The Norfolk Island Pine is an evergreen that grows to be over 200 feet tall on a small island that resides east of Australia. Norfolk Island Pine Bonsai, just as any bonsai, are capable of growing rapidly, but can also make for excellent Bonsai with the proper care.
Position
The Norfolk Pine tree is a somewhat sensitive tree and needs ample lighting around the entire structure. To ensure that your plant has this need met, you’ll want to rotate around once a week if it doesn’t get full sunlight. If you were to leave the bonsai in the same spot without rotating it from time to time, the trunk would grow in a bent position, which causes future problems for pruning and repotting.
As for the light requirements of a Norfolk Island Pine Bonsai, they are highly adaptable yet tend to thrive when given two to three hours of direct sunlight per day in a south-facing window. The bent trunk we mentioned before is due to needing light. A Norfolk Pine that doesn’t get ample lighting will reach out towards the nearest light source.
Watering
This species of bonsai tree is a bit particular when it comes to their watering. They do well when the soil is evenly watered without the roots becoming soggy. The best schedule is once every week, or just long enough for the top inch of soil to become dried out. Checking the soil routinely by dipping your finger into that top layer is key in ensuring that your plant is getting enough water.
Watering habits can change based on a few conditions, including the type of pot the plant resides in and the time of year. Shallow pots need more consistent watering. Be prepared to check the top layer of soil every few days. The Norfolk Island Pine Bonsai should also be watered more frequently in the blooming seasons, spring and summer.
Pruning
The act of pruning back a Norfolk Island Pine Bonsai tree isn’t all that simple. Executed improperly, the plant’s growth can be stunted. The branches of this species tend to grow symmetrically, keep this mind during pruning in order to maintain the natural shape. The best time of year to prune a Norfolk Island Pine is in the springtime.
They tend to grow heavy on the top, so pruning aids in keeping the plant shapely. Cutting back any new buds while they still take on a light green hue should be among the first steps. You’ll then want to find what’s known as the “trunk line”, essentially a thickened stem that runs along the main sections of the bonsai. From here, feel free to carefully cut back the branches to keep the overall shape under control.
Keep in mind that pruning doesn’t solve the plant’s nature to take on a droopy appearance. Cutting back branches and new buds keeps the bonsai happy, healthy, and maintained.
Re-Potting
In the previous section, we discussed the importance of pruning back a Norfolk Island Pine. You may think that it’s wise to cut back the roots as well, but this would have the opposite effect. The overall growth would take a drastic hit if the roots were to be disrupted in such a fashion. If they’re that sensitive, then what about re-potting?
This plant species doesn’t need to be re-potted all too frequently due to the speed in which the root system grows. The average time frame for a Norfolk Island Pine is once every two to four years. We understand that this is a wide duration of time. A clear indicator is when the roots start to grow through the bottom of the pot or container. You’ll want to carefully remove the plant and place it into another container that is a few inches larger. The soil should be pre-watered, loose, and easy to drain.
Propagation
The easiest method involved in propagating a Norfolk Island Pine Bonsai is through seedlings. This technique involves collecting the seeds from the parent plant once they have reached maturity, typically in late summer and the early months of autumn. The seeds are located in the bonsai’s cone. This spherical structure will have to be broken once it has fallen off of the tree. From there, the seeds should be planted in an area with plenty of shade. Make sure that the rounded edges of the seeds are visible above the top layer of soil. Keep them evenly saturated and remove upon sprouting. This can take anywhere from 12 days to six months. A Norfolk Island Pine that has been propagated via seedlings will likely grow at a slower rate.
Norfolk Island Pine is a fun variation of bonsai tree that can add to the overall appeal of your collection. There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the overall care and well-being of your plant, but it is well worth the reward!