Podocarpus Microphylla

Class

Pinopsida (Conifers)

Division

Pinophyta

Family

Podocarpaceae

Order

Araucariales

Genus

Podocarpus

Species

microphylla

Description

Evergreen perennial conifer appreciated in the art of bonsai for its compact habit and needle-like foliage. It is considered an indoor bonsai because it fears frost, it is possible to grow it outdoors in full sun in the warm season while in winter it is necessary to place it indoors at temperatures above 12°C.

Variety description

A family of podocarpaceae, it is native to China and Japan. In the wild, it has an arboreal habitus (it can reach up to 18 m in height) and has long, leathery, needle-shaped persistent leaves, green above and green-grey on the underside inserted in dense twigs.

Curiosities and special features

Podocarpus microphylla belongs to the same botanical genus as Podocarpus macrophylla but differs from it mainly in the size it attains, which is more compact, and the needle-like foliage, which is smaller.

Origin and distribution

Native species of the subtropical biome of China and Japan.

Leaf

The leathery, persistent leaves have elongated needle-like laminae.

Leaf colour

The leaves are two-tone, green on the upper page and green-grey on the underside.

Lifespan

Evergreen perennial conifer.

Where to plant

Suitable for cultivation as pot bonsai , large pots, small pots.

Stem

The stem is woody with cracked bark.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth plant.

Plant habit

It develops an erect habitus.

Branching

medium with dense twigs.

PH

It requires a soil pH of between 5.5 and 6.5. Attention should also be paid to the acidity level of the irrigation water, which should not alter the optimal values indicated.

Sun exposure

It is a full sun, indoor plant in the cold season.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 25 °C. The vital temperature is between 5 and 40 °C. It is considered an indoor bonsai because it fears frost; during the winter it is necessary to place it indoors at temperatures above 12 °C.

Use

Appreciated as a bonsai species in:

Ornamental Outdoor ornamental Indoor ornamental

Hardiness

Of medium to low hardiness, it fears frost.

Soil

Use a specific soil for bonsai. You can use a mixture with 40% clay component (akadama), 40% peat-based soil and 20% porous part (sand, pumice...).

Difficulty

With the right cultivation care and ensuring suitable environmental growing conditions, it is fairly easy to grow.

Growing tips

For proper vegetative growth, it is recommended to
Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours

Pruning

Regularly cut off the apexes of new shoots, so that the vegetation is contained.

Repotting

Repotting should be carried out every two years or so, at the time of spring vegetative growth.

Watering

Irrigation, in the pot and under the foliage, should be daily and abundant during the spring-summer period, and more sparsely during the winter. Always avoid water stagnation.

Fertilising

Apply Japanese organic, slow-release fertilisers to the pot under the foliage on a monthly basis, lightly inserting the granules into the soil. Reduce doses in the hot summer months. Keep the nitrogen level low to avoid excessive vegetative growth, particularly in early winter, change the type of fertiliser, decreasing the nitrogen content. Also remove spent fertiliser granules every month and replace with new ones.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

Keep the nitrogen level low to avoid excessive vegetative growth. Particularly in early winter, change the type of fertiliser, decreasing the nitrogen content. Specific potting soil for bonsai. Prepare a mixture of 50% clay part (akadama), 30% peat-based soil, 20% porous part (sand, pumice...).