March.


Curiosities

The Taxus is a very long-lived tree of which you can find some that are 1000 years old or more. Its wood is very hard and compact but at same time elastic and flexible. In ancient times it was used for building arcs.


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