How to Create and Care for West府海棠 Bonsai
West府海棠, with its beautiful flowers and twisted branches, has become a popular choice in the art of bonsai. This plant, which combines ornamental and cultural value, can be crafted into a living sculpture of great artistic value through reasonable shaping and scientific maintenance. Mastering the core skills of creation and care can make your West府海棠 bonsai a scenic wonder all year round.
Techniques for Shaping West府海棠 Bonsai
Key Elements of Choosing a Pot and Soil
Glazed ceramic pots and purple sand pots are the preferred materials, with a pot depth of at least 15cm to ensure the roots can spread out. Round pots are suitable for upright styles, while rectangular pots match the cliff style better. It is recommended to use a mixed substrate of leaf mold (40%), river sand (30%), and red jade soil (30%), and add bone meal as a base fertilizer during the soil replacement in early spring every year.
Five Styles of Branch and Trunk Shaping
Wire wrapping with metal wire should be done when the branches are half lignified, using 3mm aluminum wire wrapped at a 45° angle. The oblique trunk style maintains a 30-45° tilt of the main trunk, while the waterside style requires cultivating branches over 2 meters long. The key shaping period is within 15 days after defoliation,配合伤口愈合剂处理截干切口.
West府海棠 Bonsai Care System
Intelligent Water and Fertilizer Management System
Keep the soil moisture at 40%-60% in spring and autumn, and use the double watering method in the morning and evening during high summer temperatures. Apply soy cake fertilizer (N:P:K=5:3:2) after flowering, and switch to potassium dihydrogen phosphate (diluted 1000 times) from July,喷施叶背 every 15 days. It is recommended to install a soil moisture detector, and replenish water immediately when the value is below 30%.
Light and Environmental Control
Ensure a light intensity of over 2000lux throughout the year, and use supplemental lights to extend daylight by 4 hours daily in winter. Adopt a progressive cooling method for overwintering: 10℃ (autumn) → 5℃ (early winter) → 0℃ (deep winter). The standard for air circulation is to change the air 3 times per hour, which can be achieved with a miniature circulation fan.
The Continuation of the Life of Bonsai Art
Regular observation is the core of maintenance. New leaves turning light require additional iron fertilizer, and old leaves with burned edges should adjust the pH level. Perform root surgery every three years: cut off 1/3 of the old roots, apply rooting powder, and then replace with new soil. Through continuous shaping and scientific maintenance, West府海棠 bonsai can maintain its artistic form for over 20 years, witnessing the natural beauty carved by time.