Carpinus betulus - B5500

Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, it benefits from some protection from intense summer sun.

Watering: Requires regular watering, keeping the substrate slightly moist. It tolerates short dry periods better than beech (Fagus sylvatica), but should not be allowed to dry out excessively.

Humidity: Prefers moderate air humidity and benefits from good ventilation.

Pruning: Structural pruning should be carried out in winter during dormancy. Pinching can be performed throughout the growing season to reduce leaf size and encourage fine branching.

Fertilization: Fertilise regularly in spring and summer with a balanced fertiliser. Reduce feeding in late summer and stop in autumn.

Repotting: Repot every 2 to 3 years in early spring before bud break. Use a well-draining substrate rich in organic matter.

Flowering and fruiting: Flowers are inconspicuous and usually insignificant in bonsai. It produces small nut-like fruits (samaras), but they have little ornamental value. Its greatest appeal lies in its fine foliage and attractive bark.