Growing Kratom
Here should be a place for a photo series about the development of kratom into a bonsai. Still the kratom tree doesn't look quite like a bonsai, but bonsai are a "never ending work in progress" anyway.
Kratom seems very well suited for bonsai-ing, it tolerates branch and root pruning very well, and grows relatively quickly in mid-summer.
06.07.2017
Some normal moist potting soil was put in Tupperware and the kratom seeds were sprinkled on top. The seeds were not covered as they need light to germinate. The tupperware was covered with cling film to increase humidity and placed in a bright place by the window. The room temperature is around 26°C.
11.07.2017
First signs of germination.
23.07.2017
The first true leaves after cotyledons are visible.
03.09.2017
Growth progress
30.10.2017
Plants were pricked and repotted, leaving several plants together so as not to damage the roots.
23.01.2018
The plants were separated and pinched to make them branch out.
Getting the plants apart proved to be a bit difficult, as the pot was already very well rooted, and the roots of the plants grew into each other. It would have been worthwhile to transplant the plants properly during the last repotting.
The plants are since October under a r/b LED with an actual power of about 50 watts. After a period of acclimation and also burns from the strong light, the plants are growing quite well. A less intense light source would have been sufficient.
Acclimatization to normal room humidity already took place before repotting, but are now back under a plastic bag due to root loss by separating.
02.05.2018
The budding Kratom bonsai is decapitated and defoliated for more branching and is placed in a bonsai bowl that is still way too big. The roots have also been trimmed a bit. Leaf discoloration occurs due to the light source.
16.06.2018
The Kratom seems to have tolerated the pruning well and sprouted again well after a week, and has put on a decent amount of growth in the last few weeks.
15.08.2018
Repotting and root pruning of a bonsai should normally always be done in the spring before the growing season.
Being curious, I did not miss the opportunity to do it before the fall.
As expected, the pot was very well rooted. Some soil was carefully removed, and this time the roots were cut back only a little.
In addition, after the root pruning and repotting also removed a few leaves. This year will probably not do much more.
28.05.2019
Repotted kratom bonsai and cut back roots by about a third. The bonsai still looks banged up from the winter. It stood most of the time at the window without artificial lighting due to the mild winter.
03.06.2019
Leaf mass was also removed.
23.06.2019
After about 3 weeks, it has good foliage again. It still doesn't quite look like a bonsai. But it makes it´s way ;)
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