Page 213 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

Plant care directory 213

Watering Use a well-aerated soil mix and do touching the growing tips will result in forced prunus are strong trees. Full sun is best.
not allow the soil to dry out too much. Black budding; if this is done several times a year, Watering They are thirsty trees, particularly
pines thrive if they are given resources. then a very small leaf size can be achieved. during the growing season, so never allow
Fertilizing Fertilize heavily unless planning Propagation From cuttings or seed. them to dry out.
to candle cut. Fertilizing Apply heavily in the growing
Transplanting/Soil As Pinus, above. season, except for older, more mature trees,
Pests/Diseases Fungal problems like needle Potentilla fruticosa where restricting growth is the objective.
cast can occur if foliage is too moist overnight POTENTILLA Transplanting/Soil Every two to three years
or air flow is poor. Spider mites, scale, and This shrub is often used as a landscape plant into a moisture- and nutrient-retentive soil
moth larvae are possible. but it has some ideal characteristics for mix. Spring is the ideal time to do this, after
Pruning/Styling Black pines are very flexible bonsai: small leaves, flowers, and the ability flowering and before bud break.
and may be wired and bent to shape. Wire to bud on old wood after a heavy pruning. Pests/Diseases Fungal and bacterial problems
when new growth has hardened off in fall Branches may die from drought or frost but are a concern, so good hygiene is essential.
or winter to minimize damage to shoots or will generally grow back. However, if this Borers, scale, and caterpillars are also
needles. The new growth—candles—can have happens too often, the tree eventually gives potentially troublesome.
the tip pinched in spring or cut off entirely in up. Lots of cultivars are available, and material Pruning/Styling Branches have a typical
summer (usually June), which causes a second is available for collection from old gardens. growth habit, so learn what it is before
flush of growth with smaller needles and Hardiness/Location Hardy, zones 3–7. Protect attempting to style. Young shoots are
shorter extensions. Only do this on healthy it from frost in order to preserve branch flexible but older branches become
trees and in warm environments. This is a way structure and roots. Provide full sun unless very brittle. Major bending is possible in
to build up ramification, but always leave it is in a small or shallow pot. the summer months. Adventitious budding
8–10 pairs of needles on each branch. Look Watering Potentilla is not drought tolerant, is rare on many species, so prune back to
to prune back strong shoots where there is a so ensure it is constantly moist throughout two nodes in fall to keep branching compact.
weaker but viable sideshoot behind. This will summer; do not overwater in winter. They can be defoliated once leaves have
cause adventitious budding, which in turn will Fertilizing Lightly throughout the year. hardened but this may affect flowering the
increase ramification and compact the image. Transplanting/Soil Every two to three years following year. A patient clip and grow
Propagation Seed; layering is possible but in spring. Use water-retentive deciduous mix. approach may be more rewarding. Do not
will be slow to give results. Pests/Diseases Generally pest free. over style prunus; embrace the wild nature
Pruning/Styling Potentilla can be pruned and slightly chaotic branch growth.
to shape. It will send out plenty of buds and Propagation Cuttings, seed, layering.
Podocarpus macrophyllus
branches from the trunk: thin these out to
CHINESE YEW, BUDDHIST PINE build up structure, not silhouette. It will need Prunus avium Wild cherry As it ages,
A coniferous tree with foliage that resembles almost weekly attention in hot weather to the smooth gray bark reddens, cracks, and
Taxus, although it is neither a pine nor a yew. keep it compact. It has a live vein structure peels, adding great character, particularly
It is often used as an indoor starter tree. similar to junipers and when large branches to the winter image. It also offers plenty of
Larger specimens are available in hot climates, die, you often see a hollow trunk, which adds value at other times of year with blossoms,
where it thrives. It will tolerate hard pruning. interest. Branches may be wired and bent, fruit, and spectacular fall colors.
Hardiness/Location Frost tender, zones 8–10. but do so gently.
It thrives in warm climates; it can tolerate Propagation Seed, cuttings. Prunus cerasifera Cherry plum
a light frost but provide protection once Blossoms from late winter into spring,
temperatures fall to 41°F (5°C). Full sun is best; producing masses of small white flowers
place it near a window if you are growing it Prunus on bare branches.
indoors. ORNAMENTAL CHERRY
Watering Keep it moist throughout the year This is a wide-ranging genus of trees ideal Prunus incisa Fuji cherry This is a
but not too wet, especially if it is indoors. for bonsai, and one that is particulary beautiful tree to work with, especially the
It is not overly drought tolerant. important to Japanese aesthetics. Since it variety ‘Kojo-no-mai’, which makes excellent
Fertilizing Apply lightly throughout the is a member of the rose family, there are smaller-sized trees.
growing season. For small leaves avoid potential problems with canker, as well as
fertilizing until growth has hardened off. bacterial and fungal diseases. Some varieties Prunus mahaleb Mahaleb cherry,
Transplanting/Soil Every three to four years, are better suited for container cultivation St. Lucie cherry Native to Mediterranean
or as necessary. A moisture-retentive conifer than others. The best results are obtained areas, this is a very vigorous tree that
mix is best for indoor trees; use something a by careful and patient cultivation and an has a tendency to sprout on older wood.
little more free draining if it is outside. Roots appreciation of the naturally angular
are slow growing, so avoid heavy pruning. branching structure. Clip and grow techniques Prunus mume Japanese flowering
Pests/Diseases Scale, sooty mold, spider combined with correctional wiring will result apricot This is the queen of Japanese bonsai,
mites, and root rot are possible problems. in trees with lovely natural character. Look and incredible bark quality can be seen on
Pruning/Styling Chinese yew is slow growing for small flowering varieties and do not allow older trees, with lovely natural branch
unless it is in a warm climate. Allow new them to fruit heavily—this ruins branching movement and beautiful flowers in the middle
growth to extend and then prune back to structure and tires out trees. of winter. There are hundreds of cultivars
shape. This will cause adventitious buds and Hardiness/Location Hardy, zones 3–10, available: choose those with single, small
sideshoots to grow, which may then be pruned depending on the species. Protect from heavy flowers. ‘Yabai’, ‘Hibai’, and ‘Koshuu Yabai’
back. Defoliation of internal leaves without frost and intense sunlight, but otherwise are most common in Japan.