Production and maintenance of small leaf gardenia bonsai
As an evergreen shrub with both ornamental and artistic value, small-leaf gardenia occupies an important position in the bonsai world with its white and fragrant flowers and vigorous and simple tree shapes. Its production and maintenance require specific techniques to show the unique oriental gardening aesthetics. The key points for selecting small-leaf gardenia bonsai The regional adaptation characteristics are inspired by the allusions of "Yanzi Spring and Autumn Annals" that "Orange and Huai are trifoliate". The selection of materials needs to consider regional differences: in the south, we should choose piles more than 5 years old, with branches reaching 3-5cm in diameter and naturally distorted shape; In the north, it is recommended to choose 2-3 years old strong plants, focusing on observing whether the distribution of lateral branches forms a natural layered sense. Standard qualified materials for healthy plants should have the characteristics of thick main roots (diameter ≥1cm), dense fibrous roots (≥8 per square centimeter), and dark brown cracked trunk cortex. The leaves should be thick green and shiny without disease spots, and the leaf spacing should be controlled at 0.8- 1.2 cm. The matrix formula of the core technology for bonsai forming adopts a "sandwich" structure: 3cm of volcanic rock (particle size 8-12mm) is laid on the bottom layer, mixed with murus soil: red jade soil: deer swamp soil =5:3:2 in the middle layer, and covered with 1cm fermented pine needles. Add 50g of sulfur powder to each cubic meter to maintain the pH value of 5.5-6.0. The modeling and pruning system implements the "three-cutting method": cut off the lower 3 nodes of the residual flowers after flowering and retain 2 pairs of leaves; re-cut and adjust the skeleton during the dormant period to retain 5-7 main modeling branches; pinch once a month during the growth period, leaving 3 leaves for new shoots. Aluminum wire coiling should be carried out when the branches are semi-lignified. The water management plan adopts the "see dry, see wet" method. When the substrate on the surface layer turns white, it is poured thoroughly with rainwater or tap water that has been left to stand for 3 days. Spray once in the morning and evening in summer, and maintain the humidity at 65%-75%. Full-cycle maintenance strategy Operation specifications for changing pots before and after the sting every 2 years, retaining 1/3 of the soil protective soil. When pruning, fine roots with a diameter of less than 2mm are cut off, and the main roots are shortened by 1/3. The diameter of the new basin is 3-5cm larger than that of the original basin. It is disinfected with boiling water before use. The nutrient supply plan applies cake fertilizer and water (diluted by 500 times) twice a month during the growing period, and adds potassium dihydrogen phosphate (0.2% solution) during the budding period. In winter, 20g of bone meal was buried as base fertilizer, and the soil was improved with EM bacterial solution.
Through systematic production and maintenance, the small-leaf gardenia bonsai can bloom 3-4 times a year, and the viewing period is as long as 200 days. The key is to grasp the three cores of "selecting materials according to local conditions, arranging layered substrates, and periodic pruning" and cooperate with precise water and fertilizer management to enable this "Southern Jiamu" plant to show its natural beauty in every inch.