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Spring cutback on stewartia

June 4, 2021 by Jonas Dupuich

For the past few weeks, I’ve been writing about maintenance work for mature deciduous bonsai as that’s what I’ve been focusing on in the garden. Before moving on to a new topic (it’s almost decandling season!) here’s a look at a stewartia due for spring cutback.

Stewartia monadelpha

Stewartia monadelpha

The tree has developed a lot in the past year which made the shoot reduction and leaf pruning take longer than expected (see “Spring deciduous work” for details about the work). Fortunately I had help from Christian and Alfred this year. Between the three of us, we were able to reduce the density of the foliage to ensure that the interior branches receive enough light to stay healthy.

Alfred pruning stewartia

Alfred leaf-pruning the stewartia

After pruning

Cutback and leaf pruning complete – 34″

I’ll let the tree grow freely through summer and will plan to prune again in fall when the leaves turn color. In the meantime, I’ll continue watering and fertilizing to support this year’s new growth.

✕

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Filed Under: Bonsai Development Tagged With: Stewartia

Previous Post: « Spring cutback on ume
Next Post: Post-bloom care for satsuki azaleas »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Daniel Kashinsky says

    June 4, 2021 at 7:48 am

    thanks so much. KK

  2. Matt says

    June 4, 2021 at 9:35 am

    Hello! I really like this tree but I wonder if you shouldn’t ground- or air-layer the trunk above the big wound. It’s distracting from the smooth cinnamon bark and idealized form of the canopy, and it’s not telling a consistent story. The bottom says “hardship” and it’s not reflected in the top which says “health and grandeur”

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      June 4, 2021 at 4:00 pm

      Thanks, Matt! I totally agree about the dieback on the trunk. My goal is to close the wound over time – here’s a post about the different options: https://bonsaitonight.com/2020/12/01/options-for-addressing-dieback-low-on-the-trunk/

  3. Richard Dorfman says

    June 4, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Another stunning tree, Jonas. Thanks for sharing

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      June 4, 2021 at 3:57 pm

      Thanks, Richard!

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