mrdogcat
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:01 am

Chinese pepper tree and fertilising

Hi I recently bought a 30 year old Chinese pepper tree. This is my second bonsai but my first pepper tree.

I've read on one of the forums stickys not to fertilise in the winter as trees are dormant but as my tree is an indoor tree and is currently growing (new stems/leaves) shouldn't I need to fertilise?

If this is correct can you let my know how frequently I should be doing so?

Thanks for your help

kdodds
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1436
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:07 pm
Location: Airmont, NY Zone 6/7

Pepper trees are a lot more common in Europe than they are here. I don't have one, but their care is pretty straight forward as with other indoor bonsai. Temperature is not the only trigger for dormancy, light is as well, and subtropical and tropical trees will grow less during the shortened days of winter. Fertilizing once per month with a half strength general houseplant fertilizer should be okay. It's always better, though, to start with less, rather than more.



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