How to Trim a Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai

Check the condition of your bonsai every day.

The Hawaiian umbrella bonsai tree gets its name from its tiny umbrella-shaped leaves and from the fact that the tree tends to grow into a canopy shape not unlike that of an umbrella. Growing these miniature trees can be quite rewarding for both the experienced bonsai gardener and the newcomer. As with any bonsai tree, you can shape an umbrella bonsai's growth and keep the plant healthy through proper trimming and careful maintenance.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Examine the tree carefully for signs of insects, brown foliage and other problems. Pruning time is the perfect time to take a good look at the Hawaiian umbrella bonsai and make sure it is healthy.

2. Locate the new buds emerging on each branch. The bud is the last leaf on the stem of the plant.

3. Snip the bud off with a pair of sharp scissors. Make sure you get a clean cut. Snip the buds off each stem to get an even trim and to prevent the bonsai from growing too large or too fast. Do not trim back all the new growth at one time. Concentrate on one section at a time and use your trimming to train the tree into the growth pattern you want.

4. Cut the new buds on the right side of the tree while leaving the ones on the left side alone if you need to fill out the umbrella growth pattern on the left side of the tree. If the umbrella pattern is sparser on the right side of the tree, you can help fill it in by trimming the buds on the left while allowing the buds on the right to grow. The Hawaiian umbrella bonsai will naturally grow into an umbrella pattern, but you can control how that umbrella spreads by choosing which buds to trim.

References

• Joe Bonsai: Hawiian Umbrella Bonsai Care