Sageretia Theezans

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Rhamnaceae

Order

Rosales

Genus

Sageretia

Species

theezans

Description

Evergreen perennial species suitable for cultivation as bonsai in different styles. Appreciated for its elegant plant architecture and decorative bark as well as its candid summer flowering. Native to the warm Asian biome, in cool temperate areas it should be grown as an indoor bonsai when average temperatures are below 20°C. It requires a constantly moist but free of stagnation soil.

Variety description

Ramnaceae family, a species native to central Asia. Evergreen, it has small leaves and easily peeling bark, leaving a reddish trunk colour. It produces small white flowers in early summer which, under the right conditions, are followed by small dark berries in late summer. It is considered an indoor bonsai plant. It wants constant temperatures of around 20°c.

Curiosities and special features

The name of the botanical genus was given in honour of the botanist A. Sageret, often regarded as Mendel's forerunner in his hybridisation trials.

In the East, Sageretia is often called 'Peacock Plum' because after flowering it produces, under certain environmental conditions, small dark blue berries that are said to be liked by peacocks.

Origin and distribution

Species native to the warm biome of central and southern China to peninsular Malaysia.

Flower size

The flower is small, lending elegance to the flowering.

Leaf

The small leaves have toothed, oval lamina.

Leaf colour

Homogeneous tone.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.25 to 1.5 m, depending on the growth conditions and the setting of the specimen.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen plant.

Where to plant

Suitable for cultivation as potted bonsai trees , small pots.

Stem

The woody stem has a bark that flakes easily, leaving a reddish trunk colour and giving the plant ornamental value.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a crown-like corolla and shaded petals. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth plant.

Plant habit

It is characterised by a bushy and compact habitus.

Branching

It develops Medium branching.

PH

It requires a pH of the cultivation soil between 5.5 and 6.5.

Sun exposure

Requires exposure in half-shade, avoid exposing it to direct sunlight during the hottest hours.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 18 and 22 °C. The vital temperature is between 10 and 35 °C. In relation to the climatic conditions present, it is considered an indoor plant as it prefers environments with constant temperatures of around 20 °C and good humidity. It is possible to grow it outdoors in spring-summer, with exposure in half-shade, while it should be sheltered in autumn-winter.

Use

Sageretia is highly valued in the art of bonsai in:

Ornamental field Exterior ornamental Indoor ornamental

Hardiness

It has a medium to high degree of hardiness; it is recommended to keep the average temperature around 20 °C as much as possible, avoiding temperature fluctuations.

Soil

Use a high quality bonsai-specific potting soil. Alternatively, use a mixture of 40% granular clay component (akadama), 30% porous part (sand, pumice...) and 30% peat-based soil.

Difficulty

Cultivation of Sageretia, like many other bonsai species, is difficult on average; with the correct cultivation care, you can obtain specimens of high ornamental value.

Growing tips

Here are some useful cultivation tips specific to achieving excellent vegetative development:

Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours Keep the substrate moist at all times

Pruning

Prune regularly, leaving a couple of leaves for new shoots.

Repotting

Possible repotting at vegetative recovery in early spring.

Watering

Watering, in the pot and under the foliage, should be daily and abundant, avoiding drying out the soil and keeping it constantly moist but free of waterlogging. With high temperatures and strong light intensity place it in half shade and spray the foliage with nebulised demineralised water.

Fertilising

Distribute Japanese organic fertiliser once a month in the pot and under the foliage, lightly inserting the granules into the soil. Each month also remove spent fertiliser granules and replace with new ones. At the change of season, in autumn, fertilise as indicated but with less nitrogen-rich fertiliser.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

At the change of season, in autumn, fertilise as indicated, but with a less nitrogen-rich fertiliser (e.g. Biogold classic) Keep the average temperature as close as possible to 20 degrees C, avoiding sudden changes In high temperatures and strong light intensity, keep in half shade and spray the foliage with nebulised demineralised water. Possible potting mix should have granular clay (akadama) part 40%, porous part 30% (sand, pumice...) and peat-based soil 30%.