Despite how tiny they look, a bonsai tree is a full-sized tree that is kept miniature by applying various techniques. A popular misconception is that a bonsai tree is a small tree that can only grow fragrant flowers. But don’t be fooled by its miniature looks. If you are new to the world of bonsai and are confused about do bonsai trees give fruit, let me clear it up for you.
Bonsai trees are fully capable of growing lovely, edible fruits. A bonsai tree is a full-size tree that is kept miniature by pruning and other techniques. So you can choose any fruit tree from the wide variety out there, keep it as a bonsai tree and get delicious fruits. But it is best to choose fruit trees that grow smaller fruits so they won’t weigh down the smaller branches.
In the rest of the article, I will answer everything there is to know about whether the fruits you get from bonsai trees are edible or not.
I will also talk about some of the most popular bonsai fruit trees if you wish to make a fruit tree bonsai.
Are Fruits From A Bonsai Tree Edible?
Yes, fruits from a bonsai tree are completely edible. They are not much different than the fruits of full sized trees.
Contrary to a popular misconception, a bonsai tree is not a genetically dwarfed plant. Bonsai is an art that lets you grow a miniaturized but realistic form of a tree in a small pot.
You can take any plant and grow it as a bonsai tree by regular pruning. Of course, you can take fruit trees and do the same as well.
Any fruits that grow on a bonsai tree will be just like the ones that grow on a regular tree. It might even be impossible to notice any difference between a fruit grown on a bonsai tree, and one grown on a regular fruit tree.
That is if you provide the perfect growing conditions for your bonsai tree.
In simple terms, as long as you make sure the tree isn’t poisonous, you can eat any type of bonsai fruit. You won’t suffer from any side effects either if you are not regularly spraying the fruits with chemicals.
If you regularly spray growth chemicals or Insecticides, you just have to wash the fruits before consumption.
Lastly, make sure your bonsai tree doesn’t have any fungus, insects, or other diseases. If you are taking care of such problems properly as a bonsai grower, the fruits you get should always be safe to bite into.
Will The Fruits From A Bonsai Tree Be Miniature?
While getting tiny fruits may sound amusing, but any fruit a bonsai tree produces will be regular-sized. The fruits may turn out slightly smaller, but they won’t be miniture in any way.
A bonsai tree is small not because it was genetically modified. It is kept at a small size through pruning and training to limit and redirect its healthy growth.
So the tree is still able to bear fruit the same size as a regular tree. The fruits you get from the bonsai will never change their original size.
But when you get to grow a lemon tree as a bonsai, it can look a bit weird and disproportionate to have huge lemons hanging off the small branches.
If you are more concerned about the aesthetics of your bonsai tree, a berry tree might suit your tastes better.
If you just want to have fun or eat delicious fruits, you can pick whichever fruit tree you want.
What Are Some Popular Bonsai Fruit Trees?
You should be well aware now that bonsai trees will produce healthy and delicious fruits just like a normal-sized tree. The fruits you get will also be regular-sized like a normal fruit tree.
However, because a bonsai tree has small branches, larger fruits such as apples, lemon can look a bit disproportionate and even possibly damage the limbs.
So if you plan to purchase a bonsai fruit tree, you can look for trees that bear comparatively smaller fruits.
They should also meet certain criteria such as – the fruit must respond to pruning well and trees that can grow quickly.
To help you quickly reach a decision, let’s explore some of the most popular fruit trees you could use:
Berries
Berries are one of the most preferred bonsai fruit tree types and reasonably so. Because berries are so small naturally, almost every berry variety will suit a bonsai tree.
The fruits will grow up to be the perfect size for a bonsai tree and make the tree look even more aesthetically pleasing.
On top of it all, you have so many varieties of berries to choose from. You can go for your favorites among cherry, mulberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and much more.
Some berries I would recommend for Bonsai are:
- Bright N Tight Cherry
- Oriental Cherry
- Bahama Cherry
- RabbitEye Blueberry
- Yoshiko Cherry
Citrus
Citrus trees can bring you the best of both full-sized and smaller-sized fruits. But it’s a tropical plant, so you will need to grow the tree outdoors and give them enough light. Then during the winter, the tree will need to stay indoors.
Every bonsai gardener will get to enjoy many options with the fruits coming in a variety of sizes. Key lime is a great choice for baking and a mandarin tree will be amazing if you want a taste of some fresh oranges.
A few citrus tree varieties I would recommend checking out for your Bonsai are:
- Key Lime
- Mandarin
- Citrus Aurantium
- Kishu Mikan
- Hong Kong Kumquat
- Calamondin Orange
Crab Apple
While a regular apple tree will have a very poor germination rate and take a minimum of 7 whole years to bear any fruit, crab apple trees don’t. This plant grows in acidic soil and needs full sunlight per day.
In the springtime, you get to enjoy beautiful white or pink flowers blooming depending on the species. It can be the most beautiful living sculpture in your garden.
A few recommended varieties of this plant for your bonsai are:
- Carmine
- Golden Hornet
- Nagasaki
- Harvest Gold
- Siberian
- Wild Apple
Olive
In the Mediterranean countries, Olive trees are of great value historically and culturally. This evergreen tree represents peace and glory and looks simple but striking as a Bonsai.
While the olives may not be edible after you pick them right off the tree, you can still eat them after you water them and keep them in brine.
Many varieties will produce small olives perfect for a bonsai tree. A few recommended varieties are Wild Olive of the Mediterranean and European Olive.
Pomegranate
Inarguably, pomegranate is the most popular tree among others to most bonsai gardeners. They are stunning to look at and produce delicious fruits. You will also get mystical flowers and a strong, thick trunk with a unique but natural twist.
The combination of so many unique features of a pomegranate tree makes it the most sought-after of all bonsai trees. It will produce fruits and flowers of a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. The most recommended pomegranate for your bonsai would be Dwarf Pomegranate.
Conclusion
If you are a newcomer to the fascinating world of Bonsai trees, there might be much you are unaware of. If you find yourself wondering do bonsai trees grow fruit, I don’t blame you.
When a bonsai tree bears fruits, it surprises many.
But, I hope this article was able to clear things out a bit more. Thanks for stopping by.
