Page 93 - Tài liệu Ebook cây cảnh Bonsai Basics

HEAL THY BONSAI 95

You can buy purpose-designed
brooms to sweep away the debris.
Though decorative to look at, moss
forms a good refuge for pests and their
larvae. It is for you to decide whether its
decorative value outweighs any threat it
poses to your bonsai.
lfyou decide in favour of moss grow-
ing on the soil, keep it well away from the
trunk and branches. Use a special spat-
ula or a hard nylon toothbrush to scrape
away unwanted moss. In any case, thin
out the moss on a regular basis. A close
relative of moss is liverwort. In all
instances this should be removed from
Weeds can easily be removed from the surrounding
the soil surface and thrown in the rub- soil with tweezers.
bish bin afterwards. Tfyouj ust allow it to
fall on the ground it will re-root and the
spores will soon find their way back to
the trees. With a few exceptions (men-
tioned later), take care not to damage the
bark or cut into the wood.
Use insecticide to treat any larvae or
greenfly you spot in the moss.
You may feel that grass around the
base of the tree looks very attractive, but
do remem ber that, besides the risk of
pests and diseases, grass can take nutri-
ents from the soil to the detriment of
your bonsai. Tt is a good idea to weed
through occasionally, and also aerate
the surface soil.
Use a pair of special tweezers to T he same tweezers can be used to remove liverwort
remove any weeds. This is vital equip- that is spreading where it is not wanted.
ment for the enlightened bonsai grower.
Besides these preventive treatments,
keep a constant eye on the plant and
check the state of the leaves particularly
looking underneath the leaves and the
trunk, since pests may lurk in the bark.
lf you find greenfly or larvae, treat
with insecticide at once. Scrape away any
loose bark from older trees, which may
have started to flake off. If you find dead
wood in the bends of any of the
branches, or in any holes or cavities,
remove it with the aid of a scalpel (like
those used for jin techniques), cutting
down to the live wood, which should
then be protected with mastic to help it
Liverwort has a very simple, primitive root system.
heal. This may appear drastic, but it is It is not always remo,·ed, and can be used for
the only way to stop the rot spreading. decoration around a bonsai.