Malus sp. – The flowering apple tree, an outdoor bonsai that amazes in every season
An 18-year-old outdoor bonsai capable of offering a different spectacle in every season. Malus sp., the classic apple tree or crabapple, enchants in spring with its abundant, fragrant blossoms and in summer and autumn with the small decorative fruits that add color to its crown. It needs both sun and cold to produce its fruit – a living, seasonal, authentic bonsai.
Important notes: The shape and dimensions of the bonsai are approximate, including the pot. The color and shape of the pot may differ from the photographs. As these are living plants, their appearance changes with the seasons; the images are therefore purely illustrative and do not constitute a contractual obligation.
Main features
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Habitat: Outdoor
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Leaf type: Deciduous
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Flowers: Yes – abundant flowering in spring
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Produces fruit: Yes – decorative apples
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Family: Rosaceae
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Approximate dimensions (width × depth × height): 40 × 36 × 49 cm
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Pot dimensions: Under 16 cm
Interesting facts
The apple tree adapts to all climates but prefers a sunny position throughout the year. In summer, it should be protected from the most intense midday sun. It withstands frost, but it is preferable to shelter it when temperatures fall below -2°C. To encourage fruit production, manual pollination can be carried out: simply transfer pollen from one flower to the stigma of another using a small brush or your fingers.
Position
Outdoors, in full sunlight for most of the year. Protect it from excessive summer midday heat and temperatures below -2°C in winter.
Watering
Abundant in summer, moderate in winter. Avoid wetting the flowers during flowering and never allow water to stagnate in the substrate.
Fertilization
From spring to autumn, use the organo-mineral fertilizer Hiryo Gold or the fast-acting fertilizer Nutribonsai. Do not fertilize during flowering.
Repotting
Every 2 years, at the beginning of spring. After repotting, it is recommended to water with Mistral Bonsai’s Vitabonsai revitalizer to encourage the plant’s recovery.
Substrate
Terrabonsai – a special bonsai substrate that meets water and nutritional requirements, stimulating root development and overall vigor. Alternatively: 80% Akadama + 20% Kiryuzuna or Pumice, which encourages growth but requires more frequent watering.
Pruning
In spring, at the beginning of flowering.
Pinching
When the branch has developed 6–8 leaves, cut it back, leaving only 2.
Wiring
In spring, carried out carefully to avoid damaging the new growing shoots.
