Lighting:
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Acacias love lots and lots of light. Move them
outside when the weather permits.
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Watering:
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Moderate to slightly dry; allow the soil to dry between
waterings. Simon & Shuster's recommends daily misting.
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Feeding:
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Every 15-20 days during the growth period. Use a
standard bonsai fertilizer, or a low nitrogen fertilizer to
encourage flowering.
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Repotting:
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Every 2-4 years, depending on the age and vigor of
the tree. Use a fast-draining soil mix, low in organic material.
Reduce top growth in proportion to roots that have been pruned.
Best to repot before acclimating the tree to warmer weather.
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Styling:
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Wiring can be done from spring to autumn, every other
year. Use caution when wiring, as the branches can be delicate.
(and I would add, the tree can fight back! Watch out for those
thorns!) In my experience, acacias can become leggy quickly,
and tend towards top growth at the expense of lower branches,
which sometimes die back. It's essential, therefore, to keep up
with constant minor pruning. Acacias have compound leaves, so
leaf pruning is futile.
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Propagation:
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Seed or cuttings. Cuttings should be taken in
summer and supplied with bottom warmth and rooting hormone.
Frankly, I've never gotten any of mine to take. Propagation
from seeds seems a better bet, as acacias germinate in high numbers.
The seeds do need some special treatment, however, due to their hard
shells. Nick the bottom ends of the seeds with a knife or pair of
clippers, then place the seeds in a bath of hot (not boiling!) water.
Allow them to soak for two days, then sow.
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Pests etc.:
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Aphids, flies, thrips, mites etc., also hard shelled
insects like scale and wooly aphids.
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