The Japanese pepper tree is a small, highly aromatic, deciduous shrub native to China and Japan.

Morphologically it is an evergreen tree, weeping and fast growing. In nature it reaches 8 meters in height and width. 

It has leaves similar to those of ferns, composed of numerous narrow elanceolate leaves, glossy, deep green in color. 

From the end of winter to summer they develop in open clusters, tiny yellow flowers, followed by pea-sized fruits, red-fuchsia in color that gradually take on the classic dark shade of pepper.

The Japanese pepper tree is ideal as a bonsai.

In the bonsai formation it is very appreciated thanks to the harmony of its proportions, moreover also the very small intense green leaves and the peculiar bark, which already at a young age gives it a mature look, contribute to make it a species particularly suitable in bonsai art. 

The styles to which it is most suitable are rockery and informal upright.

Exposure.

For the bonsai education of this species, you must first of all keep in mind that it is an indoor plant, and therefore needs to be sheltered in the winter months in a very bright area, with temperatures not below 10 ° C. 

From May to September it is good to put it outside in a half-shade position, well ventilated. Watering.

Watering is necessary every time the soil is slightly dry to the touch. In this case water abundantly with 1 liter of water. You can use tap water, but if it is very calcareous, it is good to correct it with Bonsan descaler. 

Soil.

The ideal compound is 70% akadama and 30% sand.

 Replant.

The transplant offers the opportunity to cut the dead or overgrown roots, to replace the soil and also to change the pot. 

The most mature specimens should be repotted every three-four years, while the younger ones should be repotted more frequently: every one, maximum two years. 

The best period is late spring, when the temperature is about 15° - 20° C (59° - 77° F). 

To carry out this operation in the best way, it is necessary to untangle the roots and eliminate the old soil. After having placed a draining layer on the bottom, the plant will be placed inside the pot, on the compound recommended for this species. 

Together with the transplant it is also necessary to prune the leaf apparatus, in order to counterbalance the reduction of the roots. 

This will favor the re-establishment of the normal conditions of water distribution.

Pruning.

Concerning pruning it is necessary to make a distinction: if it is maintenance pruning, there are no limitations, because the plant responds well in any period of the year; if it is necessary to prune large branches, the most appropriate period is in autumn, protecting wounds with healing mastic.

Picking.

For the pinching of the Pepper tree, let the shoots grow up to 8/10 leaves, then cut them at 2/4, according to the area of the tree where they are located. 

In order to maintain the silhouette, you clamp continuously with your fingers, tearing off the last two incipient leaflets of each bud when it already has two leaves. 

This makes the branches particularly thick, so they must be lightened with scissors twice a year: in May and at the end of August.

Winding.

Given the slow growth of this plant, even the small branches that appear thin, are in many cases old and therefore fragile, so it will be necessary, if necessary, to use the wire with the necessary precautions. 

Even if the most opportune moment is spring, since the wood is less fragile in this phase, there is no restriction for the application of the coiling also during the rest of the year. 

The wire will need to be removed before it begins to etch the bark, obviously, since this is a slow-growing species, it will need to spend a growing season.

Fertilization.

At vegetative renewal (March-April) fertilize every 8-10 days combining Bonsan Stimulating Action Fertilizer with Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer. 

From April to September, fertilize every 8-10 days with Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer or every 15-20 days with Bonsan Organic Solid Fertilizer Aburukasu, avoiding the months of July and August. From September to February, use Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer every 15-20 days. 

To stimulate rooting, use Bonsan Fluid Organic Mineral Fertilizer with B vitamins instead of Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer.

Care.

It is not a species particularly prone to diseases, but occasionally you can see attacks of aphids, cochineal, aleuroids and red spider mite. 

In presence of these pathologies it is good to intervene with the common antiparasitic products, using the doses suggested on the box and carrying out at least three treatments at a distance of ten days from each other.

Other Similar Posts That Could Interest You By Fausto Baccino

Do you ever wonder what happens when your readers reach the end of your posts? What do they click on? Where do they go next? What if you’ve piqued a reader’s interest and left them wanting more, but don’t give them the option to do so? Now, we’ll search your site for similar posts you’ve written and display a “Related” section at the end of every post, like this: