Larch: The Larch (Larix) is an ideal conifer species for Bonsai, with its soft needles and great strength in back budding. Unlike most conifers, the Larch is deciduous and will lose its foliage in late fall. When maturing, Larch have a flakey rough bark, and the needles turn a beautiful golden yellow in the fall. Larch's are very frost-hardy, making them an excellent choice as outdoor Bonsai for Canada.
BONSAI CARE
Larch grows well in full sun and can benefit from afternoon shade in the middle of summer when the sun is brightest. Although very frost-hardy, they should be winterized once potted into a Bonsai pot.
Watering:
YOUNG: 12"-24" tall, comes in a 6" grower's pot. (Young Larches have already been wired for trunk movement).
MATURE: 12"-16" tall, comes in a 10" handmade Bonsai pot.
Soil (Substrate)
Bonsai soils are usually a mixture of organic potting compost (Pine Bark or Forest Floor), Akadama, pumice, lava rock in varying amounts.
It is important for the soil have good water retention while also draining well, along with very good aeration. The quality of the soil directly affects the health, size and growth of your tree. One of the worst things you can do to your tree is plant it in regular garden soil. Garden soil hardens when it drys and can often lead to a disadvantage when growing a Bonsai.
Soil mixtures can be purchased here, but given their weight and cost of shipping, you can also easily make your own.
Depending on the type of Bonsai you're growing, here are the general formulas for successful mixtures.
Deciduous Tree (Leafy and looses leafs in the fall)
10% Potting Compost
Coniferous Tree (Evergreen like Juniper, Cedar)
If you are not able to check on your Bonsai's moisture levels daily, add more Akadama to the mix.
Given how these soils erode over time, repotting every 2-3 years is required.
Here are some suitable replacements if you cannot find the recommended types of soil.
One of the best and easiest ways to fertilize your Bonsai, is to add a liquid fertilizer mix when water your Bonsai's once a month during the spring/summer. If your Bonsai looses leaves in the winter there is no need to fertilize it then. If you have a coniferous tree, fertilizing the tree once in the beginning of winter and once in the middle of winter should be sufficient.
