Bonsai Osmanthus Dwarfing and Shaping Techniques
Today's sharing: Introduction to the common knowledge of flower cultivation - osmanthus, techniques for dwarfing and shaping potted osmanthus. Next, the editor will introduce to everyone.
Potted osmanthus requires a矮健, symmetrical plant shape, a compact crown, sparse branches and leaves, and abundant flowers with fragrance. To achieve this goal, the author has explored two measures for dwarfing and shaping potted osmanthus from years of cultivation practice, which are introduced as follows:
1. The method of removing the top buds
Every spring, in order to control the vigorous growth trend of potted osmanthus, when the new shoots are rapidly sprouting and most of the tender branches have stopped growing at the top, use scissors to cut off the top of all new branches. However, for young trees of two to three years old, sometimes in order to keep the crown uniform and balanced, 2 to 3 new shoots can be left on the deficient part of the branches, and more should not be left, otherwise, it will affect the effect of removing the top buds.
After the top of the branches is destroyed, it forces the nutritional growth points to redistribute. While the branches sprout and grow in spring, it is also a stage of rapid root growth. However, the sudden cutting off of all the top of the new shoots also breaks the balance of the original growth ratio between the roots and the crown. Under the strong stimulation of such topping, the potted osmanthus requires a quick new balance and produces a strong burst of branch growth. Therefore, around the cut top of the branches, the axillary buds will quickly germinate, and after about 10 days, they will all sprout, which is 4 to 5 times more than the topped new shoots. Due to the doubling of the new branches and the scattered force, the new branches grow short and compact. It not only dwarfs and beautifies the tree shape but also promotes early flowering, making the flowers more abundant.
2. The method of bending long branches
If the branches of the potted osmanthus are of different lengths and the lower part of the long branches is empty, it will affect the beauty of the plant shape. In this case, the empty part of the lower part of the long branch can be bent to fill the gap to achieve the effect of dwarfing and beautifying. The bending time should be in late autumn when the sap flow is not vigorous. Before bending, the water of the potted osmanthus should be controlled, and the bending should be done in the afternoon when the branches have less water, making them softer and less likely to break. For thinner branches, a thin bamboo stick or small stick can be inserted next to them, and the bending place needs to be tied to the thin bamboo stick or small stick; if the branch to be bent is thick and hard, you can twist the part to be bent several times to soften it before bending.
If you bend it once, it is easy to break the branch. Insert two bamboo stakes at the bending point of the branch, one close to the branch, and tie a thin hemp rope at the bending point of the branch; then insert only one bamboo stake at the position to be bent, and also tie a thin hemp rope at the bending point of the branch. The bending shape of the branch should be slightly varied to make the bent branch look beautiful and not stiff. After adjusting the branches, all the bending points need to be securely tied with thin hemp rope to prevent relaxation and restore. The bamboo stakes should be securely inserted to prevent them from falling over or being pulled out. By the following spring, after the new branches have grown, they should be trimmed and shaped slightly, and all the binding ropes should be removed. At this time, the bent branches have died and will not deform. Branch bending is a process of artificial shaping based on the tree shape and tree vigor, which not only dwarfs the tree shape but also adjusts and beautifies the crown, thereby greatly improving the ornamental value of potted osmanthus.
The above is a brief experience about the dwarfing and shaping techniques of potted osmanthus, hoping it can be helpful to you in life!