A bonsai is meant to become another member of the family. With that in mind, you can imagine how important it is to understand what it needs and give it all the care and resources it deserves so that it looks beautiful and enjoys excellent health.

At Zoka, we have already told you about some of the processes involved in caring for this ancient plant, which is as magical as it is delicate. This time, we are going a step further. Have you heard of the sacrifice branch in a bonsai?

If you are just starting out in this very special and beautiful world, it may be a little early for you, but as we are confident and hopeful that you will love it and continue to progress with your favourite tree, we want to take a closer look at a truly interesting and useful process. You will want to know about it!

Discover everything about the sacrifice branch in a bonsai!

A sacrifice branch in a bonsai is one that is deliberately allowed to grow without being affected by the pruning of the tree. Why is this done? The objectives are quite clear. The first is to increase the thickness of the trunk, but we should not forget that it will also help to maintain the bonsai’s tapered shape. This branch can even help to close some wounds on the tree.

Beyond all this, you should also know that once it has fulfilled its purpose of generating a greater flow of sap throughout the tree to achieve the desired thickening, the time has come to remove the branch completely.

Now that you know how useful a sacrifice branch can be in a bonsai, let us look at a few details to bear in mind so that everything goes well and your tree is not harmed. Follow these steps!

  1. Do not prune it: As we have already explained, it should be allowed to grow freely until it has achieved its purpose. Start allowing it to grow at the beginning of spring and throughout the summer. This is the best time, as it coincides with a period of active budding. You will notice very good results.

  2. Keep an eye on the whole bonsai: You must not neglect the rest of the tree. You need to take perfect care of its entire structure. This is the best way to ensure that it benefits fully from what the sacrifice branch provides.

  3. Choose the right position: The best option is to select a branch near the base of the bonsai. This is where it will work most effectively with the surface roots, helping to thicken the trunk.

    That said, if you are particularly concerned about the appearance of the tree, you can also choose a branch at the back, where it will be less noticeable.

  4. Remove it correctly: Cut it off completely once it has fulfilled its purpose, or if you notice that its development has not been favourable and it has altered some of your bonsai’s characteristics in an undesirable way.

Remember, Zoka is always the perfect complement for achieving a spectacular bonsai. Discover our selection of liquid fertilisers for bonsai and choose the one that best suits your tree’s needs, or combine several of them to obtain the best results. Get yours now!