Page 39 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2016Q1

for the canopy above and roots when transplanting),
wiring if necessary, and transplanting, and control of
diseases.

Here are the procedures followed by Steve,
the current owner of this tree.
To develop the trunk more, side branches were let
grow wild and the top was kept trimmed back to create
taper slowly. At each transplanting, the largest roots
were cut off and the smaller ones retained to develop
a radial nebari. This pepper tree grows roots rapidly.
After being moved to a bonsai pot, the tree will need
transplanting no less than every other year and pos-
sibly every year. Otherwise, it pushes itself up out of
the pot.
Either in the ground or in a pot, the pepper can take
large amounts of sun. It is invasive only in states with
warm climates and lots of sun. Like bougainvillea, a
few hours of severe freezing will kill the plant.
Verticillium wilt can damage or kill this tree. Wiki-
pedia says verticillium wilt results in blockage of the
xylem vascular tissues and that reduces water and nu-
trient flow. It kills small plants and seedlings quickly
but larger plants may resist it. The disease migrates 5 1/4 inches. It is slightly smaller than the pot used in
mostly upwards and not so much radially. To avoid 2014. The tree is 22 inches from the top of the pot to
verticillium wilt, disease free stock must be planted in the top of the tree and 32 inches wide.
disease-free soil. Disease-free regular nursery soil can Trunks and branches tend to grow stiff and straight,
be used, but when the tree is ready for a bonsai pot and so pruning and training should begin early. Brazilian
therefore more valuable, a mix of 50% akadama, 25% peppers can be grown almost exclusively by the clip-
Hyuga (coarse Japanese pumice) and 25% scoria (lava and-grow method, especially if this method is started leaf
rock) will create a loose soil allowing regular water- when the plant is young. Leaves grow in pairs on either terminal
leaflet
ing and fertilizing. In hot weather, daily watering is side of the branch, each forming a trident at the termi-
called for. In a good free-draining soil, it is not possible nal. To force inner buds into growth, cut the middle
to overwater this tree. It is possible to underwater it, of the trident (the three-leaflet tip) as soon as you can leaflets
especially during periods of rapid new growth. New see it or else you will have to cut back to the first set of rachis
leaves are about 70% water and water should be plenti- leaves, let the two side branches develop from the axils
ful until the leaves have hardened off. of the leaves, and later select one branch to remove. In petiole
buds
Cotton seed meal is a good fertilizer for this tree. the San Diego area, prune hard 4-5 times from May to
As an alternative, a slow release fertilizer that does not November. Let the shoots grow for about a month and stem
depend on water for release, gives a more balanced nu- then cut back to the first shoot. Once the branches are
trition as it also contains the trace elements needed by developed, use directional pruning, followed closely Pinnately Compound Leaf
trees. Simplot markets Apex as a slow release fertilizer by wiring before the branches get too stiff to bend eas-
not affected by watering. ily. You may break branches if the wiring is too strong.
The tree, shown at the top of previous page, was While the branches are relatively flexible when they
photographed in September 2014. The pot is 6 inches first grow, they become brittle quickly.
deep, 22 inches wide, and 17 inches from front to back. Wounds heal slowly. On healthy trees, the cam-
Internal depth is about 5 1/4 inches. The tree blooms bium will re-grow and roll over somewhat, especially
beautifully but has never set berries, even using fertil- if a branch is left next to the wound to stimulate the
izer with a relatively high phosphorus content. Phos- flow of sap. Cuts should be concave, as the cambium
phorus locks up in soil and is only released as plants is thick and will create a raised knot if the cut is not
need it; an excess of it does no good. Failure to set made concave. Sealing with glue or wound sealant for
berries indicates this tree may be a male plant with cuts of 3/8" to 1/2" and anything close or on the trunk
flowers but no berries. The trees are dioecious, so in- seems to help keep the sap from withdrawing from
spection of the flowers under a microscope would be the fresh-cut area.
necessary to make a determination. It does flower for Roots can be severely pruned, left unsealed, and will
5 to 6 days at a time, attracts lots of bees, but sets no not rot but will eventually callous over. Be sure to leave
berries. the fine roots to develop a good nebari, removing the
The photo in the oval above was taken late Septem- large ones in the pot. After severe root pruning, the
ber 2015. The pot is 6 inches deep, 19 inches wide, and pepper may sit a while recovering before throwing
15 inches from front to back. Internal depth is about new top growth. Steve’s advice: “Be relentless with

January/February/March 2016 | BCI | 37