Species Guide Larix Larch Bonsai

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LARIX species /LARCHES

Larix is a genus of around 10 species of upright, deciduous, monoecious, coniferous trees from coniferous forests of the Northern hemisphere. They have attractive young foliage and normally display brilliant autumnal colour. The needle-shaped foliage is borne in loose spirals on long shoots and in whorls on short shoots.

Larix are a very popular species for bonsai, raw material and thick trunks are both relatively easy to obtain, it also has the advantage of its radical change in appearance of its foliage through the seasons.Its small cones that appear in Spring are usually purple in colour before browning and persisting on the tree for a number of years before dropping. Growth in Spring normally commences with the appearance of small whorls of bright green on the branches that resemble shaving brushes.

Larix decidua/European Larch
In its native central and southern Europe, Larix decidua grows extremely fast in its early years, eventually reaching heights of 50metres or more upon which it loses its narrow habit and becomes broader with a flattened crown, its branches gracefully drooping. Its leaves are 1-3 cm long, flat, soft and pale green turning to golden yellow in Autumn. It has greyish bark that forms cracks and ridges in older specimens.

Larix kaempferi/ Japanese Larch
Though native to Japan, Larix Kaempferi is also widely planted in other parts of the world as a forestry tree due to its strength and vigour. Its growth as a juvenile tree is even faster than the European Larch though its ultimate height is no greater. Unlike the drooping branches of the European Larch, the branches of Larix kaempferi spread more or less horizontally. The main way to differentiate between the two species is the colour of the new twigs in winter; Larix kaempferi has a reddish colour whilst Larix decidua is yellow.

Larix x eurolepsis syn L.marschlinsii/Dunkeld Larch
A hybrid of L. decidua and L. kaempferi, the Dunkeld Larch displays characteristics of both its parents.

Larix laricina/ Tamarack (American or Eastern Larch)

Very hardy, to around USDA Zone 3. I am not familiar with this Larch species but am assured that it is regarded in the US as being superior to other Larch species. For more details of Tamarack as bonsai, Nick Lenz' book, 'Bonsai from the Wild' is recommended.

BONSAI CULTIVATION NOTES

POSITION Place in a sunny position, however, ensure leaves don't scorch in full summer sun (often caused by a lack of moisture at the roots), Larches will also grow well in semi-shade. Larch are extremely hardy and require no Winter protection until temperatures drop below -15°C to -20°C. Note that Larch carrying wire through the Winter have been reported to be less hardy.

Larches produce shorter, more compact needles in cooler climates similar to their native habitat; in hot and humid conditions their needles will grow longer.

WATERING Keep evenly moist. Larch kept in full sun during Summer can become very thirsty.

In hard-water areas try to use rainwater or administer a fortnightly dose of ericaceous fertiliser to stop the soil becoming too alkaline.

FEEDING Feed heavily as soon as buds appear in Spring with a high nitrogen feed to force vigorous growth; this should be reduced for finished trees that require only fine growth. Continue to feed well until mid-summer when the tree will enter a semi-dormant period. From late-Summer onwards revert to a low-nitrogen feed to strengthen the tree for the coming Winter.

REPOTTING Larches resent being pot-bound and need repotting annually or bi-annually in Spring as buds extend. Larch generally resent root disturbance. Do not bare-root and do not root prune heavily.

PRUNING Hard pruning and formative pruning is best carried out in late Winter, Larches need judicious pruning at this time of year to retain their shape. Maintenance pruning should be carried out through the year by pinching back new shoots; allowing new growth to extend first before pinching back will allow the branches and trunk to thicken. For a coniferous species, Larches are very vigorous and can replace newly pruned growth within a matter of weeks.

WIRING Larches are best pruned in Spring when the leaf buds are ready to sprout and the bare branches can still be seen; care should be taken not to knock off new buds. Larch branches thicken rapidly and wire should inspected regularly to ensure it is not cutting in. Old branches can be successfully wired though if the bark is rough it can mark easily and the use of guy wires is preferable. Older branches may take a number of years to truly set into position and may therefore require repeated wiring.

PROPAGATION Sow seed in early Spring, cuttings can be difficult to root though semi-ripe cuttings can be taken in summer and hard-wood cuttings can be taken during Winter. Air-layering is successful and can be taken in late Spring.

PESTS AND DISEASES Aphids and scale insects.

STYLING Suitable for all forms except broom in all sizes.

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