Dwarf Powder Puff Care Sheet

Dwarf Powder Puff
Care Sheet
Brought to you by
S & S Bonsai of Colorado Springs, Colorado
(Most of the included information is obtained from several
online sources.)
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if
you were to live forever.”
—Mahatma Gandhi—

The Dwarf Powder Puff
(Calliandra emarginata or Calliandra
haematocephala )
General Information: Calliandra consists of 150
plus species of tropical, evergreen shrubs and
trees which can be found throughout tropical regions
of the Americas, Asia, Madagascar and along
the Mediterranean and in Europe. In the landscape
they are primarily grown for their showy
inflorescence.
Calliandra species have compound leaves that
close up at night. The leaves may also respond to
movement from one place to another, cold
weather and even a windy day. If they actually
wilt, it is usually a warning that it needs water.
The actual flower buds resemble raspberries and
are very small, delicate crimson `puffs`, however
the brightly colored stamen make them appear
larger (long stamens and pistils shoot out from a
tiny calyx). The length of the stamens varies from
species to species. The Calliandras attract hummingbirds
due to the bright pink or red puffy flowers.
The major bonsai 'fault' of the haematocephala
variety is the trunk rarely attains great thickness.
Even many of the aged Calliandra specimens in
the landscape have relatively small trunks. C.
schultzei is an exception! This Bonsai is an easy to
grow plant that will flower year round. It is perfect
for beginners as it is drought tolerant and resistant
to diseases and pests.
CARE
Temperature: Zones 9b - 11. Protect below 40°F.
Prefers winter temperatures between 59-64 degrees.
The Powder Puff is typically an outdoor plant
in warmer climates and prefers consistent warmth.
Frost is dangerous to this plant.
Lighting: If grown indoors, you must choose a
bright sunny location or supplemental lighting
would most likely be required. If outdoor temperatures
permit it to be outside, it will enjoy bright
light with protection from midday sun to prevent
burning of leaves. It tolerates both full sun and full
shade. The big difference will be the size of leaves.
Like many legumes the leaves are compound. For
more compact growth some sun or very high light
is desirable.
Air: Ventilation is good but too much wind may
cause the leaves to close up.
Watering: Calliandra prefers moist and slightly alkaline
soil. Keep the Powder Puff bonsai evenly
moist in well drained soil. Not too wet, not too dry.
Powder Puff Bonsai need humidity, so misting and
keeping your Bonsai on a humidity tray will be
beneficial. The Dwarf Powder Puff is not tolerant of
salt.
Fertilizing: During the growing season, a regular
weekly feeding program with a balanced liquid fertilizer
(once a month during cooler weather) will
keep your Calliandra nourished. Occasional leaf
yellowing can be resolved with an iron supplement.
Pruning / Training: Prune your Dwarf Powder Puff
during its growing season, spring and summer. The
Dwarf Powder Puff may be wired, however it must
be done early because older branches become stiff
and brittle. It is best to wire only the new growth
that has not hardened yet. As young trees, the
trunk can be bent and shaped easily. Older trees
are more difficult to bend and are usually styled as
upright bonsai. Most species have flexible branches
and take well to wiring. The bark of the Powder
Puff is thin and damages easily, so take care when
wiring
New foliage breaks on old wood, therefore severe
pruning responds nicely. Frequent foliage trimming,
any time of year, encourages more compact
foliage. Remove spent flowers to encourage more!
This practice will save 'energy' in the plant for
growth, so that it will not try to make 'fruit'.
Insects / Pests: Powder Puff bonsai outdoors are
susceptible to very few pests and/or diseases.
Aphids may be the most likely nuisance. Watch for
the common greenhouse (indoor) pests such as
aphids, scale and mites. With good air circulation
pests are limited to occasional aphids and infrequent
scale. The best remedy is a spray wash of
soap and water.
Propagation: Calliandra are most often commercially
propagated from seed; they may also be
grown from cuttings and air layers. Many hobbyists
begin their powder puff bonsai with nursery
stock.
Repotting: Repot every two years. The best seasons
for styling, potting and repotting this bonsai
tree are spring and summer. In warm climates,
you will have success repotting year round. Check
the roots annually to ensure that they are not becoming
root bound. Occasionally severe root
pruning may cause leaf drop. Calliandra schultzei
is very fast to re-create extensive roots. Calliandra
haematocephala is much slower and it also responds
slowly to leaf loss. Use a well draining soil,
adding organic to the mix is recommended.
Design and Styling: Can be done in most styles
including informal upright and cascade.