Page 45 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2016Q3

more suitable for creating larger sized bonsai because
of its larger leaves. As commonly manifested by its
Asian Clerodendrum counterparts, specimens that
come from coastal xerophytes and coral rock present
thick-tiny leaves, rugged character and twisted shapes.
On the contrary, underbrush Clerodendrum, who
grow further inland as understory shrubby vines, Top left; On newly collected
display tuberous trunks, smoother bark and larger Development in a Medium-Size or young pre-bonsai material,
leaves with a thinner lamina. Containers (part I) the use of oversize pots
For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on one Before deciding to place trees in medium-size offers many benefits, such
specimen of coastal Clerodendrum which I collected containers (top right), the overall projected profile as fast growth of trunks and
from a rocky coastal outcrop in Puerto Rico a few years and style of the tree must be at least 80% completed. branches.
ago. A coastal dweller, Clerodendrum is characterized Should some of the branches or roots need further Bottom right; Using a medium-
by twisting trunks and branches that sometimes trail thickness, it is advisable to continue its development size container is a two-part
process that allows fine branch
along the rocks. This natural twisting character is to be in a larger container. development, root reduction
considered when training this species, as training one What advantages do medium size-containers offer? and natural taper.
with horizontal, pine-like branches will not be true • Because branch development and the overall
to its nature. In order to clearly define the steps on growth of the tree reduces considerably, we
how to develop a tree with proportional structures, have the opportunity to shape and develop
techniques on cultivation, branch development and secondary and tertiary branches.
the use of different sizes of growing pots and sacrificial • There is enough room to develop portions of
branches will be the main focus. As selection of dis- the tree that require further girth.
play pots is the last step in bonsai creation and given • We begin to reduce the size of the root ball
the fact that it is highly subjective, for educational rea- and take the gradual steps towards its place-
sons, we will preclude this step in favor of describing ment in a final display pot.
structural techniques.

Development in Oversized Containers
Please take notice of the oversized container top left.
On newly collected or young pre-bonsai material, the
use of large pots offers the following benefits:
• Fast-speedy growth of trunks and branches
• Strong steady root development
• Overall-general health of the plant’s vascular
system
• Opportunity to develop sacrifice branches that
will aid us in developing tapered structures
and healing pruning scars, which detract value
from the finished product.
Besides allowing the plant to grow freely, branches
should be wired into place and the tree must be fed
regularly to support its speedy growth. Once branches
acquire the desired thickness, cut back and wire the
new leaders into place as necessary. Please remember
to watch out for wires and avoid wire scars.

July/August/September 2016 | BCI | 43