How To Grow Sequoia Bonsai + [Maintenance Tips]

Nature is so calming; it’s where everyone reverts to when the world gets too busy or when they feel they can’t breathe in their home. While we’re all entitled to experience nature and its beauty, most of us don’t have the privilege of growing trees or gardens because of our living conditions. 

But what if I told you there’s a way for you to experience trees even indoors and outside. How? Through growing Sequoia bonsai trees. 

Are you wondering how to grow sequoia Bonsai indoors or outdoor? You grow sequoia Bonsai by sowing, strike cutting, or buying little trees. Sequoia Bonsai grows up to 30 years old. Both species of bonsai grow indoors. However, Sequoia bonsai prefers sandy-loam soil. 

For more information on how to grow the trees, read on. 

Also Check: Is A Bonsai Dead If It Loses it’s Leaves?

How To Grow Sequoia Bonsai

You can grow sequoia bonsai trees by; 

• Sowing 
• Strike cutting
• Buying a little tree

Sowing

Sowing involves growing the trees from tiny seeds. You’ll need to break the seeds out of the cones before planting. But, seeds from young sequoia trees don’t break easily; therefore, they aren’t preferred for planting. 

Consider buying seeds from trees older than 30 years. Your local natural tree seedling sellers stock these seeds. Refrigerate the cones for at least a week to hasten the breaking process. 

Afterward, place the seeds in the top layer of soil mixed with compost. Compost loosens the soil allowing sun rays to reach your seeds. On the other hand, the seeds need sunlight to germinate. Therefore, don’t cover them entirely when planting. 

Strike Cutting

Strikecutting is like propagation, where you cut parts of an already grown sequoia bonsai and replant. Although strike-cut bonsais grow, they take longer than self-germinated trees. Both young and old bonsai trees work in strike-cutting. However, consider cutting in the late season since that’s the time the trees are most vigorous. 

Buying a Little Tree

If you don’t have the patience to wait for the trees to germinate, buy the tree from a tree nursery shop and replant it.

Sequoia bonsai trees have three common species, the dawn redwood sequoia bonsai, the coast redwood, and the giant sequoia bonsai. Each specie requires different growing and caring techniques.  

The dawn and coast redwood sequoia bonsai grow best from sowing seeds and planting. They also require less water. The latter requires moist soil with good water retention. However, both redwood and giant sequoia prefer sandy-loam mixed soils.  

How Do You Grow a Giant Sequoia Bonsai Indoors?

Place your seedlings in a pot with sandy-loam soil to grow giant bonsai indoors. A giant seedling bonsai has shallow roots. Therefore, don’t suffocate it in much soil. Apply fertilizer or compost to the soil to loosen before placing the seed. 

Also, place your tree in the line of the early morning sun. 

Can Redwood Sequoia Bonsai Grow Indoors?

Yes, the redwood sequoia bonsai grows indoors. Most tree enthusiasts gravitate towards this specie of miniature sequoia because it grows relatively quickly. However, because young sequoia seed cones don’t break easily, using them deters growth success. 

If, however, you only have young seeds, consider shaking them up in a container frequently to help them break for germination. 

Additionally, keeping the indoor temperature cold improves germination. Some people grow the redwood miniature trees in refrigerators. Low temperature pushes the seed cones to open for germination quicker than hot temperatures. 

As you start growing, note that redwood bonsais require 8 hours of sun daily in their germinating phase. 

How Do You Prune a Sequoia Bonsai Tree?

You prune sequoia bonsai trees by cutting through existing branches. However, before cutting, note that the lower branches shade the soil from the hot sun, preventing dehydration. Therefore, only tweeze the lower ones and prune the top branches.

Prune the trees with a diameter lower than 2 inches. First, measure and make sure the branches you intend to cut are 6 inches away from the soil. Then, prune the second layer of branches, making partial 45° cuts to each branch. 

Additionally, resist cutting the top branches unless they’re diseased. 

How Do You Germinate a Giant Sequoia Bonsai?

You germinate bonsai by planting the seeds in moisture-rich soil. Ensure the soil isn’t too wet as this rots the seeds. Bonsai seeds germinate best in sandy soil that’s mixed with loam. First,  place the seeds half an inch under the soil and top the soil off with compost to make it light and fertile. 

Then, water the seeds every two days, exposing the seeds to the early morning sun. The first 20 days are crucial for germination. But, harsh sunlight at this stage kills the seeds. 

If you’ve applied compost, turn the topsoil over every two weeks for uniform decomposition of your compost.  

What Kind of Soil Does Sequoia Bonsai Need?

Sequoia Bonsai trees need sandy-loam soil. This soil mixture has good aeration and water retention capabilities. 

Therefore, it’s excellent for growing sequoia. Additionally, sandy-loam soil has a 5-16% moisture content that’s excellent for seed germination. 

How Often Should You Water a Giant Sequoia Bonsai?

You should water a giant sequoia bonsai every day. However, watering frequency changes if your soil mixture has good water retention. Therefore, consider using sandy-loam soil. 

This mixture of soil only needs water when the top is dry. However, on hot days, water the trees daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Sequoia Bonsai Trees Grow Everywhere?

No, sequoia trees don’t grow everywhere. Instead, they grow in high elevation areas with moist soils in the late seasons. Although they like cold weather, the trees require up to 8 hours of sun in their early growing stages. 

Therefore, while choosing areas to grow your tree, it’s essential to check the warmth. The trees prefer deep, loose, well-drained sandy soil mixed with loam.  

How Fast Do Giant Sequoia Bonsai Grow?

The giant sequoia bonsai grows relatively slowly, that is, 1 inch in diameter every year. However, with proper feeding and watering, it grows up to 10m in 10 years. That, therefore, means that in 50 years, it’ll be around 30m tall.  

The trees grow faster in width than height and are reported to continue growing forever unless external factors like erosion or deforestation kill them. 

Why Is My Giant Sequoia Bonsai Turning Brown?

Your sequoia bonsai is turning brown because of the lack of sunlight. Although the trees don’t like the intense sun, lack of proper light turns them brown and later die. 

During their early growing stages, if giant sequoia receives less than 25% of sunlight every day, they brown and die. 

Therefore, if your location doesn’t receive adequate sunlight, fertilize the soil with compost rich in potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen to compensate. 

Why Do Sequoias not Burn?

Sequoia doesn’t burn because they have thick solid barks that insulate the tree from fire. These trees are the largest on earth and have deep roots that don’t easily waiver, even during a fire. Additionally, their branches grow away from the ground. 

So,  it’s difficult for the tree to catch fire without low branches. Branches are the most vulnerable parts of the tree in the face of fire. 

However, old sequoia trees burn and die because they’ve weathered out. 

Are Fires Suitable for Sequoia Trees?

Yes, fire helps sequoia seed cones open faster. The trees can hold seeds inside the cones for up to 20 years. So, setting sequoia trees on fire under controlled conditions helps open seed cones. Also, fire clears the topsoil for seeds to land and germinate faster. 

Why are Giant Sequoias Important?

Giant sequoias are essential because they harness greenhouse gases. Since they grow tall and survive the longest, they absorb the most carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sequester it. Consequently, they reduce the effects of climate change. 

Similarly, sequoia roots grow deep, helping filter and regulate groundwater upstream to downstream. 

How Old do Sequoia Bonsai Trees Get?

Sequoia bonsai grow up to 3000 years old. Their roots start developing and making deep channels in the ground from a young age. Deep roots allow them access to water and minerals faster and more frequently than other trees increasing their chances of survival. 

Additionally, sequoia trees keep seedlings in sturdy closed cones for years. Even after a tree dies, its cones remain safe and continue growing decades later once they break. 

Moreover, their lifespan is significantly longer because sequoia adapts better to changing environmental conditions than most trees. Due to their layered solid bark and deep roots, sequoias aren’t immediately affected by the increased temperatures and forest fires. 

Their deep roots find water faster than other trees, so they don’t dry out and die quickly. 

Parting Point

Seeing sequoia bonsais is marvelous. However, they aren’t easy to grow and take up to 2000 years to reach full height. Sometimes, bonsais grow well after the planter has departed. That shouldn’t deter you from trying out planting. 

However, take note of the soil mixture needed for bonsai growth. Very few places have sandy-loam soil. Therefore, survey your fields to ensure your soil is supportive before setting your seeds. 

Additionally, take note not to expose your bonsai to fires for no reason. While it’s true they survive forest fires due to solid barks; constant fires lower the soil nutrient that leads to your trees dying.