Maidenhair tree
 
Ginkgo biloba
 
Dob - ± 2001
Height - ± 9 - 12cm
Origin - UK
Pot - terracotta training pot
 
This tree was part of a forest group which has been separated into its componant trees. It has been reduced in height to enable a shohin sized tree to be made.
The ginkgo is a deciduous tree with fan shaped leaves and a columnar silhouette in younger years, getting broader with age. The tree is indigenous to China and is considered a living fossil, dating back 270 million years.
Place the ginkgo outside all year round. It prefers a sunny position but young trees are better placed in semi-shade. The ginkgo can endure frost but when it is planted in a bonsai pot the rootball should be protected from very low temperatures. In spring the new leaves appear quite late usually when there will be no frost anymore. But if the weather forecast is for frosts its better protect ginkgo bonsai when they have already produced leaves, to avoid severe damages.
Ginkgos need plenty of water from spring to autumn but must not be overwatered. Keep them slightly moist in winter.
Begin with fertililiser when the buds begin to open. Use high nitrogen fertiliser in spring to make the tree grow long shoots. Otherwise, especially older ginkgo bonsai might only produce leaves on short shoots and the ramification will not improve. Use liquid fertiliser every week until the leaves turn yellow in autumn. Solid organic fertiliser can also be used. If the plant's vigour must be increased, use both, solid organic fertiliser and liquid fertiliser.
New long shoots should be shortened to one or two leaves when five or six have grown. Larger cut wounds don't heal well so use cut paste and, if possible, avoid producing large wounds. Ginkgo trees can be wired at any time of the year. The branches are quite flexible. Take care not to damage the soft bark of the branches and twigs with the wire.
Younger trees can be repotted every year 2 years in spring, older ones every 3-5 years. Don't prune the roots too heavily. A standard soil mix is fine, but it must be well-draining.
The ginkgo is very resistant and is hardly ever attacked by insects or fungal diseases.