Douglas Fir Bonsai: Everything You Need To Know

As Christmas is near, Douglas Fir can be the perfect choice for bonsai to enhance indoor aesthetics as well as decorate as a Christmas tree.

Before making a decision to buy or grow Douglas Fir bonsai, go through this entire article to know about the growth rate and places to buy in detail.

How Long Does Douglas Fir Take To Grow?

If you want to grow Douglas Fir as a Christmas tree, it may take about 7-10 years to reach a height of 6-8 feet. Otherwise, it may take over a century for the maturity.

This tree can grow faster during the seedling stage. Young Douglas fir can grow more than 2 feet per year.

After the tree reaches the age of about 4-7 years, the growth gradually starts to slow down. At this age, you can see the tree growing 1-2 feet per year.

Later, when the tree crosses over 8-10 years, it still can grow about 1 foot per year. However, the growth becomes very slow upon the aging of the tree.

So, the maturity of Douglas Fir takes very long, more than 100 years. This tree can grow for more than 1000 years in the wild condition.

However, the growth rate also depends on environmental conditions, the variety of the tree, and genetics.

Douglas Fir Bonsai For Sale

You can grow Douglas Fir bonsai from seedlings by yourself but it needs lots of hardworks, time, and dedication. It may be more challenging if you are a beginner.

You can also buy bonsai from commercial online stores or nearby nurseries. However, finding bonsai with your desired shape always needs luck.

Douglas Fir Bonsai Care 

Buying Douglas fir from nurseries or commercial stores is just the beginning. This tree demands immense care and high maintenance to stay healthy with lush branches.

Here are some care tips that are vital to keep your Douglas Fir bonsai thriving for several years.

• Place your bonsai in a place receiving about 6-8 hours of full sunlight daily. If you wish to place it indoors, place it on an east-facing window.
• You need to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to prevent root rot. Water only when the top 2 inches of the soil feels dry. 
• Ensure the pot has enough drainage holes. If there are none, drill yourself.
• Temperature is vital to make your Douglas Fir happy. Maintain the temperature between 40°F and 75°F.
• Mist the tree twice daily during dry seasons. In the chillingly cold temperatures, protect it using frost blankets.
• Use pesticides, fungicides, or neem oil to protect your bonsai from pathogenic diseases or nasty pests.
• Feed your bonsai with bonsai food only during the growing season.
• Trim the tree regularly and consider wiring to maintain the good shape and size of the tree.