Page 36 - Tài liệu Ebook cây cảnh Bonsai Basics

38 OBTAINING YOUR BONSAI

cambium cells, enhancing root growth
and the chances of survival.
Where shoots have leaves, keep some
of the leaf nodes at the base. When
inserted in the compost, roots tend to
grow from these nodes. ln fact, some
plant cuttings, such as those from vines,
only grow if the nodes or buds are
buried.
When should cuttings be taken? This
simple question is the subject of much
controversy. Without wanting to evade
the issue, one could say that cuttings can
be taken throughout the year, though
the best times vary from species to
Thoroughly moisten the compost before planting
your cuttings. species, since the growing cycle of each
plant is significantly different.
Although cuttings can be taken from
some species from spring onwards, the
best results are generally obtained using
the year's new growth, if woody enough,
which usually means that the twigs will
not be ready for cutting until the sum-
mer. This way, the cutting will not have
to suffer the shock of major growth in
the weeks immediately after rooting.
Since the first growth does not begin
until the autumn, it does not proceed in

Taking a cutting from a Chamaecyparis lawsonimra
'Aureovariegata' with secateurs.

Cedars lend themselves perfectly lo bonsai. Here, a To help rooting, cuttings can be planted in bundles,
cutting is taken from a Mount Atlas cedar (Cedrus buried to a third of their length against the foot of a
atla11tica var. glauca). wall, which will protect them during winter.