Techniques for creating fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai, crafting an art piece brimming with greenery for the home

Choose the right fast-growing crape myrtle variety, select healthy and high-quality fast-growing crape myrtle, choose the right pot for making fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai, steps for creating fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai, maintenance and management of fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai.

With the acceleration of the pace of life, people pay more and more attention to the greening and beautification of the home environment. Fast-growing crape myrtle has become an ideal material for making bonsai due to its rapid growth, beautiful tree shape, and long blooming period. This article will introduce in detail the techniques for making fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai, helping you to create a pot of green and vibrant home art.

Choose the right fast-growing crape myrtle variety

There are many varieties of fast-growing crape myrtle, such as crape myrtle, red crape myrtle, and silver crape myrtle. When making bonsai, you should choose varieties with moderate growth rate, beautiful tree shape, and less pests and diseases. According to personal preferences and home environment, you can choose varieties such as crape myrtle or red crape myrtle.

Select healthy and high-quality fast-growing crape myrtle

When purchasing fast-growing crape myrtle, you should choose plants with straight trunks, lush branches and leaves, and no pests and diseases. Pay attention to observe whether the root system is developed to ensure that the plant grows well in the pot.

Choose the right pot for making fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai

When making fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai, you should choose materials with good breathability and drainage, such as purple sand pots and ceramic pots. The size of the pot should be determined according to the size and shape of the plant, generally twice the height of the plant.

Steps for creating fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai

1. Preparation: Remove the purchased fast-growing crape myrtle plant from the pot, trim the withered and weak branches, retain the healthy branches, and prune the root system, retaining the main root and some lateral roots.

2. Bonsai shaping: Determine the shape of the fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai according to personal preferences and home environment. Common shapes include straight trunk style, curved trunk style, and cliff style.

3. Bonsai planting: Place the pruned fast-growing crape myrtle plant in the pot, adjust the position of the plant to meet the shape requirements, fill the gaps with gardening soil, and gently compact.

4. Watering and fertilizing: Fast-growing crape myrtle prefers a humid environment but avoids waterlogging. When watering, keep the soil moist and avoid drought. Fertilization can use organic fertilizers, applying once a month.

5. Light and ventilation: Fast-growing crape myrtle likes sunlight and should be placed in a sunny area with good ventilation, which is beneficial for plant growth.

Maintenance and management of fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai

1. Regular pruning: Trim the branches regularly according to the growth of the plant to maintain a beautiful tree shape.

2. Cleaning leaves: Timely remove dust and pests from the leaves to keep the plant healthy.

3. Potting and soil replacement: Replace the pot and soil for the fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai every spring or autumn to promote plant growth.

Making fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai is an art that requires patience and skill. By following the above steps, you will be able to create a unique fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai that adds a touch of green to your home environment. The maintenance and management of fast-growing crape myrtle bonsai is also important. Only with careful care can the bonsai thrive.

References:

Chinese Bonsai Art Magazine, Issue 5, 2019, Page 28.

Report on Fast-Growing Crape Myrtle Bonsai Making and Maintenance, Chinese Society of Horticulture, 2018.