The Creation and Care of Juniper Bonsai
Among numerous bonsai plants, juniper is favored by enthusiasts for its sturdy branches and evergreen characteristics throughout the year. This high-altitude plant, after artistic shaping, can display a unique natural mood. This article will systematically explain the entire process from material selection to completion, helping you master the essence of juniper bonsai cultivation.
Key Points for Selecting and Processing Juniper Materials
Techniques for Collecting Wild Juniper Stocks
Every February to March, when the snow and ice melt, is the best period for collecting. Choose plants growing on sunny slopes at an altitude of 1500 meters or higher. When digging, retain the original soil within 30 cm around the main root, wrap it with moss to keep it moist during transportation. Pay attention to selecting individuals with twisted branches and bark with a weathered appearance.
Artificial Propagation and Cultivation
Propagation can be carried out through seeding or cutting, using a mixture of peat soil and volcanic rock in a 3:1 ratio. During the seedling stage, apply diluted organic liquid fertilizer monthly, maintaining an environmental temperature of 15-25°C. Initial shaping can be performed after three years.
Core Techniques for Shaping and Creation
Root Pruning Techniques
When potting for the first time, cut off the straight roots, retaining 3-5 lateral roots in a radial distribution. Use a sterilized scissor to make a 45-degree diagonal cut and apply a healing agent to the cut. A purple sand pot with a depth of 15-20 cm is recommended.
Methods for Shaping Branches
Use the aluminum wire winding method, shaping from the main trunk to the secondary branches layer by layer. Retain 30% of the original branches and leaves to maintain photosynthesis, and cut off redundant branches such as parallel and crossed branches. Special care must be taken to protect the natural deadwood, which is key to enhancing artistic value.
Key Elements of Daily Maintenance
Temperature and Humidity Control
Maintain an air humidity of 60%-70% during the growing season, and provide shade during the hot summer noon. In winter, require a low temperature of 5-10°C for vernalization, avoiding long periods above 15°C that could lead to insufficient dormancy.
Water and Fertilizer Management Cycle
Water twice a week in spring and autumn, and once in the morning and evening during summer. Apply diluted phosphorus and potassium fertilizers every two weeks, and increase the application of bone meal after September to enhance cold resistance. Replace 70% of the potting soil every two years to ensure soil aeration.
Through a systematic cultivation process, the juniper bonsai can gradually reveal its ancient and majestic demeanor. The key is to adhere to the principle of '30% shaping and 70% care,' engaging in artistic creation while following the plant's growth patterns, to create a timeless masterpiece of bonsai art.