How to Make a Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin) Bonsai: Beautiful and Easy to Grow

Actually, we do not see silk tree flowers very often in daily life, because they are too tall and not suitable for planting along roadsides. But if we look carefully, we still have a chance to see them in parks or courtyards. So if we want to make them into bonsai, how should we do it?

Before making it, we first need to do some preliminary preparation: choosing the tree species and the pot. Actually, when it comes to choosing the branches, there is no doubt that we should choose fresh, healthy ones with lush branches and leaves. The silk tree is relatively tall, so to highlight its height, we can choose a slightly shallower pot to set it off. Once the selection is done, we can pot it and start making the bonsai. We can first prune its roots and cut off some excess roots. When pruning, we should also pay attention to aesthetics and not prune excessively.

After doing these things, we enter the post-planting management stage. To keep the silk tree alive, we need to water it regularly. To maintain air humidity, we can spray some water around its branches and leaves. In spring, we need to control watering; this is the most critical period for its growth, because waterlogging will cause root rot, which is bad for its growth and may even cause death. In mid-April, do not water every day; wait until the branches and leaves wilt before watering. Then, when flower buds appear, water again; at this time, fertilizer and water can be appropriately increased, which is more beneficial to its growth.

Although the silk tree relatively likes sunlight, in summer we should also be careful not to let it be exposed to the scorching summer sun. It needs to be placed in a shady place for shading, and we should do a good job of sun protection to avoid direct sunlight.

The silk tree has many values. The most basic one is that when placed in a bonsai, it can display ornamental value. As a Chinese herbal medicine, it also has many medicinal values. For example, people with restlessness and insomnia can take it to help with sleep; people with fractures or blood stasis can use it to treat bruises, activate blood circulation and dissolve stasis. People with weak constitutions can use it to regulate their condition, nourish yin and supplement yang. People with allergic constitutions can use it to resist allergies. In ancient times, when contraceptive products were not as developed as they are now, silk tree flowers could be used to reduce the number of pregnancies. Of course, its value is not limited to this. Besides these, it also has some other nutritional values, such as regulating vitality and lowering blood pressure, which I will not describe one by one here. Those who are interested can learn about them on their own.

The above introduction is about the bonsai making and effects of the silk tree. Friends who are eager to try it out, go ahead and give it a try yourself. Based on what we have suggested, you can make a pot yourself and accumulate experience. Only by making it with your own hands can you truly experience these things.