Position: Full sun. Protect from extreme afternoon sun during hot summer if the plant has been recently repotted or is not completely established.
Watering: Frequent and regular, particularly in summer. Soil should not completely dry out between waterings. Observe and rely on leaves turgidness to read the plant watering needs.
Feeding: Depending on the desired growth rate, high nitrogen fertilisation after leaves appear in spring can be very effective, though larger and not intended sizes can get disproportionately large. A more balanced, less frequent fertilisation is advisable during the rest of the year until leaf drop.
Repotting: When buds start swelling in spring, roots can be pruned aggressively and old soil can be removed completely. Repot mature specimen every 3-5 years, young ones more frequently.
Soil Ph: Slightly acidic to neutral.
Pruning: Treat the 2 annual flushes of growth differently based on the desired target. Pinch the first 2 leaves as buds open to induce tight ramification. Defoliate entire plant to reduce shoot’s elongation and then partially defoliate them to construct new layers of branches that naturally wig back. Prune higher branches more aggressively to balance strong apical dominance and to allow better growth of basal branches. Avoid pruning during the mid or late summer because of weakened basal dormancy. Hard pruning should be done during dormancy, avoiding callous formation or wounds healing.
Wiring: Young branches are very flexible and can be bent easily all year long. Extra care should be used though as branches thicken very quickly and wire-bite marks are very persistent.
Pests and Disease: High humidity level could favour the formation of fungal infections, mildew and aphids which are common. Aphids are particularly dangerous to the plant during the spring as they suck sap directly from young and soft tissue. Early detection and removal is crucial to avoid spread and severe damage. Excessive water retention and overwatering can cause root rot.