Family: Burseraceae
Habitat: Central and Southern America
Cultivation: Choose a full-sun exposure and pay attention to low temperatures (never below 6-8ºC). Water regularly in Spring and Summer.
Curiosity: Its name comes from the botanist Joachim Burser, born in Germany and lived in Denmark between 1583 and 1639.

– KEY FEATURES

Plants of the genus “Bursera” are adapted to tropical climates and temperate forests. They are deciduous bushes or tiny trees of various dimensions: they can reach an height of 25 meters! An important and particular plant of this genus developed a big caudex (caudex means a swollen part of the trunk) which make it able to survive to long periods of drought.

VARIETY AND TYPES

“Bursera” genus includes about a hundred species, widespread in an area going from Southern USA to Argentina. Among the numerous species of Bursera, the most important is Bursera fagaroides because, although being a big plant, it lends itself to be cultivated as a bonsai.

TIPS FOR GROWING

SUN EXPOSURE:
Burseras need plenty of light: put them in a bright spot.
TEMPERATURE:
Pay attention to low temperatures. In case of short frosts, a few samples survive, even at a temperature below 0ºC, but they generally prefer a temperature above 6-8ºC.
WATERING:
Water regularly, every 2-3 days in Spring and Summer. In Autumn and Winter, when the plant loses its leaves avoid watering until the period of Spring vegetative awakening. If the caudex seems to empty, try to steam the plant a little bit.
SUBSTRATE:
Use a mix with 50% of fertil soil and 50% of inorganic matter (sand, pebble), to have a well-draining and also nutrient substrate.
REPOTTING:
If you grow your Bursera as a bonsai, pay attention to repottings, which shouldn’t allow roots to grow too much.
PROPAGATION:
Propagation is generally carried out through seeds.