How to prune and retain branches of winter red fruit
This is a small piece of knowledge, sharing with you how to prune and retain branches of winter red fruit and the related contents about pruning time and methods of green plants. Next, the editor will introduce to the netizens.
Winter red fruit is a small shrub of the Rosaceae apple genus. Its fruit is like a "small apple," maturing to a bright red color, smooth and small, with vibrant colors, clustering on the branches, with numerous fruits that can remain on the tree throughout winter, making it highly ornamental and commonly used for bonsai making. The ornamental period of winter red fruit bonsai coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day. If artificial control measures are taken, the fruit viewing period can be extended to Christmas and the Spring Festival, which has high commercial value. Therefore, many people have started large-scale production of it. Now, the editor would like to share some current techniques for making and caring for winter red fruit bonsai with everyone, and those who are interested can learn more.
I. Acquisition of Tree Stumps
Compared to other common species in the apple genus, winter red fruit has smaller leaves and a relatively slower growth rate, so it is often cultivated through grafting. Common rootstocks include apples, crabapples, or hawthorns, and bud grafting or branch grafting can be performed. Bud grafting is usually done at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, while branch grafting is done when the plants start to sprout in spring.
II. Shaping of Tree Stumps
The branches of winter red fruit are soft, flexible, and durable, making them suitable for wiring. Because of its dense flowers and fruits, it is important to ensure that the branches are evenly distributed when shaping, with more side branches and a balanced tree structure. Early pruning and shortening are often done to increase the number of branches and form layered structures through wiring. Artificially cultivated stumps often lack an ancient feel, which can be created by striking, scratching, or tearing the bark on the stems.
III. Bonsai Maintenance
After forming, the winter red fruit bonsai needs to be pruned regularly, especially during the vigorous growth in summer, to maintain a clear inner canopy and ensure better flowering and fruiting. For commercial winter red fruit bonsai, a special pruning is required before going on the market to enhance its ornamental value by removing some branches and leaves that block the view, revealing more fruits, and not necessarily all of them, as a hint of visibility can also be beautiful.
How to prune and retain branches of winter red fruit
A crucial part of maintaining winter red fruit bonsai is flower and fruit management. Its flowering period is in spring, and it is important to note that it is a cross-pollinated plant. In spring, it should be moved outdoors to get adequate sunlight and complete pollination. If not controlled, winter red fruit will produce a large number of fruits, which can lead to excessive nutrient consumption by the tree and difficulty in fruiting the following year, so it is important to thin flowers and fruits reasonably. To make winter red fruit hang on for a long time, you can spray naphthalene acetic acid or gibberellin, which are two plant growth regulators that can delay fruit maturation and thus extend the fruit hanging time. Generally, start spraying when the fruit turns yellow and spray every half a month to effectively improve fruit retention.
The above (Green Plant Enthusiast Network) introduces to you the complete content on how to prune and retain branches of winter red fruit and the pruning time and methods, for your comprehensive understanding and reference!