Immediate Care Instructions
Please water immediately upon arrival. If you receive this bonsai during winter, dark and cold can trigger dormancy (the plant will lose its leaves in the winter). It has been forced to think that it's June, so keep it in a bright, warm location. Carefully review this instruction sheet for specific information on how to ensure you enjoy a healthy wine grape bonsai tree. We highly recommend referencing a bonsai book to supplement this overview.
About Your Wine Grape Bonsai
Congratulations!! As a fellow Wine Aficionado/ Plant Lover, you can take pride in owning a piece of California’s Wine Country Heritage. This Miniature Wine Grape originates from the sun-kissed fields and cool evening valleys of California’s Wine Country. The care information listed below will help guide you in growing your plant successfully for many years to come. Most cultural practices that are used for other deciduous bonsai are applicable for Wine Grapes as well. We highly recommend referencing any of the published works on bonsai techniques to supplement this overview.
Light Exposure
A protected patio or other shaded area is well suited for bonsai culture. Morning sun only to avoid drying out too rapidly during hot periods. In areas with frost/ freezing, a bright sunny room will suffice. When grown indoors the bonsai should be kept a minimum of 24” from windows as they will act as a magnifying glass and burn the leaves.
Water and Fertilizer
The small area of the pot requires regular watering to avoid drying out. Avoid allowing the plant to sit in freestanding water. Good drainage is as important as regular waterings. Allow enough water per plant to observe water exiting the drain hole at the bottom of the container.
Pruning
Growing Season- More for aesthetic purposes, remove long shoots that haven’t fruited leaving two nodes. This creates good branchlet structure and canopy development.
Dormant Season- Remove all of last year’s growth leaving two buds for fruit development for the following season.
Dormant Period
Your plant will perform better next year if allowed to go dormant during the winter. If you live in a frost free area you may leave it out on a protected patio or other shaded area. In areas with snow or freezing temperatures the plant can be placed in a basement or in the home to avoid freezing. Remember to keep the roots moist but not in free-standing water. Activity in the roots continues even though the plant has lost its leaves.
Repotting
Every 2-3 years, mid- late winter, remove 1/3 of the existing root ball; Repot using a well drained, balanced potting soil.
Fertilizer
Use a well balanced, soluble plant food ½ strength every 4 weeks during the growing season. This is important to the health of your tree as vital nutrients are flushed from the soil with each watering and need to be replenished. Watch for mildew and aphids, similar to roses.
NOTE: If you receive this item during the winter, dark and cold can trigger dormancy. Keep it in a bright, warm location. It has been forced to think that it’s June. The plant will go to sleep for about 3 months when it believes that it needs to hibernate! Don’t worry, this is natural! It will wake up when the Tulips and Daffodils have finished their show, just like in the vineyard!