How To Plant And Care For A Bodhi Tree?

bodhi tree

bodhi tree

Updated on 10/1/2023
Emma DowneyBy Emma Downey
Gardening Expert
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How To Plant And Care For A Bodhi Tree? Bonsai plants that are fashioned after Bodhi trees have gained a lot of popularity. Bodhi trees create bonsai that have a stunning appearance but are also simple to maintain and cultivate. They mature quickly and have some level of resistance to being kept alive in severe environments. When compared to the majority of bonsai plants, the upkeep is minimal, and they do not require a big deal of attention or care.

Other Names For This PlantSacred fig, Bodhi tree, Peepal tree, and Ashwattha tree.
Type Outdoor plant.
MaintenanceMight be moderate to high in the case of bonsai.
FloweringSpringtime (in natural habitat)
Lightcan tolerate sunlight that is bright, direct and indirect
WateringWhen the soil is dry, apply water.
TemperatureA warm and humid temperature conditions.
Soil Soil with good drainage.
Fertilizer Any liquid fertilizer
Habitat India
Toxicity No
Common DiseasesResistance to Diseases
Scientific NameFicus Religiosa

An Outline Of The Bodhi Tree

tree

tree

Bodhi trees are members of the family Moraceae and can be found in their natural habitat in southwest China and India. When grown in their natural environment, these trees have the potential to reach heights of up to 38 meters and have a foliage type that is classified as semi-evergreen. The leaves have a cordate form that tapers to a drip point and are green in color. They produce figs that, once ripe, turn a deep purple color. The plants can live for anywhere between 1500 and 3000 years or even longer. They develop rapidly, but instead of just getting taller, the plants extend their canopies by spreading across the ground.

Special feature:

The tree is revered as holy in the religions of Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Sitting under a bodhi tree is where Gautama Buddha is said to have acquired enlightenment. As the tree gets older, its bark flakes off in sheets. After the tree's leaves have been stripped off, the figs are often ready to be picked.

The Bodhi Tree: Its Functions And Benefits

  • Cultivated in the manner of a bonsai. Bonsai grown from Bodhi trees are known for their rapid growth and long lives.
  • Traditional medical practitioners are utilized to treat inflammation, various ailments, sexual difficulties, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, asthma, and other conditions.
  • They are cultivated for the purpose of their fruit.
  • Beads of spiritual significance can be crafted from their seeds.

Maintenance For Bodhi Trees In General

leaves

leaves

Special Care:

Pruning, Trimming, And Training:

The Bodhi Tree Bonsai is grown in a container that is not very deep. The key to successfully cultivating a healthy bonsai plant is to provide it with the appropriate care and training, along with regular repotting and pruning.

When cultivating a Bodhi tree, one must take special care to prune the plants on a consistent basis and at the appropriate times. It is essential to do regular pruning and training on the plants in order to cultivate a bonsai plant that is both healthy and attractive.

It is possible to perform the pruning on a regular basis in order to eliminate the branches that have become overgrown and to shape the plants. It is possible to mold the plants to one's preferences by cutting away any branches that are not desired. Pinching off the very tips of the branches can be done on a regular basis. When performing pruning, it is best to leave a few leaves on each of the branches. It is possible that the plant's health will suffer if all of the leaves are removed from the clipped branches. It is possible to defoliate the entire focus in order to encourage the growth of fresh foliage. Only bonsai that are in good health should have this done to them.

 

Wires made of either aluminum or copper can be used to wire the branches. The shape of the branches can be altered by bending the wired branches. It is important that the wires not be coiled excessively tightly. During their growth, the branches may develop scars or cuts as a result of this. When the branches are one-half of an inch thick, wire them.

After the trunk has grown to a thickness of one inch, the Bodhi Tree Bonsai can be repotted. They are then potted into fresh potting material after being pulled and having their roots clipped to a height that is one-fourth of their original height. They are given an NPK fertilizer every two weeks, as well as consistent watering, and they are maintained in the shade or partial sunlight for a period of two weeks. It is best to repot your plants in the spring or the middle of summer. The process of repotting consists mostly of replacing the soil with new dirt and cutting the roots of the plants.

Setting Up The Bonsai Of The Bodhi Tree In The Appropriate Location:

tree

tree

The primary attention ought to be directed toward locations that receive either unfiltered or direct sunlight. They are able to be moved outside during the spring and summer months. Examining the leaves of the plants can help you determine how to adjust the position. The leaves becoming yellow is a sign that the plant is under a lot of stress. The bonsai can be moved to an area with more or less sunlight as necessary.

They can be brought indoors during the winter months, where they will be protected from the cold and exposed to an adequate amount of light.

They would rather not be relocated very frequently. Therefore, you should choose a suitable location, and the bonsai should be allowed to remain undisturbed. They have a propensity to lose their leaves whenever there is a shift in the weather.

Soil:

It is possible to use any kind of potting soil as long as it drains correctly. Because they produce such a large root system, the soil should be thoroughly aerated; otherwise, the roots would not be able to spread as far, and heavy soil might inhibit root growth.

Watering:

 

Although it thrives in damp environments, the focus should never be allowed to become waterlogged. When the earth is completely dry, give the plant some water. When the plant has to be watered, check to see if the soil is dry all the way below the end of the container by inserting your finger. They must be thoroughly soaked until the water can be removed through the drainage hole. They like it when it's moist. The container can be set atop a pebble tray that contains water. The water that comes from this will evaporate, which will help keep the moisture level up.

Temperature And The Amount Of Light:

The optimal lighting for Bodhi trees is in bright indirect sunlight, which can also adjust to the somewhat indirect light and shadow. They do not exhibit significant physical changes, regardless of whether they are in the sunlight or the shade. Because they are tropical plants, they cannot survive in cold circumstances. Plants thrive best in environments that are warm and humid. When conditions are favorable, such as when temperatures are high, humidity is high, or during the rainy season in general, the development of aerial roots occurs. It is necessary to give the plant the best possible environment in order for it to develop aerial roots.

Fertilization:

During the growing season, which consists of spring and summer, the ficus plants can get fertilizer once every week. However, during the winter months, fertilizer can only be applied once every month. The plants require a fertilizer that is well-balanced. Because nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are all necessary for the development of the plant, a mixture of these three elements in the proportions of 3:2:1 can be provided to the plant. A fertilizer that is full of nitrogen is also effective.

leaves

leaves

The Bodhi Tree Is Plagued By A Variety Of Pests And Other Difficulties.

Bodhi trees are immune to the majority of different kinds of diseases and parasites.

Spreading Of The Bodhi Tree Species

Techniques Of Spreading:

Stem cutting, planting seeds, and marcotting are the three methods that are used to spread the can.

Cutting the stem: The stem can be severed from the parent plant by cutting it. Only the first two or three leaves are retained after the removal of the lower leaves. Following a soak in a rooting hormone, the cutting is then placed in some damp soil. It is given consistent amounts of water and is kept in a location that receives adequate sunshine.

 

Seeds: Propagating a plant through its seeds is simple, but finding enough seeds to plant might be difficult. Fruits are produced by bonsai plants only very infrequently. It is possible to sow the seeds in the soil, after which they should be kept in an area with indirect sunlight and given consistent watering until the seedlings emerge. When the first seedlings appear, you can move them to a significantly brighter location.

Marcotting: a healthy stem is chosen, and then the top one centimeter of skin is removed from the stem. Moist mud is applied around the wound, and then the whole thing is sealed off with a plastic cover. This contributes to the preservation of moisture, and this receives daily watering. Once a root has developed from the cut made in the stem, it can be severed and replanted independently.