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Can Araucaria Make Good Bonsai: How To Grow It?

If you are a bonsai enthusiast, you will fall in love with miniature Araucaria(Monkey Puzzle Tree) with unique spiky foliage resembling the shape of brush and rough textured bark. 

Generally, Araucaria can be a good choice for bonsai due to its uniquely beautiful, pyramidal appearance. However, finding the miniature form of Araucaria can be challenging as it is very difficult to grow bonsai due to high specific needs, slow growth, and protected status.

Growing Araucaria or Monkey Puzzle Tree bonsai till maturity needs hard work, time, dedication, and lots of patience.

So, go through this entire article to know the pros and cons of miniature Araucaria and the best places to buy this tree.

Can You Bonsai Araucaria?

Araucaria can be a good choice for bonsai due to its uniquely beautiful, pyramidal appearance. Moreover, the slow growth can make it easy for gradual shaping and maintenance.

The resistance of the foliage against several pests and diseases is another plus point. You can enjoy the miniature form without any worries.

Araucaria in a bonsai form
The spiny leaves make Araucaria look excellent as a miniature form indoors.

However, the slow growth can also be a hindrance as it becomes tiresome due to the long-term project requiring lots of patience and dedication.

Furthermore, the growing tips take even longer to rebud. This can create difficulties in shaping the bonsai.

Additionally, the high specific demands, limited availabilities, and heavy foliage leading to stem breakage are other barriers for Araucaria bonsai.

Araucaria Bonsai For Sale

Finding the miniature form of Araucaria can be challenging as it is very difficult to grow bonsai due to high specific needs and slow growth.

Also, Araucaria is protected in some regions. So, make sure you buy the bonsai trees from reputed, ethical, and sustainable stores. 

Place To BuyShipping Time
Green Bonsai1-5 business days
Broad Ripple Bonsai1-2 business days
Amazon4-5 business days

Araucaria Bonsai Care

You can buy seedlings from nearby nurseries and grow them as bonsai or buy miniature trees already settled in a pot culture.

However, just buying or growing seedlings is not enough as Araucaria demands regular care to maintain its miniature shape and stay healthy.

  • Choose unglazed ceramic or terracotta pots and well-draining succulent potting soil if you are growing bonsai from seedlings.
  • Place your bonsai in a location receiving at least 6 hours of full sunlight.
  • If you are growing indoors, provide 12-14 hours of artificial light.
  • Water your new bonsai only when the top 2 inches of the soil feels dry. Soggy soil may invite root rot.
  • During the excessive temperatures, bring your bonsai indoors or use frost blankets to protect them from excessive cold.
  • Use pesticides, fungicides, or neem oil to prevent the risk of pest and disease infestation.
  • Regular pruning and wiring is the most important task to maintain the miniature shape.

From Editorial Team

Additional Tips!

If you are trying to grow Araucaria bonsai yourself, Norfolk Island Pine is the easiest species to propagate and care for.

You can also research other species to know about their specific demands and propagation techniques.

Moreover, if you are a beginner, it’s better to start with beginner-friendly species with minimal maintenance requirements.

Contact a professional bonsai expert if you face any problems while bonsai growing journey.

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