How to care for a begonia tree bonsai
Comprehensive guide on how to care for begonia tree bonsai and an introduction to the cultivation methods of begonia flowers, let's follow the editor to take a look!
Begonias come in many varieties with rich and variable flower colors, making them a favorite material for bonsai. Among bonsai materials, it is relatively easy to obtain begonias, which belong to the Rosaceae family, especially for friends north of Qinhuai, where almost everyone has a pot of begonia.
In spring, as temperatures rise, begonias bloom in profusion, the flowers are beautiful, and swallowtail butterflies follow, making it feel like being in a secret paradise, living in harmony with bees, butterflies, and begonias.
However, begonias sometimes have poor growth,烂皮, leaf drop, and rust disease. So, how should a begonia bonsai be cared for? What measures can be taken to solve these problems?
Humus soil with poor growth, Figure 1
1. Check if the potting soil meets the requirements of begonia habits
The characteristics of begonias are drought-resistant, cold-resistant, not积水-resistant, not shady, and喜欢 fertile water but not barren. Generally, when preparing the soil, we mostly use peat soil, decomposed leaf mold mixed with decomposed organic fertilizer, and then add river sand, ceramic pellets, etc.
But begonias, like cherry, grape, poplar, mountain elm, fragrant flower acacia, bitter catalpa,臭椿, and red catalpa, are native plants adapted to the temperate climate of the north. If the potting soil is intentionally kept acidic, it is not suitable for begonias.
Too acidic potting soil can make the begonia bark rough, causing rough bark disease and then dry rot disease; in the hot and humid weather of summer, acidic humus soil can also lead to rust disease and cause leaf drop.
Inadequate ventilation and high humidity cause rust disease, Figure 2
Suggestion: When the rainy season arrives, we need to check if the potting soil is too acidic or if there is积水 (Rosaceae plants are generally afraid of flooding).
Both situations can lead to root rot, rust disease, and spotted leaf drop. If there is积水, we can use general sandy mountain soil, vegetable garden soil, alluvial soil, fine river sand, and bone meal to replace 1/4-1/5 of the potting soil capacity, and the rest of the potting soil can be replaced again in the following spring.
As for the decomposed leaf mold and pine needle soil, they have too high water retention and should not be used temporarily.
Good light and ventilation, Figure 3
2.海棠 needs an appropriate care position in summer
Another characteristic of begonias is their preference for sunlight and ventilation. In the height of summer, if our begonia bonsai is still kept indoors with little light and no wind, its branches become thin, internodes lengthen, leaves become papery, and new shoots and buds curl.
This type of care environment is not conducive to the growth of begonias and can also cause yellow leaves, especially for begonias that need to be补充 branches.
Suggestion: If conditions permit, move it outdoors where there is strong sunlight and good ventilation, allowing it to experience the natural winds and heavy rains.
Begonias are drought-resistant, cold-resistant, and heat-resistant. As long as the drainage is good, they can be placed outdoors without worry. If there are no outdoor care conditions, place it near a window indoors to receive sunlight and ventilation.
How to care for a begonia tree bonsai
White powdery mildew on papaya begonia due to insufficient ventilation, Figure 4
3. Improper use of fertilizers and water causes leaf drop and yellowing
Generally, as long as the potting soil has good drainage, even daily watering will not cause leaf drop, but excessive humidity can trigger leaf spot disease, anthracnose, angular leaf spot, and brown spot disease.
Brown spot disease and leaf spot disease start from old leaves, while angular leaf spot disease starts from young leaves. When it is too dry or the fertility is too high, the stipules will have irregular yellow spots, which gradually turn into completely yellow leaves.
Single yellow leaves are not a concern, but this situation reduces diseases while increasing pests and may cause root burn.
Cultivation position with good light and ventilation, Figure 5
Suggestion: When it is too dry or fertility is too high, water and fertilize promptly. For summer fertilization, there is no need to apply thin fertilizers frequently like those bedding plants.
Using a small amount of decomposed organic fertilizer and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer monthly is sufficient. There is no need to use other chemical fertilizers or foliar fertilizers, or to spread decomposed cake fertilizer or cattle and sheep manure on the surface of the potting soil and let it seep in with water.
Humus soil without积水, Figure 6
4. Use pinching and topping to strengthen the training of shaping branches
Many begonia bonsais are not yet shaped, and some need to be supplemented with branches during the growing season. Therefore, during the peak growing season, it is necessary to take advantage of the strong germination ability of begonias to strengthen pruning and shaping.
Summer pruning mainly includes the following: First, cut off the root suckers and remove ineffective buds. Second, the spring and autumn shoots of begonias are particularly obvious. If the spring shoots are not controlled, the autumn shoots will grow longer, which is what we commonly call the rapid growth branches.
These branches are in positions we don't need, but cannot be cut as sacrifice branches, and must be pinched to control their length.
This can help support the growth of drooping and supporting branches, and the buds on these branches should be preserved as much as possible and allowed to grow upwards.
Third, all branches at the top position should be pinched to restrict growth.
Fourth, if making a waterside or cliff-style bonsai, the growth requirements of large drooping and falling branches should be maintained, that is, restrict the growth of other branches' top and side branches, and do not do anything to the drooping and falling branches.
If it is a dwarf begonia, all branch buds should be preserved. Don't want to thin branches and remove buds just because the branch cluster is dense. Still, let the branch buds drive the thickening of the dwarf.
When to cut the dense branches? After a year of growing, the dense branches have completed their mission around the time of the beginning of winter, and they can be pruned and thinned at this time.