Tangerine Bonsai

The Tangerine
Tangerines have been cultivated for over 3,000 years in China and Japan. They did not reach Europe and North America, however, until the nineteenth century. The name tangerine comes from Tangier, Morocco, a port from which the first tangerines were shipped to Europe in 1841.

The tangerine first came to North America in the 19th century, when the Italian consul at New Orleans planted it on the consulate grounds. From there it was brought to Florida some time between 1840 and1894 by Major Atway. Today it is cultivated in subtropical regions worldwide, especially southern Europe and the southern U.S.

It was often given as a gift to children at Christmas time, when it was placed inside their Christmas stockings. It was sometimes referred to as the ?zipper-skin? tangerine or the ?kid-glove orange? because its loose, pliable peel made it easy for children to eat it. For this reason it was widely known as the ?Christmas Orange.?

The Bonsai
Although Buddhist monks from China brought the practice of bonsai to Japan during the Heian period (794 - 1191A.D) it was the Chinese invasion of Japan in the fourteenth century that made the art of bonsai grow to tremendous popularity in Japan.

The earliest bonsai to come to the west came mostly from Japan and China. The showing of bonsai at the Third Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1878 and later exhibitions in 1889 and 1900 increased western interest in bonsai and opened the door for the first major bonsai exhibit held in London in 1909.

With the end of World War II, bonsai became popular again thanks to the soldiers returning from Japan with bonsai in tow. Unfortunately, most of the trees brought home by these soldiers died a short time after their arrival. They survived long enough to create a desire in westerners to learn more about the proper care of their bonsai.

Caring for your Tangerine Bonsai Tree

Light:
Bright light

Watering:
Keep the soil moist to dry, watering every 2-3 days. Do not allow the plant to dry out completely. Water your bonsai from the bottom by submerging the ceramic dish in water to allow the roots to absorb the water (not more than 20 minutes). Always water your plant over the sink.

Tips:
To maintain the shape, pinch off or prune new growth, avoiding any flower buds. Root prune your bonsai once a year in late winter by removing it from its planter and trimming away approximately ? of its roots. Fertilize monthly only when the bonsai is actively growing new buds or leaves.

Tips on Watering
Careful watering is key to maintaining healthy bonsai. Never allow your bonsai to completely dry out. Watering instructions may vary slightly depending on the tree or plant species. Please refer to the information tag attached to your bonsai for specific information. Over time you will be able to evaluate each particular bonsai's water requirements and create your own watering schedule to accommodate it. Note whether your bonsai is considered an indoor or outdoor tree and refer below to more specific watering tips for each type.

Best results are achieved by watering with a small watering can or hose attachment with a fine-spray nozzle so that water cascades are softer, avoiding blasts to bonsai and potting soil. To water, thoroughly soak the container's soil until water runs out of the bottom drainage holes. Periodic misting of the tree's foliage is also recommended.

Trimming and Pinching
Bonsai trees benefit from trimming to maintain their miniature size and beautiful form. Pinch and trim new growth back to the farthest safe point, being careful not to remove all new growth. For more in-depth tips about trimming (and training) techniques, an instructional book will provide the best, safest recommendations to keep your bonsai in tip-top shape.