How to care for large banyan tree bonsai
The editor answers questions for netizens about how to care for large banyan tree bonsai and the key points of banyan tree bonsai maintenance in the field of green plants and flowers, and the site editor will introduce the content to netizens next.
Many friends are often attracted to banyan tree bonsai when buying flowers at the flower market. Seeing various banyan tree bonsai with simple and elegant shapes really makes people love them, simple and tasteful, and they also have high ornamental value. Among household plant bonsai, they are also loved by friends because of their evergreen characteristics. Currently, in the northern flower market, the main varieties of banyan tree bonsai are round-leafed money banyan, small-leafed banyan, and grafted ginseng banyan. Among them, the ginseng banyan (also known as sweet potato banyan in Fujian) has occupied a place in the northern flower market due to its high sales volume and various specifications.
Many friends' fondness for banyan trees starts with their "chubby" roots. When looking at the banyan tree bonsai with shiny leaves in the flower market, they don't know why, after buying it home, the leaves turn yellow and fall off, and the branches dry up and die from the inside out!
Pay attention to the following points of maintenance methods to keep your banyan tree bonsai leaves shiny.
1. Cultivation soil
Banyan tree bonsai should use loose and well-draining decomposed leaf soil, usually in the ratio of garden soil : decomposed soil : sand 2:2:1. It is best to place moss of the same size as the pot on top of the bonsai, which is both aesthetic and good for drainage and ventilation.
Sandy soil mixed with coal slag can also be used. General flowering soil without conditions can also be used. Coconut bran matrix can also be used as cultivation soil.
2. Temperature and humidity control
Banyan trees are not cold-resistant and are sensitive to temperature. The daily temperature difference for general growth should not exceed 10℃, which can easily cause the banyan tree to drop leaves and die. In winter, it is best to keep it in a sunny place indoors, with the overwintering temperature not lower than 5℃ to prevent freezing.
Banyan trees are a southern species and require higher air humidity. When maintaining banyan tree bonsai indoors in winter, the air humidity should be kept at around 50%. If the air humidity is too low for a long time, the leaves will lose their luster, become dry, and even fall off when they are still green. To change the air humidity, you can spray more on the leaves and around, or place water basins around. If a humidifier can be used to humidify, the effect will be better.
3. Sufficient lighting
Banyan trees are a type of "strong positive flower" among flowers and need plenty of light. Long-term exposure to insufficient light, poor ventilation, and dry conditions will cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off. In winter, there should be a certain amount of humidity in the space. It is best to place the banyan tree bonsai in a sunny and well-ventilated place, and shade it appropriately in high summer temperatures, avoiding direct sunlight.
4. Watering management
Friends know that most potted plants are drought-resistant, but the banyan tree is an exception. It loves water. If it is not watered for a long time to replenish water, it will wither due to lack of water. Observe it in time and water according to the dryness of the soil to maintain soil moisture. Water until water seeps out from the bottom of the pot, but do not water half the pot (i.e., wet on top and dry on bottom). After watering once, wait for the soil surface to turn white and the topsoil to dry before watering the second time. Do not water when the potting soil is completely dry. In hot seasons, it is necessary to spray water on the leaves or surrounding environment frequently to cool down and increase air humidity. The number of watering should be less in winter and spring, and more in summer and autumn.
When it comes to watering, there are 3 points to note. First, banyan trees are "strongly acidic flowers" and cannot be watered directly with alkaline tap water, or else after 3 times, a layer of leaves will fall off. The correct approach is to always have "ferrous sulfate" or orange peel, lemon slices at home, boil the water and let it cool before watering. Second, when watering in spring, autumn, and winter, be sure to use warm water at 20 degrees. Low-temperature environments combined with cold water are the main factors that prevent flowers from surviving in winter. Third, in addition to watering in summer, you should also "spray water to increase humidity" on the trunk of the banyan tree at night. Many banyan tree trunks will grow some "root-like" roots, called "aerial roots," which are specifically adapted to absorb moisture from the air.
Damage or decay of the banyan tree roots can also cause leaf shedding, but it is difficult to detect since the roots are in the soil. It is common for root rot due to long-term potting or improper fertilization. It is best to check the roots without injuring them, trim dead, weak, and injured roots, dip them in a growth hormone, and then plant them back in the pot.
In the northern winter, with indoor heating, it is necessary to fertilize the banyan tree bonsai slightly in autumn. The most common problem with banyan tree bonsai in winter is yellowing and falling leaves, which may be caused by excessive watering, poor ventilation, or low air humidity. Regardless of the cause of yellowing and falling leaves, reduce watering and not increase watering as the leaves fall, as this will make the situation worse. If some friends' banyan tree bonsai have few leaves left in winter, they should pay attention to water control and wait for the spring when the temperature rises to take it outside for maintenance. New leaves will grow quickly. Therefore, the primary task of maintaining banyan tree bonsai in winter is to prevent root rot. If the roots are fine, everything else will be fine, and the leaves will grow back even if they fall off. But if the roots rot, the leaves may fall off completely, and the entire pot may be ruined.
This article shares a comprehensive introduction on how to care for large banyan tree bonsai and the key points of banyan tree bonsai maintenance, hoping to bring some related knowledge about green plants to green plant enthusiasts.