How to make tamarind as a bonsai.
Thank you friends for your comments and like for my Tamarind Bonsai plant.
Many Bonsai friends were asking for whats age of the plant and how to grow tamarind from a seed. which type of soil and watering.
My Tamarind Bonsai plant is growing for more fifteen years, Tamarind is a tropical plant. Growing tamarind Bonsai from a seed is easy, just soak tamarind seed in warm water over night and next day put seed in half soil and half coco peat mix. the seeds start germinating within two weeks, some times tamarind seeds fallen on the ground also develop in to plants in favorable conditions. At my place I can see many Tamarind plants growing from seeds. Once it starts germinating let it grow for two months and shift the plant in to a big pot with soil mix of garden soil, manure and three to four mm brick pieces ( without brick powder, remove brick powder by sieving) other wise it blocks drainage of the soil. instead of Brick pieces we can use pumice stones also. they are very light and porous.1:1:1. ratio. one soil, one manure and one pumice stones. Usually Tamarind is not choosy plant for soil, it can grow any type of soil, But if you want better and fast growth it is better to use well drained and manure soil.
Let the plant grow in big pot at least for seven years, because when the plant is growing from seed it takes long time to start flowering , long time means more than 8 to 10 years.During this period wiring, pruning can be done to give a shape to Tamarind plant on regular basis. Repoting I did once in a year up to 7 years, then the plant shifted to Bonsai pot. For the last two years it started flowering, Through this long journey plant it has seen many seasons. In autumns it looks very pretty with yellow leaves falling down.
This photo was taken in 2016 fall season
Then in spring plant gains energy and will with fresh green leaves. Once in two years re potting is done fresh soil and removing fine roots by making place for fresh energetic fiber roots. This year defoliation is done on May 15 , it took two full days to remove all leaves.
Tamarind Plant Before Defoliation
Ramification can be done after the plant grows extensively with whole long branches and green leaves. Now Selection of branches and giving a style to the plants is a key factor in designing a Bonsai plant. With Defoliating all the leaves will be removed so we can see through the plant clearly all the branches. So selection of branches for Pruning and wiring will comfortable and easy.
When the plant is young means 7 to 8 years .it needs lots of moisture in the soil for its proper growth. the soil should be moist but not wet. Once the plant matures let the soil dry in between watering In summer once in a day, if the plant is open to full sun light and the temperatures are more than 38 digress centigrade two times of watering is necessary and In winters once in day.
Regular fertilizing once in a month is necessary for healthy growth of the plant With NPK fertalizer. N is Nitrogen, P is for phosphorous and K is potassium. For flowering Plants P and K are more important for the plant for bearing fruits and flowers. During growing season it is better to provide liquid spray of micro nutrients.
Tamarind Plant From Branches / Vegetative growth.
Tamarind plants can be grown from seeds and vegetative cuttings also. For Vegetative growth take less than pencil thickness branch and apply root all hormone or cinnamon powder with honey apply near the cut and keep that branch in a pot with garden soil. cover the entire pot with plastic bag . so moisture will be there within one and half month these branches will have new fine roots. In second picture you can see moisture inside plastic bag.
The plants grown from vegetative growth will start fruiting with in 6 years.
Now I am trying to grow Tamarind Branches in water . Take less than pencil thick branch and as soon as you cut it keep it is normal water. then take a glass 3/4 of water add root all hormone and place plant cuttings in the glass, every three days change water again add root all hormone. after one half month we can see roots and you can keep it in soil with equal portions of soil with coco peat.
Tamarind is a leguminous tree, because it gives legumes . If you can take proper care plant can survive more than 200 years. The Gnarled and twisted tamarind trees spread wide and give a beautiful as a bonsai tree.
