Premna corymbosa, Premna Tree- Bonsai

Premna corymbosa

• Also called as Buas-Buas tree, Headache tree.
• Premna is a genus of flowering plant in the mint family.
• It is a spreading, evergreen multi-branched shrub or small tree.
• Low crown, with woody trunks when mature.
• It has green to brown bark which is smooth or scaly.
• Leaves are broadly ovate with a smooth leathery texture.
• The numerous flowers are cream-green in colour.
• Fruits are more or less spherical.
• The small pungent white flowers are attractive to butterflies.

Planting And Care

Sunlight

• The Flowering Premna thrives in bright light indoors and prefers to be kept outside in the spring and summer.
• A daily dose of four to six hours of sunlight should be sufficient.

Soil

• Soil should be well drained and fertile.

Watering

• Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture.
• Apply water probably in the morning or evening time.
• Do not over-water the plant.
• As a rule of thumb, water the plant thoroughly in the summer and reduce watering in winter and rainy season.

Application of fertilizer

• Before application of fertilizer loosen the topsoil without disturbing the roots of the plant so it can uptake the nutrients and moisture.
• During the main growing season (spring until fall) feed the plant with organic fertilizer once a month.
• Apply water immediately after application of fertilizer.

Plant Protection

• Remove dead, infected or damaged plant parts and discard them away from the plants.
• For any insect attack or disease, you can use Neem oil, Eucalyptus oil or Citrus oil spray for primary treatment.

Repotting

• When the buds swell in the spring, Premnas are re-potted every two or three years.
• It is possible to remove around a third of the root mass. Use a basic soil mix.
• Remove your Bonsai tree from its pot carefully early in the spring to inspect it.
• Your Bonsai has to be repotted if the roots are circling the root system.
• If the roots are still in the soil, leave them there and check again in the spring.

Don’ts

• Do not over water the plant especially when pot does not have drainage holes.
• keep away from the AC Vents.

Initial care for 1-2 weeks after receiving plant at your location.

• Check the moisture in the soil before watering it.
• Poke your finger into the soil, if dry then apply water.
• Keep the plant in indirect light.
• Do not re-pot immediately after receiving it.

Special feature of Premna Tree

A Medicinal tree with aesthetic look.

Ornamental uses