Pine and cypress bonsai care complete guide, keeping your bonsai green throughout the four seasons.

Choose the right pine and cypress species, soil selection and treatment, watering and fertilizing, lighting and temperature, pruning and shaping, pest and disease control.

Pine and cypress bonsai, with their unique shapes and tenacious vitality, have always been highly regarded by gardening enthusiasts. It is not easy to keep a good pot of pine and cypress bonsai. This article will provide you with a detailed analysis of the maintenance methods of pine and cypress bonsai, helping you easily grow a beautiful evergreen bonsai.

Choose the right pine and cypress speciesBefore maintaining pine and cypress bonsai, it is first necessary to choose the right variety. Common pine and cypress species include five-needle pine, black pine, and Huangshan pine. Different species of pine and cypress have slightly different requirements for maintenance conditions. When choosing, you need to choose according to your personal preferences and maintenance conditions.Soil selection and treatment

The soil for pine and cypress bonsai should be well-drained and breathable, such as deciduous soil or peat soil. Before planting, the soil needs to be disinfected. You can use carbendazim or potassium permanganate solution to soak the soil to prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests.

Watering and fertilizing

1. Watering: Pine and cypress bonsai have a high demand for water, but not too much. When watering, follow the principle of "drying and wetting", keeping the soil slightly moist. In the hot summer, you need to increase the frequency of watering to prevent the bonsai from withering.
2. Fertilizing: During the growing period of pine and cypress bonsai, you can apply a compound fertilizer or special bonsai fertilizer once a month. When fertilizing, follow the principle of "fertilizing frequently with small amounts" to avoid excessive fertilization that can cause root burning.

Lighting and temperature

1. Lighting: Pine and cypress bonsai enjoy sunlight and should be placed in a well-lit area. When exposed to strong sunlight in summer, they need to be shaded appropriately to prevent sunburn.
2. Temperature: The suitable temperature for the growth of pine and cypress bonsai is between 15-25°C. In winter, attention should be paid to keeping warm to prevent the bonsai from freezing.

Pruning and shaping

1. Pruning: Pruning of pine and cypress bonsai includes cutting branches, leaves, and roots. Pruning should follow the principle of "cutting off diseased and weak branches and retaining healthy branches" to maintain the beautiful shape of the bonsai.
2. Shaping: The shapes of pine and cypress bonsai mainly include straight trunk, curved trunk, and cliff style. In the process of shaping, attention should be paid to maintaining the balance and beauty of the bonsai.

Pest and disease control

1. Diseases: Common diseases of pine and cypress bonsai include anthracnose and root rot. When diseases are found, it is necessary to cut off the diseased branches and spray fungicides.
2. Pests: Common pests of pine and cypress bonsai include scale insects and red spiders. When pests are found, you can spray insecticides or wipe the leaves with soapy water.