The spruce is an evergreen conifer tree and should be placed outdoors. It is not easily shaped, because wired branches usually tend to go back to their original position.

The spruce produces dark green thick and spiky needles. It produces cones in fall.

Position

Your spruce should be placed outdoors all year long. It needs a lot of light and can tolerate direct sunlight during the winter months. Avoid direct sunlight during the summer months where it could be too strong and potentially damage the tree. During winter, if temperatures drop below 15°F, protect your tree from the cold.

Watering

The spruce needs a lot of water and humidity to properly grow. In summer, water regularly and make sure that the soil is always moist. In winter, check for the soil and only water when it starts to get dry.

Fertilizing

The spruce should be fertilized every month in spring, and then again, every month in fall. Try to choose a fertilizer with a slow decomposition.

Repotting

Repot your spruce every 3-5 years. Use a soil mix composed of 70% of akadama and 30% of lava rock. The spruce needs a draining soil, it will not prosper on a soil mix that retain water. Be careful not to cut too much of the roots when repotting so the tree can remain vigorous.

Pruning

Pinch the young buds in spring to encourage growth. Perform structural pruning in winter by removing any dead wood and dead needles, and cutting the branches that are growing out of the structure.

Wiring

The spruce is not easy to work with, because the branches will unavoidably try to come back to their original position. You can still wire your bonsai tree, and the best moment to do so is in fall or in winter. You can leave the wire for about 10 months, but always keep an eye to make sure that the branches are not growing out of it.

Propagation

The spruce is best obtained through grafting. The spruce is also quite easy to grow from seeds, but this process will take several years for you to obtain a fully-grown tree.

Pests and diseases

The spruce can occasionally be attached by aphids. To get rid of the pests, spray an organic treatment.

Did you know?

The spruce pines are very resistant, and they usually stay on the tree for 4 to 10 years.