Page 105 - Tài liệu Ebook cây cảnh Bonsai Basics

BONSAI CALENDAR 107

MID- TO LATE SUMMER

This is usually the hottest part of the
year, so watering is all-important. When
the weather is very dry, water twice a
day, early in the morning and late at
night. In exceptionally hot weather,
plants can be watered as often as neces-
sary if their root balls dry out quickly.
Take care not to wet the foliage facing
the sun as the drops of water can form
magnifying glasses, scorching leaves.
To limit evaporation and transpir-
ation from the leaves, it is sometimes
necessary to shade bonsai. Their root
balls can also be protected with moss, or
other materials, such as pine bark, which
can be spread evenly round lhe base of
the plant to limit evaporation.
Hot, humid, stormy weather encour-
ages the spread of pests (particularly
greenfty) and gives rise to some fungal
diseases (such as powdery mildew and The full summer sun can be too much for some
rust). So it is important to inspect trees outdoor bonsai. Watch the watering and, if neces-
sary, shade the more delicate trees.
regularly and treat any troubles immedi-
ately. Regular watering is essential.
Summer is favourable to plant propa-
gation, and particularly layering and
taking cuttings. Take great care with
watering young plants raised from
spring-sown seeds. Rapid drying out
usually kills them.
The use of fertilizers can be reduced,
as it is not necessary to encourage
growth at this stage. In fact, as growth is
vigorous, it is essential to continue
pinching as often as is necessary to check
the trees' growth.
Summer-flowering trees will have to
be tidied up as the blooms wither. This
period is often followed by a strong
growth of shoots which must be immedi-
ately pinched out. This time, there is no
fear of damaging the next crop of
flowers, as it will be borne on the current
year's wood and therefore the shoots
made next spring. Pruning these trees
Stooling is a quick way of producing a number of
and shrubs for shape should not be done plants which will be almost exactly identical to the
now, however, but during the winter. parent plant.