Techniques for Summer Management of Tree Bonsai
Today, I will explain the introduction to the creation of bonsai for netizens, focusing on the summer management techniques for tree bonsai. Here is the detailed introduction.
Summer management of tree bonsai is somewhat challenging because of the high temperatures, strong sunlight, frequent storms, and pest infestations, which are not conducive to the growth of tree bonsai. A slight neglect may cause death, and it is difficult to make up for. Based on my own experience, I believe that by paying close attention to the following aspects of management, tree bonsai can smoothly survive the summer.
1. Shaping and Pruning
It is necessary to reshape and prune the tree bonsai around the beginning of summer, which helps maintain the tree's beautiful shape and reduces nutrient loss, enhancing the tree's ability to endure dry and hot weather. At the same time, pruning the top growth of the tree bonsai can encourage new buds to grow, increasing its ornamental value.
(1) Pinching. After spring, when the new branches of the tree bonsai have grown to a certain length and before they become woody, pinch off the tip of the growing shoot with your hand to prevent excessive growth of the branches, reduce the branch spacing, maintain a certain posture of the tree, promote the germination of axillary buds, and increase the density of branches and leaves.
Pinching of cypress usually starts from the end of May, preferably using fingers, as using scissors can cause rust-colored wounds that affect the appearance. It can be pinched again at the end of summer. For broad-leaved trees that are prone to sprouting new branches easily, such as maples, flowering crabapples, and瓜子黄杨, the new shoots with 2-3 pairs of leaves can have their tips removed, and new shoots will grow again after half a month, which can then be pinched off. Pinching can make the branches and leaves lush and the tree shape full.
(2) Leaf Removal. The new leaves of ornamental foliage trees are most beautiful when they first unfold. For deciduous trees such as elm, maple, ginkgo, and pomegranate, the old leaves that are not beautiful can be removed in summer, and new, pleasing leaves will grow after about half a month. During the period before and after leaf removal, 2-3 applications of decomposed liquid fertilizer can be applied to ensure good leaf growth.
(3) Thinning Flowers and Fruits. The flowers and fruits of trees like five-needle pine,瓜子黄杨, and cypress have no ornamental value and can be removed in a timely manner to prevent nutrient consumption. For trees that are ornamental for their flowers and fruits, if they are too abundant, some flowers and fruits need to be thinned to maintain the tree's vitality. This can prevent the consumption of nutrients and promote the growth of new buds.
(4) Branch Pruning. It is usually done around the beginning of summer. The principle of pruning is to beautify the tree shape and facilitate tree growth. The growth habits of the trees must be considered, and pruning should not affect flowering and fruiting. Generally, dead branches and branches with pests and diseases should be cut and burned to prevent the spread and transmission of diseases; branches that grow excessively should also be cut, and if the position is good, they can be shortened to control their growth.
Dense branches should be thinned to ensure proper spacing and to facilitate ventilation and light penetration; long branches should be shortened appropriately; branches that cross, overlap, or affect the shape must be pruned; parts lacking branches should be induced to grow new branches to complete the tree shape. When pruning, it is important to note: do not prune during high temperatures, the shears must be sharp, the cut should be smooth, and larger wounds can be protected with wax.
2. Watering
It is crucial to prevent dehydration in tree bonsai during the summer, so it is important to check if the soil in the pot is dry, especially if the leaves show signs of curling. If such a situation is found, it is necessary to water promptly and thoroughly. On sunny days, water can be sprayed on the leaves and trunk to increase humidity, which helps meet the tree's water needs.
3. Shading
During the summer, when the sunlight is too strong, tree bonsai can be shaded for protection, usually with a common bamboo curtain available on the market, or with a shading net if conditions allow. At other times, the curtain or net should be rolled up to avoid affecting the tree's need for light. In addition, in case of stormy weather, a bamboo curtain can be used to block the rain to prevent the loss of soil from the pot and the tree from being uprooted, which can affect the growth of the tree.
4. Pest Control
Summer is the season when tree bonsai is most susceptible to pests and diseases, and it is important to control them in a timely manner. Generally, an appropriate amount of pesticide is sprayed on the leaves and trunk. Alternatively, you can soak 3 ordinary cigarettes in 500ml of water for several days and then use the water to spray the trunk and leaves once a week, which is very effective.
Have you understood the detailed introduction to the summer management techniques for tree bonsai shared in this article?